[QUOTE]Canadian residents are not required to pay an Entry Fee in order to enter. Instead, Canadian residents may enter by submitting a 250 word typewritten essay comparing the video gaming culture in Canada to the video gaming culture in the United States on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper and mailing their essay to Essay Entry for The North American Blizzard Entertainment Arena Tournament, P.O Box 18979, Irvine, CA 92623. Essay entries must be received no later than March 31, 2008 in order to be eligible.[/QUOTE]

Wait so they can write an essay comparing the game culture in Canada to the game culture in the US? What the ****? Someone pointed out that unless they got the essay out by today there is no chance they will be received by Blizz in time.

In response to this, one player posted the essay he entered with on the forums. I wonder if Blizz will even read what he wrote after they get to the second sentence. Here is the Essay

[QUOTE]The differences between Canadian and American video gaming culture are significant and notable. American gamers approach games in a more confrontational fashion, with the inevitable consequences. The experiences of one W.C. Smith are typical:

“Now, this is a story all about how my life got flipped, turned upside down. And I'd like to take a minute - just sit right there - I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel-Air.

In West Philadelphia, born and raised, on the playground is where I spent most of my days. Chillin' out, maxin', relaxin', all cool, and all shootin' some b-ball outside of the school…when a couple of guys (they were up to no good) started makin' trouble in my neighborhood. I got in one little fight and my mom got scared and said, ‘You're movin' with your auntie and uncle to Bel-Air.’

I whistled for a cab and when it came near, the license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror. If anything I could say that this cab was rare, but I thought, ‘Nah, forget it. Yo, home to Bel-Air!’

I pulled up to the house about seven or eight and I yelled to the cabby, ‘Yo homes, smell ya later.’ Looked at my kingdom; I was finally there. To sit on my throne as the prince of Bel-Air.”

In contrast, Canadian gamers tend to favour a more co-operative gaming experience, espoused notably by fellow Commonwealth native R.P. Astley:

“We're no strangers to love. You know the rules and so do I. A full commitment's what's I'm thinking of - you wouldn't get this from any other guy.

I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling. Gotta make you understand.

Never gonna give you up. Never gonna let you down. Never gonna run around and desert you. Never gonna make you cry. Never gonna say goodbye. Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you”

In conclusion, ask gamers to write an essay and this is what you’ll get.[/QUOTE]