Designers of the realm, the time has come to dust off your drawing board and grab your set of tools as the second gear design contest has arrived! This time we’re looking to the community to offer up their own striking designs for healers and ranged magic DPS.



Whether you’re the type that ignores mechanics to keep your DPS up, or the healer that struggles to keep those players off the floor, our ranged magic DPS and healers could both use some exciting new duds. As with our previous gear design contest, the winning entries will both be implemented in the game as new outfits!

Please read through the rules below carefully before entering. By submitting an entry to the contest you confirm that you agree and accept the terms outlined below.

Contestants under the age of 18 must obtain the permission of a legal guardian before submitting entries.

Rules

Entry Requirements

You must possess an active FFXIV account at the time of submission and agree to the criteria written below. By submitting an entry, you confirm that you have read and agree to the terms and conditions below, and that you are eligible to participate.

Entry Period

January 27, 2017 at 4:01 a.m. (Pacific Time) to February 24, 2017 at 6:59 a.m. (Pacific Time)

Theme

Ranged Magic DPS or Healer gear you’d like to see in FINAL FANTASY XIV

Entry Categories

Gear for ranged magic DPS characters (including head, body, hands, legs and feet)

Gear for healer role characters (including head, body, hands, legs and feet)

Design Requirements

Please create entries using digital drawing software, or sending in a photo of artwork you have drawn by hand

Please create designs that show both the front and back of the gear when equipped

Please ensure your design includes a full set for all 5 categories: head, body, hands, legs and feet. Please include any additional information and/or explanations within the entry image itself (for example, pointing out any aspects of the gear that may be hidden when equipping the full set)

Your design may feature any in-game race/gender combination of your choosing

Winning entry needs to be a gear design which can be used by any race/gender, therefore any entry specific to any one race/gender may be removed from the grand prize winner selection

When the gear is implemented, we are planning to make it equip-able for all races and genders. If no specific information is included about how the gear should look when equipped by male or female characters for example, the development team may make adjustments

You may feature a weapon to go along with your armor/clothing design, but only armor will be implemented into the game.

The development team will assign in-game parameters and stats.

Winner Selection

The FINAL FANTASY XIV development and operation teams will select the initial list of finalists, and we will post these entries on a Lodestone topics at a later date. The final judging will take place after this, and the winning entries is planned to be announced via Lodestone topics within three (3) months of the conclusion of the entry period.

Prizes

Grand Prize: 1 winner (for each category) Implementation of the winner’s gear design into the game A set of four (5) in-game items:

Gaelicap / “Noble Barding” Chocobo barding / Mandragora Choker / Ahriman Choker / Bluebird Earring



Runners up: 10 winners (for each category) A set of four (5) in-game items:

Gaelicap / “Noble Barding” Chocobo barding / Mandragora Choker / Ahriman Choker / Bluebird Earring



Gaelicap “Noble Barding” Chocobo barding

Mandragora Choker Ahriman Choker

Bluebird Earring

* The number of winners for each prize is subject to change.

* The development team may make adjustments to the grand-prize-winning design.

* Prizes will be delivered in or around May 2017.

* In the event that an entry other than the grand prize winning entry is deemed to be excellent, Square Enix may choose to implement it in the future.

How to Submit an Entry

Only submissions via email will be accepted. Please be sure to use the following format and include the following information when submitting your entry:

Email subject for ranged magic DPS entries: FFXIV Gear Design Contest – Ranged Magic DPS



Email subject for healer entries: FFXIV Gear Design Contest - Healer



Contest Email Address

Information to Include in the Email Body Character name and World name * Required Nickname * Required Entry title Comment about your entry (50 words or less)



* You may submit as many entries as you like.

* Your nickname, entry title, and comment will be publicly posted along with your entry when we announce finalists and winners.

* Other than instances when you are using your real name as your nickname, please do not include personal information such as your name and address in the body of your submission email.

Entry Format

1-2 images: front design (required) and back design (required)

Image format: .jpg or .png

File size for each image must be larger than 500 KB, but total email size with all attachments must not exceed 3 MB.

If creating an entry by hand, please take a picture of the entry and send the image via email.

* There is no limit on the number of entries an Entrant may submit, and Entrant may submit entries for both categories, but each entry must be unique and each entry must be sent in a separate email.

* Please note that you may not be considered for selection if your image resolution is too low or there are other graphical issues present in the image.

Note:

* Entries must be an original design created by the person entering the contest.

* Please refrain from posting your entries on blogs or other social channels until Square Enix announces the list of initial finalists on the Lodestone. If entries are found to be posted before the list of initial finalists are posted on the Lodestone, the entry will be disqualified.

Heavensward Gear Design (Ranged Magic DPS/Healer Edition) Official Contest Rules

IMPORTANT! Please read the following rules before entering the Heavensward Gear Design (Ranged Magic DPS/Healer Edition) Contest (the “Contest”). By entering the Contest, you (“Entrant”) agree to be bound by the Official Contest Rules and represent that you satisfy all of the eligibility requirements for the Contest.



North America Official Contest Rules

1. ELIGIBILITY

THE CONTEST IS OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CANADA (EXCLUDING QUEBEC) WHO HAVE AN ACTIVE FFINAL FANTASY XIV ACCOUNT AND ARE OVER THE AGE OF THIRTEEN (13) AT THE TIME OF ENTRY. IF YOU DO NOT SATISFY THESE REQUIREMENTS, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO WIN A PRIZE, AND SQUARE ENIX, INC. (“SQUARE ENIX”) RESERVES THE RIGHT TO NOT AWARD PRIZES TO ENTRANTS WHO DO NOT SATISFY THESE REQUIREMENTS. RESIDENTS OF JURISDICTIONS OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO ENTER THE CONTEST UNDER RULES APPLICABLE TO THOSE RESIDENTS’ JURISDICTIONS, IF SQUARE ENIX OR ITS AFFILIATES HAVE POSTED SUCH RULES. If you are under the legal age of majority in your state, province, or country of residence (a “Minor”), your parents or legal guardians must read, understand, and agree to these Contest rules. To be eligible to win a prize, you must participate in the Contest in the manner described below. Directors, officers, and employees of Square Enix and any of their respective affiliate companies, subsidiaries, agents, vendors, professional advisors, advertising and promotional agencies, and immediate family members of each are not eligible to win any prizes. All applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations apply. Offer void where prohibited.

2. CONTEST PERIOD

The “Contest period” begins on January 27, 2017 at 4:01 a.m. (Pacific Time) and ends on February 24, 2017 at 6:59 a.m. (Pacific Time) (the "Deadline"). Entries must be submitted by the Deadline to be eligible to win a prize. Square Enix will, in its sole discretion, determine the valid and official entry time should any discrepancies of time occur. Square Enix reserves, in its sole discretion, the right to extend the Contest period for whatever reason without notification.

3. HOW TO ENTER

During the Contest period, Entrant must follow the instructions posted on this webpage and take the following steps to enter:



Step 1: Create digital images (an “entry”) of gear for ranged magic DPS or healer role Final Fantasy XIV characters (including head, body, hands, legs and feet) that comply with the following requirements:

Entrant must create the image using digital graphics software or by capturing a photo of artwork Entrant has created by hand.

The design must show both the front and back of the gear.

The gear must be for all of the following: head, body, hands, legs, and feet.

Entrant must include any additional information and/or explanations within the entry image itself (for example, pointing out any aspects of the gear that may be hidden).

Design may feature any in-game race/gender combinations. However, the entry must be a gear design that can be used by any race/gender.

Step 2: Submit entry to Square Enix by email to ffxiv_contest@square-enix.com and comply with the following requirements:

Email Subject:

i.Subject for ranged magic DPS entries: FFXIV Gear Design Contest – Ranged Magic DPS

ii.Subject for healer entries: FFXIV Gear Design Contest – Healer

i.Subject for ranged magic DPS entries: FFXIV Gear Design Contest – Ranged Magic DPS ii.Subject for healer entries: FFXIV Gear Design Contest – Healer Email Body:

i.Provide Entrant’s character name and World name (required)

ii.Provide Entrant’s nickname (required)

iii.Provide entry title

iv.Provide a comment about your entry (50 words or less)

i.Provide Entrant’s character name and World name (required) ii.Provide Entrant’s nickname (required) iii.Provide entry title iv.Provide a comment about your entry (50 words or less) Attach images of your entry as follows:

i.1-2 images: front design (required) and back design (required)

ii.Image format: .jpg or .png

iii.File size for each image must be larger than 500 KB, but total email size with all attachments must not exceed 3 MB.

There is no limit on the number of entries an Entrant may submit, but each entry must be unique and each entry must be sent in a separate email. Square Enix will not consider entries if the image resolution is too low or there are other graphical issues present in the image.



Square Enix may publicly post some or all of the information Entrants provide in their entries, including nickname, entry title, comments, images, etc.

Additional Rules:

Square Enix reserves the right to judge whether or not material is appropriate for public display.

Square Enix reserves the right to remove or take down any content in its sole discretion.

Entrant must not include personal information such as Entrant’s name or address in the body of Entrant’s submission entry.



Square Enix shall not accept and may delete submissions that: (a) deviate from the established theme; (b) violate or infringe any laws, regulations, or rights, including any intellectual property, publicity, or privacy rights; (c) are missing required information; (d) are obscene, vulgar, discriminate, or contain any other offensive subject matter; (e) are counter to public order and/or morals; (f) Square Enix judges, in its sole discretion, to be inappropriate for any reason; (g) contain false or misleading information; (h) make unauthorized or fraudulent use of a third party’s name, email address, character name, or likeness; (i) are potentially defamatory; (j) that are of low resolution or otherwise difficult to see, hear, or evaluate; (k) violate any other rule or condition in these terms or on this webpage; and (l) are otherwise damaging or detrimental to Square Enix or any third party. Square Enix reserves the right to reject and/or delete any submissions for any other reason.

4. PRIZES

After the Deadline, the FINAL FANTASY XIV development and operations teams will select the top eleven (11) entries based on the overall execution and quality of the entries (each Entrant of such entries, a “Contest Winner”).



The one (1) Entrant who submitted the best entry (i.e., the grand prize winner) in each category will receive each of the following items (total approximate retail value of zero United States dollars ($0.00 US)):

Square Enix shall implement winner’s gear design into FINAL FANTASY XIV (approximate retail value of zero United States dollars ($0.00 US)); and

One (1) in-game item package that includes one (1) Gaelicap, one (1) Noble Barding chocobo barding, one (1) Ahriman Choker, one (1) Mandragora Choker, and one (1) Bluebird Earring (in-game virtual items with no monetary value).

The ten (10) Entrants who submitted the ten (10) next-best entries (i.e., the runners-up) in each category will each receive each of the following items (total approximate retail value of zero United States dollars ($0.00)).

One (1) in-game item package that includes one (1) Gaelicap, one (1) Noble Barding chocobo barding, one (1) Ahriman Choker, one (1) Mandragora Choker, and one (1) Bluebird Earring (in-game virtual items with no monetary value).

For the grand prize, Square Enix reserves the right to modify the design of the entry for any reason.



All prizes will be delivered to the character listed on the Entrant's Forum account.



Only eligible Entrants will be eligible to win the prizes described above.



The number of winners of each prize is subject to change at Square Enix's sole discretion.



In-game items are transferable only to the characters linked to the Entrant’s service account. No substitutions or exchanges (including for cash) of any prizes will be permitted, except that Square Enix reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value for any prize listed above. Retail value of prizes is listed in United States dollars. Actual retail value of prizes may vary due to market conditions at the time prizes are awarded. Prizes won by a Minor (as determined by the laws of the Entrant's country, state, or province of residence) will be awarded to a parent or legal guardian on the Minor's behalf. All prizes are awarded "AS IS" and WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, express or implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose

5. GENERAL CONTEST RULES

Contest Winners will be announced within three (3) months of the Deadline. Square Enix shall notify Contest Winners via the email account or Forum account associated with the winning entry at or about the same time (the “Notification Package”). Return of any prize notification as undeliverable will result in disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected.



To be eligible to receive a prize, each Contest Winner must follow the instructions contained in the Notification Package and respond with the information or documents requested prior to the date specified in the Notification Package. Such requested information may be necessary for purposes of filing tax forms with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). If a Minor is selected (as determined by the state, province, or country of residence), a parent or legal guardian must sign any required or requested documents. The requested documents must be sent to Square Enix at the address specified in the Notification Package and must be received by Square Enix by the date specified. If the Contest Winner fails to provide the requested information or documents according to the instructions provided in the Notification Package, or if the requested documents are not signed by an appropriate party (e.g., by a parent or legal guardian, if a Minor is selected) or are not received by Square Enix by the specified date, the Contest Winner shall be deemed disqualified and will forfeit his or her eligibility.



If disqualified for any reason, the Contest Winner will not receive any prize. In the event that the Contest Winner forfeits or is disqualified, Square Enix will select an alternate Entrant as a replacement for the disqualified or forfeited winner.



Entrant must submit their own name, birth date, email address, cell phone number, address, place of residence, and/or other information as requested. Entrant may not impersonate any other person, or entity, or submit false or misleading information; Square Enix reserves the right to disqualify any Entrant that does so. If a Minor is selected (as determined by the laws of state, province, or country of residence), such Minor needs to obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.



In the event of a dispute about the identity of the participant, entries shall be declared made by the authorized account holder of the Forum account submitted at time of entry. An authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned a Forum account by and Forum service provider. The potential winner may be required to provide Square Enix with proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the Forum account associated with the winning entry.

6. SQUARE ENIX OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES

All entries and other materials (the “Entry Materials”) (including all copyright, trademark, and other proprietary rights associated therewith) submitted by you become the property of Square Enix upon submission, and Entry Materials will not be returned to any Entrant. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you acknowledge that Square Enix will own all rights to use, modify, and make derivative works of the Entry Materials, without separate compensation to you or any other person or entity. You agree to take, at Square Enix’s expense, any further action (including, without limitation, execution of affidavits and other documents) reasonably requested by Square Enix to effect, perfect, or confirm Square Enix’s ownership rights as set forth above in this paragraph. Entry Materials received by Square Enix may be destroyed by Square Enix at any time following the Contest.

7. ORIGINAL WORK OF AUTHORSHIP

You hereby warrant and represent that (a) as between you and parties other than Square Enix, you own all rights to all Entry Materials submitted by you; and (b) all such Entry Materials are original works of authorship on your part and have not been copied, in whole or in part, from any other work and do not violate, misappropriate, or infringe any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right of any other person or entity.

8. SQUARE ENIX INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

You acknowledge that the products related to, and the trademark rights in, the SQUARE ENIX® marks are exclusive to Square Enix and include, but are not limited to, the rights to use, reproduce, sell, distribute, broadcast, display, and make derivative works of, without compensation to the Contest Winner.

9. GENERAL RELEASE.

By entering the Contest, you (and, if you are a Minor, your parents or legal guardians) release and indemnify Square Enix, other participating sponsors, and any of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, vendors, and agencies (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, for any claims, costs, injuries, losses, or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Contest or acceptance, possession, misdelivery, use of, or inability to use any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses, and damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light, misappropriation or infringement of intellectual property, whether intentional or unintentional) whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty, or other theory.



IF YOU ARE A MINOR, YOUR PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS FURTHER AGREE TO RELEASE AND INDEMNIFY EACH OF THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY CLAIMS, COSTS, INJURIES, LOSSES, OR DAMAGES DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH THAT MAY BE SUFFERED BY YOU.

10. SELECTION OF PRIZE

Actual model, color, accessories, and features of the items awarded as prizes shall be selected by Square Enix in its sole discretion and may vary from photos or images, if any, shown in the Contest materials and advertising including the Square Enix web site.

11. USE OF ENTRANT’S AND CONTEST WINNER’S NAME, LIKENESS, ETC.

Except where prohibited by law, entry into the Contest constitutes permission to use the Entrants’ and Contest Winners’ names, account names, avatars, profile images, likenesses, prize information, submissions, and/or other information in connection with the Contest or for promotional purposes without further permission or compensation. As a condition of being awarded any prize, except where prohibited by law, Contest Winners may be required to execute a further consent to the use of their names, account names, addresses, likenesses, and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes without further permission or compensation. You hereby warrant and represent that you own all rights to your name, account name, avatar, profile image, and likeness connected with your entry and your Final Fantasy XIV or Square Enix account, and that all such materials are original works of authorship on your part and have not been copied, in whole or in part, from any other work and do not violate, misappropriate, or infringe any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right of any other person or entity.

12. AFFIDAVIT AND RELEASE.

As a condition of being awarded any prize, Contest Winners (and if Contest Winner is a Minor, winner’s parent or legal guardian) may be required to execute and deliver to Square Enix a signed Affidavit of Eligibility, an acceptance of these Official Contest Rules, a release of liability, and/or other agreements or releases. Square Enix may require, in its sole discretion, to have any requested documents notarized by the Contest Winner (or his or her parent or legal guardian, in the case of a Minor).

13. WINNERS’ LIST; RULES REQUEST

For a copy of the winners’ list, send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope within two (2) months of the Deadline to Square Enix at the address listed below (Attention: Heavensward Gear Design (Ranged Magic DPS/Healer Edition) Contest Winners’ List). To obtain a copy of these rules, send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope within two (2) months of the Deadline to Square Enix at the address listed below (Attention: Heavensward Gear Design (Ranged Magic DPS/Healer Edition ) Contest Rules Request).

14. COPYRIGHT NOTICE.

The Contest and all accompanying Contest materials are Copyright © 2016 by Square Enix, Inc. unless otherwise indicated. All Rights Reserved.

15. MISCELLANEOUS

The Contest and these Official Contest Rules will be governed, construed, and interpreted under the laws of the United States of America. Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Contest Rules and by the decisions of Square Enix, which are final and binding in all respects. Square Enix reserves the right to change these Official Contest Rules at any time, in its sole discretion, and to suspend or cancel the Contest or any Entrant’s participation in the Contest should viruses, bugs, unauthorized human intervention, or other causes beyond Square Enix’s control affect the administration, security, or proper play of the Contest or Square Enix otherwise becomes, as determined in its sole discretion, incapable of running the Contest as planned at any time without any notice. Entrants who violate these Official Contest Rules, violate the terms of service of Square Enix or Final Fantasy XIV, tamper with the operation of the Contest, or engage in any conduct that is detrimental or unfair to Square Enix, the Contest, any other Entrant, or any other person in each case as determined in Square Enix’s sole discretion, are subject to disqualification from entry into the Contest. Square Enix reserves the right to disqualify persons whose eligibility is in question or who have been disqualified or are otherwise ineligible to enter the Contest. If you have any questions about these Official Contest Rules or the Contest, please send written questions to Square Enix at the address set forth below.

16. FORCE MAJEURE

Square Enix reserves the right to change, suspend, or cancel the Contest if, in Square Enix’s sole discretion, intervening circumstances warrant such change, suspension, or cancellation. Intervening circumstances include, but are not limited to, strikes, labor disputes, war, insurrections, revolutions, terrorism, riots or other civil disturbances, earthquakes, fires, floods or other natural disasters, governmental restrictions, embargoes or other exercises of governmental authority, unavailability of supplies, components, or material, or any other cause beyond Square Enix’s control.

17. DISCLAIMER

Square Enix, all participating sponsors, and any of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, professional advisors, employees, agents, vendors, and agencies will not be responsible for any of the following: (a) any late, lost, misrouted, garbled, or distorted or damaged transmissions or entries; (b) any telephone, electronic, hardware, software, network, Internet, or other computer or communications related malfunctions or failures; (c) any Contest disruptions, injuries, losses, or damages caused by events beyond the control of Square Enix or other participating sponsors; or (d) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the Contest.

18. AMENDMENT

Square Enix reserves the right to amend the terms and conditions set forth herein without notice; however, the remaining terms in this Official Contest Rules remain in full force and effect, and all rights and obligations set forth herein and any amendments shall be binding upon Square Enix and the Contest Winner, should such change take place.

19. TAXES, COSTS, AND FEES

It is each Contest Winner’s sole responsibility to file winning prizes with the IRS or other governmental entities, should it be required by law to do so. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, PROVINCIAL, AND LOCAL TAXES, OR OTHER COSTS OR FEES, ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECEIPT OR USE OF ANY PRIZES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTEST WINNERS. Each Contest Winner shall consult with a professional, if necessary.

20. NO ENTITLEMENT TO FEES

IN NO EVENT WILL THE CONTEST ENTRANTS OR CONTEST WINNERS BE ENTITLED TO ANY FEE, ROYALTY, OR OTHER COMPENSATION OF ANY KIND AS A RESULT OF THE CONTEST. BY ENTERING, EACH ENTRANT (AND, IF A MINOR, HIS OR HER PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO COMPENSATION FOR SQUARE ENIX’S USE OF SUCH ENTRANT’S ENTRY MATERIALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE RULES.

21. LEGAL COMPLIANCE

Each Entrant and Contest Winner shall comply with all applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations at all times.

22. SQUARE ENIX’S TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY.

By participating in the Contest, you agree to be bound and abide by Square Enix, Inc.’s Mobile and Online Terms of Service (available at http://na.square-enix.com/us/documents/tnc), Square Enix Inc.’s Privacy Policy (available at http://na.square-enix.com/us/documents/privacy), the Final Fantasy XIV user agreement (http://support.na.square-enix.com/rule.php?id=5382&tag=users_en), the Final Fantasy XIV Material Usage License Agreement (http://support.na.square-enix.com/rule.php?id=5382&la=1&tag=authc), and all other applicable policies and terms of use.

23. CONTEST SPONSOR.

The sponsor of the Contest is Square Enix, Inc. Square Enix is a leading developer and publisher of digital entertainment content. Correspondence regarding the Contest or these Official Contest Rules may be directed to the following address:



Square Enix, Inc.

Attention: Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward Gear Design (Ranged Magic DPS/Healer Edition)

999 North Sepulveda Blvd., Third Floor

El Segundo, California 90245