Edit 2: Apparently the server for VG was down for about 5-7 hours (from 5-6am to roughly 11am) and we apologize for the inconvenience (I was sleeping during this time so the server couldn't be restarted from its crash without me). Due to this unfortunate downtime we will be extending the contest from its original deadline at noon today (April 3rd) to 6pm today (again PST).

Edit: Here's the current submission counts so you all know what your general odds of winning are (assuming every entry is of same quality)..
Come up with the best SC2 map idea - 38
Create your own fan fiction based on StarCraft lore - 25
Design a set of 3 units that could potentially make it into the game - 45

Less than 24 hours remaining!

All 3 contests will end April 3rd at 12:00pm PST!

Want a free SC2 beta key? Of course you do!

VG is holding three (3) contests for three (3) StarCraft II beta keys. And all three contests are actually quite simple. All that is required of you is that you use that big noggin of yours that you carry on your shoulders to put your creativity to the test. Here's how..

..come up with the best SC2 map idea: info!

..or create your own fan fiction based on StarCraft lore: info!

..or Design a set of 3 units that could potentially make it into the game: info!
__________

And for clarification reasons..
- I have 3 keys in my own possession. One came from a BlizzCon 2008 beta key (I've already registered the BC key and got the actual SC2 beta key email). Two of the other keys are from the friend invite wave (one was from my account, and the other from my brother's account).
- Beta keys do not expire if they're not used right away (see below).
+ Show Spoiler +

Hello Kris,

Thank you for contacting Blizzard Entertainment Technical Support my name is Cirilo and I will be assisting you today.

The Starcraft II beta key will be valid as long as the beta is still live. Feel free to save the key, if you have any additional questions let me know.

Thank you,
Cirilo
Blizzard Entertainment
Technical Support
www.blizzard.com/support

- I might have a 4th key for a 4th contest, but that all depends on what my girlfriend is planning on doing with her invite key.

Polar_Nada

United States1548 Posts

March 24 2010 04:11 GMT

i wish i was this lucky. and i wish i was creative HAHAH -___-
although, these are nice contests ^__^

DanceDance

226 Posts

March 24 2010 04:18 GMT

I'll be entering 1 or 2 of those contests

Really want a beta key. Thanks for being generous.

Grroar

United States291 Posts

March 24 2010 04:19 GMT

Good stuff, going to see what I can come up with, thanks for the chance at a key

Spartan

United States2030 Posts

March 24 2010 04:20 GMT

Good luck! I wanted to keep the contests simple and not something like drawing related or making a video, since not everyone has such artistic abilities or is computer-savvy.

Kantutan

Canada1319 Posts

March 24 2010 04:31 GMT

Well the UMS map idea I drew up yesterday with a bit of inspiration from a fellow TLer won't be completely useless then! Might as test my luck :p

Chairman Ray

United States11903 Posts

March 24 2010 04:32 GMT

I will definitely enter!

flamewheel

FREEAGLELAND26782 Posts

March 24 2010 04:53 GMT

Will try my luck with the story one? :O

killstereo

Canada30 Posts

March 24 2010 05:05 GMT

Interesting, sketching up some ideas for new Units.
Thanks for the contest!

Spartan

United States2030 Posts

March 24 2010 05:31 GMT

#10

Be sure to come up with some written details, too. :o

Spartan

United States2030 Posts

March 24 2010 06:38 GMT

#11

Six entries so far since the contests started less than two hours ago. Keep 'em coming, guys.

goswser

United States3548 Posts

March 24 2010 06:41 GMT

#12

Best Sc2 map idea: make island expos that terran can't float a cc to.

ChApFoU

France2987 Posts

March 24 2010 06:41 GMT

#13

I like the idea of a fan fiction. Good luck guys !

Spartan

United States2030 Posts

March 24 2010 06:44 GMT

#14

On March 24 2010 15:41 Newguy wrote:
Best Sc2 map idea: make island expos that terran can't float a cc to.

Or a nat expo that only Zerg can't use.

baller

527 Posts

March 24 2010 06:53 GMT

#15

no art contest? pity, was going 2 use my entry here:

+ Show Spoiler [Art Contest Entry] +

Spartan

United States2030 Posts

March 24 2010 06:57 GMT

#16

I'm quite baffled, sir. Quite.

baller

527 Posts

March 24 2010 07:04 GMT

#17

On March 24 2010 15:57 Spartan wrote:
I'm quite baffled, sir. Quite.

here let me explain:

+ Show Spoiler [explanation] +

YoonHo

Canada1043 Posts

March 24 2010 08:27 GMT

#18

Are you allowed to enter once in one of each contests?

Edit: Sorry, didn't read the rules completely, I only read no multi-accts in the same contest >.<. I apologize, I shall read the rules completely before asking questions like this again.