the concept of survivor-webcam

history

In the spring of 2002 a relatively small reality game began with sixteen individuals who had no idea what they were getting themselves into. It was this day, March 4th, 2002, that a new chapter in online reality games would begin. Everything that followed, in the weeks ahead, would be a direct result of the overnight success of Survivor: Webcam v1.0. Being the first to 'outwit, outcam and outlast' the fifteen others, Mandi was awarded the very first title of Sole Webcam Survivor and all the notoriety that would ensue. Mandi quickly became well-known within the eGame community and was applauded for her low-key strategy. The game of survivor-webcam had become so huge that the very website it was hosted on, crashed numerous times due to the large volume of traffic.

It is human nature to want to watch the actions of others, and what a better concept than to have it easily accessible from your home, on your computer? The voyeuristic tendencies of human nature are what drove Survivor: Webcam v1.0 into the history books as being one of the most-innovative games of the time.

After all was said and done with version 1.0, the question of whether another game could repeat the success of it's predecessor was asked. Could Survivor: Webcam v2.0 be just as successful, if not more, than it predecessor? In the essence the answer was yes.

On June 10th, 2002, sixteen new individuals converged into the second season of survivor-webcam, barely a month after v1.0 had completed. The drive and the demand for the game was higher than it had ever been to date. Throughout the lazy summer months, hundreds of people watched the lives, the drama and the tribulations of the players of Survivor: Webcam v2.0. Success was a mere understatement this time around. Record numbers of people hit the site on a regular basis and overall viewership was up 28% from the previous game. By the end of the season, Sebastian K., the second person to claim the title of Sole Webcam Survivor was once again, proof of the success of the game. On the night of finale, record numbers attended for the live revealing of the vote (winner).

Now, nearly eight months after it's initial debut, the game is about to start once again. But this time things have changed. These survivors will work to outwit, outcam and outlast each other, to become the Sole Webcam Survivor, in a game that will re-define sw and set a new standard for series. This is the season that will put a whole new perspective on how the game is played. The next three months will be unlike any other at survivor-webcam.com.

concept of the game (based on traditional survivor play)

The premise is simple, sixteen (or in the case of sw3.0, twenty) individuals are forced to work together to build themselves a self-sustaining group that can both understand the game and it's many complexities. In a traditional survivor-webcam game, they are grouped into two competing tribes that will work as solid units to win immunity so that nobody has to be voted out of their tribe. The tribe that loses an Immunity Challenge must converge on what we call Tribal Council. It is here that the group will vote one of their own out of the tribe. At some point the tribes could switch or split into three new tribes, as has been the case in the two previous survivor-webcam games. After six individuals have been voted out, the tribes merge to form one solid unit. From this point on, they are working on their own to win individual immunities, to avoid being voted out of the tribe.

The game may be riddled with new twists that are intended to catch the players off guard. The primary goal of this game is to keep its players on their toes but at the same time, leave them at their own disposal. There is no defined strategy for playing or winning this game. You don't have to be the smartest person or the most creative individual, but you better be aware that strategizing is almost always happening behind closed doors.

The beauty of this game is the lack of rules. That rules there are, are implemented for procedural purposes, to ensure the validity and maintain the fairness of the game. Other than that, there is no rule that says you can't lie to your tribemates or stab others in the back. How you choose your strategy is solely up to you. What you do with it is also in your hands.

Once fourteen individuals have been voted out of the game, two remain and the seven individuals voted out, prior to these two, have a major say in who walks away with the title of Sole Webcam Survivor. This is the Jury and the decision to award one person over another, rests with them. It takes merely four juror votes, in your favour, to be voted as the Winner of survivor-webcam. Nothing less will suffice.

what to expect in 3.0?

Expect the unexpected because in this game, anything can and will happen and never assume anything.

faq's: eligibility - how can i play?

In order to be considered for survivor-webcam, you must satisfy the following eligibility guidelines:

1. You must be 13 years of age or older in order to be considered for the game. If you are younger than this age, your application will be denied immediately.

2. You can be a citizen of any country, on the planet.

3. You must ensure you have 70 days of time to commit to this competition. Many of the players will not endure for the full 70 days but you must guarantee to survivor-webcam, that you will be committed to the game, until you are voted off.

4. You acknowledge that we will use your name, photos, video clips and any other additions, for the purposes of creating and running this game, throughout it's entire duration. How you are depicted and/or portrayed will be as accurate as possible, based on any information you disclose during the game.

5. The single most-important tool you will need, in order to participate in this game, is a webcam and/or digital cam (both are appropriate). Webcams and/or Digital cams (whichever you use) will be used in every challenge, therefore they are mandatory. You will not be permitted to apply for SW, if you do not have a webcam and/or digital cam (part of the application process includes submitting a personal picture of yourself, from your webcam and/or digital cam).

6. If you are chosen to play, you may not discuss your involvement in this game until it begins. This includes no posting on any of Survivor: Webcam's forums or message boards.

7. You must abide by the basic set of rules (ie. deadlines, etc.) that the host sets forth when the game begins. Remember, the host has final say in the outcomes of challenges, conflicts, and tribal councils. If there is a dispute at any time, the proper procedure for rectifying the situation is to approach the host immediately.

8. If you have played Survivor: Webcam before, you may not apply again.

what to consider before applying

survivor-webcam contestans are made well aware that anything they say or do in the game, can be used on the website at anytime. This new feature will allow survivor-webcam to develop more in-depth write-ups and storylines without jeopardizing the outcome, strategy or personal information of it's players and their status/security, whilst in the game. Remember, whatever you do or say in this game, is liable to being put on the website, for the sole purposes of the game.

protecting the outcome of the game

To help protect the outcome of this game, survivor-webcam does not practice the "pre-taping" procedure/concept. Everything that goes on in this game, is live and not "filmed", then released, for a later date.

basic rules of the game (revised october|02)

These are the same rules that have been revised for the new game. If you have read these already, you may move on to the application.

confessions

Like in all Survivor games, there is always something going through your head about your tribemates. Luckily, you can voice your thoughts by simply answering a few questions every other day or so. From time-to-time, you will be asked to post in your private survivor forums. Keeping your private forums updated regularily, is absolutely mandatory and an integral part of the game. More information about what private forums are, will be provided below.

updated images

Eventually, in each of your profiles, you will have a photo album of all your pics from your days spent in the game. This is a major rule. We require each and every one of you to submit one brand-new photo of yourself on a regular basis. The website is updated constantly. Again, nudity and pornographic material is completely forbidden in this game and will not be tolerated at any time. If you are unsure about the quality of an image, always ask, before you send it.

video clips

Video clips make the site more interesting. If you have the capabilities or the access to software, which enables you to make video clips (in .mpeg or .wmv format), don't hesitate to submit video clips.

chats

AOL Instant Messenger has many features that allow you to log and save group chats with your tribe and/or individual chats with your tribemates. In accordance with "logging chat" policies, we require that you post chat logs/transcripts on a regular basis, in your private forums. The Host/SW Staff Members, reserve the right to log any conversations that takes place when he/they is/are present, in a chatroom with a tribe. The host will not log any private conversations conducted between him and individual players unless given permission. The Host is available for basic help on AOL.

survivor insider 3.0

If you feel you have something really good to say that wasn't brought up in a confession period, you are encouraged to send any extraneous comments or issues you are having in the game, that you feel, can be posted for the public to read. Survivor: Insider covers the insides of the game, without diving into any strategy or information that could remotely affect the outcome of the game. Be careful what you submit to be put in the Insider.

challenges

There is no sure way to prepare for a challenge. The only advice that can be offered to all of you, is to constantly check the website. When a Challenge is to begin, always log onto AOL then check the website. You normally have 24 hours to complete a challenge unless otherwise indicated. Challenges will always involve the webcam but other elements may be incorporated (ie. your ability to write).

tribal councils

Tribal Councils are very formal and carried out with the entire tribe present so pre-planning your schedule is required to ensure you can attend. If you absolutely cannot attend a tribal council, alternate arrangements must be made with the host and ample warning is required. Tribal Councils are always carried out live, in a host-moderated chatroom. Somebody is voted out of the game every seven days.

final words

As part of the game, we ask that when you are voted out, you send us one final picture (any kind of good-bye picture, there are no limits) and a short write-up of how you feel about leaving the game, how it has impacted you, etc. You can say anything in your final words. Your final words and final image will then be put on the website front page until the next person is voted out.

ivisit

iVisit is merely a tool to video conference on. It maybe used for portions of the game. (ie. Challenges).

prizes

The Winner of the game receives the final cash prize and any other donations made to the prize pot, by the last day of the game. The Runner-up receives no part of this prize. The actual prize money amount as stipulated on the main page is dependent on the ratio of Canadian/American currency donated, and any other applicable currency rates and/or Paypal processing fees. survivor-webcam, at no time, collects any royalties from donations, for the purposes of profit. All money donated, goes directly to the winner and runner-up as explained.

changing the game dynamic

The castaways are well-aware that the host reserves the right to change the game at any time (ie. switch, swaps, splits and other twist n' turns). The host is at no time, responsible for any change in strategy of the players involved in these game alterations and assumes no liability thereafter.

conduct disclaimer

The Host and staff of survivor-webcam assumes no liability at any time, for any conflicts that arise within the game between a) players or; b) players and audience/readers. survivor-webcam waives all responsibility for any actions conveyed by anyone involved in the game or viewing the game for it's duration and anytime thereafter. Castaways are responsible for their own behaviour in the game within the limitations set out by the rules, when they are accepted to play. Castaways are aware of these disclaimers upon joining the game.

forums

survivor-webcam provides every castaway with his/her own personal, private forum to post conversations, chats, confessionals, forced confessionals and any other information he/she feels like sharing. Personal forums are moderated by neutral zone trap and are only accessible by the host, moderator and yourself. They are password protected and nobody else has access to them. They are your personal journals for the purposes of the game. Once you are voted out, you no longer have access to your private forum. Tribal forums are for the entire tribe to post in. The opposing tribe(s) cannot access nor penetrate the security of these forums. Readers are not permitted to visit these forums either. Once someone is voted out of the tribe, access is restricted to those who remain and the group password, as chosen by host/mod is changed immediately. Keeping your private and tribal forums active is integral to this game and failure to do so can result in personal or tribal penalty at challenges. Reader (Public) forums are for the sole use of the non-players of the game. Any player that posts in these forum could face a serious penalty or even expulsion from the game. Players are not allowed to share their private forum passwords with anyone, nor are they permitted to share the tribal password with anyone not in the tribe. Again, violation of this rule will result in a severe penalty and/or expulsion from the game.

communication

Communication between tribes is not permitted. Anyone caught violating this rule will be expelled from the game immediately

terms of use|copyright|disclaimers

cbs & survivor

Survivor, Survivor: The Australian Outback, Survivor: Africa, Survivor: Marquesas & Survivor: Thailand are registered trademarks of CBS and Mark Burnett.

survivor-webcam

The survivor-webcam name is copyrighted by survivor-webcam Productions & RawbnoXious Entertainment group and may not be used or reproduced elsewhere without the expressed written permission of the owner. survivor-webcam is not affiliated with CBS or Mark Burnett. survivor-webcam is based, in part, on the television series, Survivor and fully acknowledges said copyrighted material, including name, as being intellectual property, belonging to CBS and Mark Burnett.

images & video clips

All photos, video clips and other images, once modified for use with the game, are owned by the survivor-webcam and RawbnoXious Entertainment Group.  The photos will only be used for survivor-webcam related material during and after the game has completed.  The original photo copyrights are still retained by their owners.

website & design

The website design is original and exclusive to survivor-webcam and not based on any other Survivor game website. The design, logo, images, banners and video clips are the sole property of survivor-webcam, therefore, survivor-webcam holds an intellectual copyright on these items, which may not be reproduced, or rebroadcast without the express written consent of survivor-webcam productions..  All site content, including challenges, confessionals, poll results, summaries, etc. are owned entirely by the webmaster and any other administrating bodies involved in this game.

prize money

survivor-webcam awards a cash prize to the winner of the game based on any donations made to the "Survivor: Webcam Prize Pot". Any money that comes into the prize pot is held by Paypal Money Service until withdrawal of the money is required. Survivor: Webcam, at no time, collects any royalties from prize money donations, for the purposes of profit. survivor-webcam is a non-profit game and all money donated, goes directly to the winner and runner-up, once the game has completed. All donations made, are refundable, at the request of the individual donator, prior to the completion of this game. The final prize pot awarded, is dependent on where the winning party resides, current applicable exchange rates at the time of distribution and any applicable paypal processing fees. The final prize pot awarded will be determined once these applicable fees and exchange rates are calculated at the completion of the game. The winner receives 90% of the final prize pot total and the runner-up receives 10% of this prize pot total. This is subject to change for survivor-webcam 3.0. Prize money is pending.

contact

If you have any questions/inquiries or comments regarding this or any aspect of the survivor-webcam & it's website, please email survivor-webcam productions at survivorwebcam3@hotmail.com or robnoxious1@mac.com.