HG Points Center FAQ
Here you will find answers to common questions about HG Points. Please read through this page carefully before contacting staff members with any questions. Thank you!
In general, what are HG Points?
HG Points are a reward for activity on the site. You receive points every time you submit a review, guide, cheat, fanfic, screenshot or cover art submission. You also receive points for posting on the forums or in the "Blogs" portion of the site (whether posting to your own or responding to something someone else posted). HG Points can then be applied toward virtual raffle tickets that might win you great prizes the next time there's a prize drawing.
How many points is a submission worth?
Until September 1, 2007, the number of points you received from your submissions varied depending on a variety of factors. After that date, in order to make things simpler, a standard value system was set in place. As of September 2, 2007, the points you receive for each submission type (which are subject to change) are as follows:
Review: 160
Guide: 280
Cheat: 30
Screenshot: 30
Artwork: 40
Preview: 120
High Score: 80
User Video: 200
News Article: 60
Off-Site Link: 20
Blog Post: 10
Forum Post: 20
Forum Avatar: 0
Standard users are not able to submit previews, news articles, screenshots, videos or artwork. If you would like to submit screens and artwork, simply contact a staff member and state your case. Only trusted users are granted access to the image submission forms.
If you refer friends, you'll receive points every time he or she contributes content that meets the sites standards. There is no limit to the number of points you can earn in this manner. So if a friend submits 10 reviews for a total of 1200 HG Points, you would receive 600 points if he listed you as his referral when signing up for the site.
Why should I refer my friends?
First, because this site is so darn cool! But if you'd like an incentive, here's one: you get HG Points each time a friend you referred submits content that staff members choose to post. If you have talented friends who are willing to put a little time into making a site like this one better, let them know about the site immediately. The sooner they sign up as a friend and start contributing, the sooner you'll rake in those points!
As an added bonus, we now reward you when your friend promotes the site online. Each time someone clicks a link that one of the friends you referred generates, that friend will receive 4 points and you'll receive 2 points. If you refer a lot of friends that know how to promote the site to new people, you could really build up a mountain of points and your chances at winning prizes are that much better. Besides that, more gamers on the site means more great content to read in the months ahead. It's a win-win situation for everyone...
What can I win?
The prizes you can win change from time to time. We'll always post about upcoming prize drawings so that you have time to redeem your tickets if the prize in question interests you. Best of all, a ticket is good for six months after you redeem it, no matter how many drawings take place during that time. Remember also that limited-time offers may come. For example, we might get a free game and have only one copy to distribute. Check back frequently.
Also keep in mind that sometimes we'll have specific terms for a contest. For example, you might win a copy of a game because you submitted the most cheats one month. We'll always be sure to make things clear on our contests page, so check there first if you have any questions.
What safeguards are there against cheating?
Any time you receive HG Points, a record is added to your account indicating the reason for those HG Points. For this reason, it is not possible to gain points without some sort of an explanation, and staff members review this information before sending your prizes. Points may be deducted from an account at any time without prior notification in the event that they were awarded incorrectly. Even after you've won a raffle and would normally receive your prize, that prize may be denied if a staff member determines that you obtained the points for the raffle ticket dishonestly.
Is there anyone who can't participate?
Anyone within accepted regions (see individual contests for specific details) who has an active account is allowed to claim prizes, unless prohibited by law. Unless otherwise specified, this excludes current staff members. Freelancers and former staff members are permitted to claim prizes. If you do not agree with the full contest terms, you are prohibited from participating.
Any disclaimers?
Of course! Participation in the HG Points program is voluntary. You are not required to use your points that you receive from submitting to the site. In addition, this feature may be discontinued or modified with or without notice, at any time. Rules stated in this disclaimer will be effective at such a time as any modifications are made, whether notification is posted elsewhere on the site or not. You are responsible for checking this page if any questions arise.
By participating, you agree not to hold HonestGamers or its staff and sponsors liable for any difficulties that may occur, including but not limited to legal issues, privacy concerns, and technical difficulties. You agree that your name as provided to the site may be used in any site-related releases, including forum posts and promotional mailings, without compensation.
If you win, you understand that in order to receive your prize you must provide site staff a way to award it to you. This specifically includes a mailing address and/or an e-mail address. Staff will not share the mailing address with any third parties except in cases where it is necessary to do so in order for you to receive a prize (this applies if you redeem magazine subscriptions or merchandise sent directly from merchant sites) or in the course of a criminal investigation. In the event that you have won a gift certificate, the e-mail address you provide will be shared with the company from which the gift certificate is sent. You agree not to hold HonestGamers responsible for any incidents that may arise out of your decision to provide your e-mail address or mailing address.
Any shipments lost in transit will not be replaced, nor will your HG Points be returned. Any physical product that arrives but does not work properly will not be replaced. Once points have been redeemed for raffle tickets, they will not be returned. Raffle tickets have no actual monetary value. HonestGamers is not responsible for any damage following the redemption of a prize, incidental or otherwise.
Do you still have a question that wasn't answered on this page? If so, feel free to contact a staff member for more information. You will probably not receive an answer to your contact if the answer is already available on this page. Thank you for your understanding!
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