Kotaku Australia » Competitions

And The Winner Is…

Kym Weathersten — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:00:55 +0000

Yes, folks, The Phone advertorials The Phone competition has come to an end and four observant Giz, Kotaku and Defamer readers have won themselves a BlackBerry Bold.

Hit the jump to see if your entry was selected:

Nick, whose subtle jibe at advertising was a cracker;

Which year did Alexander Graham Bell invent the telephone? – 1876
Contestants need to find a ticket hidden inside one of 50 McDonalds cheeseburgers. Advertising makes people rich!

Wyatt, who opted for a cruel but unusual challenge;

The last clue to the first memory card (at the service station) was what year did Alexander Bell invent the telephone?
Challenge – Dress up as a clown and entertain 30 kids who have had nothing but red cordial and lollies.

A catty but oh so true comment helped Shaun score;

The Pin code to the EFTPOS card is the year Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.
I would have a clue put inside the brain of the girl who was competing last night – because she didn’t have a clue!

While Hayden’s twisted thinking made perfect sense to us;

The final clue to the first memory card was the year Alexander Bell invented the telephone (1876).
As the Clue Master I’d set the contestants the twisted challenge of discovering the next clue using absolutely no modern technology, except the phone.

Congrats, guys and thanks to everyone who took the time to enter. And props to FOX8 for coughing up the loot.

[The Phone]

Competition: Score Yourself A… Blackberry Bold

Kym Weathersten — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:00:17 +0000

Well, we ever so subtly hinted at it, and now it’s here. Thanks to FOX8’s new action/game/reality/whatever-other-description-you-can-think-of program The Phone, we have 4 Blackberry Bold smartphones to give away, valued at $999. To enter, simply watch tonight’s premiere of the The Phone on FOX8 at 8.30pm and answer this two part question;

What is the final clue to the first memory card (hint: you’ll find it at the petrol station), and
Using the comments field below, tell us in 25 words or less what challenge you would make the contestants face if you were the ‘Clue Master’.

Entries close January 21st at 5pm. Just a word of warning, though; the comp is also running on our sister sites Defamer and Giz. So to beat all those gossip and gadget-heads and win the high speed smartphone, with LCD screen, you’ll need to be extra creative…

For a run through of what the Bold is all about, hit the link for a rundown by the techies over at Giz.

The Phone premieres 8.30pm tonight, on FOX8.

[Terms and Conditions]

[The Phone]

Inside Scoop On That The Phone Show

Kym Weathersten — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 06:00:48 +0000

If you’ve been reading the site over the last few days, you’ve probably noticed a little TV program called The Phone. We happened to score ourselves an interview with Executive Producer, Chris Berry, who was happy to give us a few insights into what the reality-come-action game actually is…

So, The Phone; it’s an interesting concept, but kinda complicated. How would you describe the show?
There’s so much to it, it’s difficult to explain. I think probably the easiest way to describe it is it’s a cross between The Bourne Identity and The Amazing Race.

So if it’s difficult to explain, why bother- why not go with a tried and tested, simple, game show format?
Well, it’s just so different. It’s a unique format that hasn’t been done before and I think, purely and simply because of that, it has a lot of potential to peak viewer interest. One of the truly charming things about the program, is that it’s kind of a heightened reality; whilst we’re using real, unsuspecting contestants, there’s a terrific subplot or drama that unfolds throughout. In fact, every episode has a storyline. So there’s a true depth to it unlike any other reality program. It steps into a completely unknown reality format.

It reminds me of that show from a few years back called The Mole.
Yeah, yeah there are definite similarities.

It must have been pretty interesting for you to be producing a reality program that is essentially scripted television?
Oh absolutely. It was a relentless and demanding show to put together. Whilst Michelle, our writer, could start with a blank paper and create this wonderful back story and manufacture these clever and quirky little clues, essentially our key cast in each episode, aside from [host] Justin Melvey, was two unsuspecting people who had been plucked off the street, by answering a phone. So the slightly terrifying part of that was whilst we could invest in research- walk routes and figure out it would take x minutes to find a clue- if the contestants didn’t find it on time, it would cascade throughout the entire filming. Depending on whether they found the clue or went in the right direction, all of a sudden we’d have to move five cameramen.

Speaking of the contestants, from the trailers and interviews I’ve seen so far, all the contestants seem to be young and good looking. How come?
We did, I guess, target locations where we thought young people might be- since it’s a Fox8 program we wanted a younger player. But ultimately we were just pretty lucky that we found such amazing contestants, who played the game hard, enjoyed themselves and provided good dialogue.

Did it surprise you how competitive people got in the game?
We’d spent so long researching and creating this world called The Phone, it became really important that once the game started the contestants remained in that world. I think that was the exciting part for the contestants- they got to forget about their day to day lives for a while, were completely emerged in this world called The Phone and had a ball.

Did anyone actually turn down the offer to get involved?
We did get a couple of people, but we’d just move on. We’d either have to relax and wait for about half an hour to reset everything, because everyone around would have seen the situation, or we’d just move to a new location.

So how do you think it will be received by the Australian public?
I think, because it’s unique, there’ll be a high level of curiosity. At the same time, it’s very fast paced. You don’t have long sections where you could possibly fall asleep- you really have to charge yourself to watch it. Plus, we’ve got some fantastic contestants, that I think people will enjoy watching.

Are there any plans to make a second series?
I think everyone involved in the first one would put their hand up and agree to go through the pain again- the test to that will of course be whether the viewers like the first series.

In other words; note to the reader- watch the show…
Basically.

The Phone premieres 8.30pm, Monday 19th on Fox 8.

[The Phone]

Competition: Score Yourself A… Something

Kym Weathersten — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:30:51 +0000

Okay, so the prize is not yet official. Nor has the competition actually started. But since ~~we ran out of ideas for an article~~ we’re such gems here at Kotaku, we thought we should give you a heads up…

Thanks to the upcoming Fox8 reality-come-action game, The Phone, we will have something show-related… *cough* four Blackberries *cough*… to give away. Details will be confirmed over the coming days, but to win, all you’ll need to do is watch the series premiere next Monday at 8.30pm on Fox 8 and answer an as yet undecided question, in the comment section of an as yet unwritten article, which will officially announce the as yet unofficial competition. Confused? As am I.

Just schedule Fox8 Monday 19th 8.30pm into your IQ and stay tuned to Kotaku’s coverage of The Phone for details of the comp. And if you don’t have Foxtel; Well you’ve got 5 days to get it, haven’t you?

[The Phone]

And the Winners of Our Gears 2 Comp Are…

Kym Weathersten — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:40:00 +0000

A ton of you entered, but alas there could only be ~~one~~ five winners. Congratulations, and probably more than a few dark thoughts from readers, go out to:

Zaheen;

An agent orange dispenser and nicotine coated bullets so they’ll have to come back for more.
Travis:

I would combine He-Man’s Sword of Power with Tom Selleck’s moustache to forge the manliest weapon of all time.
Hamish:

Grenades tied to a REALLY long stick! Experience the joys of literally poking your enemies to death! … Also available for children’s parties.
!!!ORDER NOW!!!
Marcus:

A tractor beam and the noble, ancient pointy stick. Nothing is as terrifying as being pulled towards your own sharp and splintery demise.
Rory:

Whippersnipper + water pistol. Sure, the lancer can trim your trees, but you need the whippersplasher for your lawn and garden. Nothing beats a lush yard.

So again, congrats, guys. And props to anyone else who tried, but ~~failed miserably~~ missed out.

[Gears Of War 2 on Kotaku]

Competition: Saints Row 2 Winners

Kym Weathersten — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:30:50 +0000

Remember that Saints Row 2 comp we ran a little while back? You know, the one where we asked you to strike your fiercest Kotaku inspired gangsta pose, got a whole heap of awesome entries, then took an age to decide a winner… Well decided we (finally) have. And the winners are…

Ben, whose combo of grills, Mum’s clock, plus a crotch grab matched with a bum bag was too much to ignore (see image). And Alex ‘A-dogg’ who we were actually worried would come around and kick our arses if we didn’t let him win! So, congrats. You’re Saints 2 pack, complete with game, limited edition singlet and gold bullet USB are on their way.

Of course, the comp was a doozy to judge and props must go out to Tracey L, Both, Scott and Sam. Better luck next time guys…

Atlus Staging Luminous Arc 2 Battle Royale

Stuart Houghton — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:20:00 +0000

Fans of magical DS strategy RPG Luminous Arc 2 had better get practising. Just a week after the games North American launch, Atlus have announced the Luminous Arc 2 Battle Royale.

The tournament will take place in January 2009, when 48 LA 2 players will be selected to compete for the only slightly underwhelming title of Best Luminous Arc 2 Tactician. More material prizes include posters, games and a Luminous Arc business card holder (er, great!).

To take part, you just need to get hold of a copy of the game before January 1st and register as one of the Atlus Faithful. An agent will be in touch if you are one of the lucky 48…

Atlus Invites All Challengers to Luminous Arc 2 Battle Royale [Nintendo Centrum]

Reminder: Wannabe Gangstas Have Just 24 Hours To Go

Kym Weathersten — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:00:09 +0000

I hope you’ve been posing, because there are just 24 measly hours to go on that Saints Row 2 comp we’ve been plugging over the last few weeks.

Remember, for your chance to win one of the 2 Saints Row 2 packs up for grabs, send us photos of your best wannabe gangsta poses, with evidence in the photo that you took it for Kotaku.

Entries close 5pm November 14.

[Terms and Conditions]

Reminder: Final Days For Gears 2 Comp

Kym Weathersten — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:30:44 +0000

You have 2 days people. Just 2 days, until those limited edition Gears 2 packs are given away to five incredibly imaginative (and possibly disturbed) Kotakuans.

Which means you have just 2 more days to answer this question, via our comments section: What two weapons would you combine to top the Gears of War 2 Lancer?

Entries close 5pm (AEDT), November 14.

[Gears of War 2 on Kotaku]

[Terms and Conditions]

Reminder: Days Left Until Someone Wins Shirt Worn By The Shay

Kym Weathersten — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:57 +0000

The countdown is on. There’s just 3 days left until someone (or sometwo?) wins that Saints Row 2 pack, as worn in all it’s gangsta glory by The Shay.

For your chance to win one of two packs- which includes either a PS3 or X360 copy of the game, limited edition basketball singlet and gold bullet 1GB USB- send us photos of your best wannabe gangsta poses, with evidence in the photo that you took it for Kotaku.

You have until November 14!

[Terms and Conditions]