General Information:
Any Cryptic Quests Treasure Quest will begin on the date and time stated in the individual Treasure Quest’s description. All player/participant (herein referred to as "player") registrations must take place before this date and time.
Cryptic Quests’ Treasure Quests are games of skill requiring the player to solve challenging riddles, puzzles, and clues. Each clue is revealed one at a time, and a player will not be given the next clue until the previous clue has been solved. In most cases this will also involve the player physically going to the specific location referenced in the clue, and they must use the game’s "scanner" to search at that location for the next clue. No drawings, sweepstakes, raffles, or any other elements of chance are utilized to determine the winner.
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.
The first eligible registered player to "unlock" the virtual treasure using the code gleaned from previous clues and riddles wins the quest and the real-world prize. The web-based game automatically records the time (down to the millisecond) that this action is completed. The winner will then receive the prize as outlined in that particular Treasure Quest’s description, and in accordance with these rules.
Once an eligible player wins a designated Treasure Quest, it will continue to be available for 60 days to the non-winning players so that they may finish the adventure. They will not, however, win any prize for doing so. The exception would be if an alternate winner is chosen due to disqualification of the first winner, in which case the alternate would be awarded the prize. Cryptic Quests reserves the right to extend beyond this 60 days should the original winner become disqualified and no other players have yet completed the quest.
Who Is Eligible To Play:
Registrants must be 18 years or older. At this time, for taxation reasons, only U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents who are at least 18 years of age at the time of registration will be eligible to claim a prize if they win a Treasure Quest. Non-U.S. citizens may participate if they desire, but will not be eligible for a prize in the event they win the Treasure quest. Cryptic Quests reserves the right to refuse participation to any person for any reason at its sole discretion.
Treasure Quests are subject to all applicable federal (including IRS), state, and local laws and regulations. By registering for a Treasure Quest, entrants agree fully and unconditionally to these Official Rules and Cryptic Quest’s decisions which are final and binding in all matters related to the game. Eligibility to win a prize is contingent upon complying with and fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
Cryptic Quests also reserves the right to limit the number of participants per quest.
Required Equipment for Participation:
In order to participate, registered players must have an Android or IOS cellular phone with GPS capabilities, Internet access, and location enabled. CrypticQuests.com does not provide a cellular phone needed for participation.
How to Participate:
Eligible Players who meet the requirements outlined above, must create an account on the Cryptic Quests website (www.CrypticQuests.com). They must also register for and pay the registration fee for the Treasure Quest they wish to participate in before the registration deadline.
Once the pre-determined date of the quest begins, no further registrations will be accepted, and all registered players will be able to compete to be the first to finish the quest by solving challenging riddles, puzzles, and clues.
Players can access their pre-registered Treasure Quest either through the confirmation email they received at registration or from their "My Account" area on the Cryptic Quests website. Players can then click "Start Quest" to unlock their first clue. Solving the clue will direct them to go to a specific location within the listed quest region. For example, if the quest is in a specific city, the first clue will direct them to a location within that city. Once a player figures out the location, they must go to that location and use the virtual game "scanner" to search for the next clue. If they are in the correct location, the scanner will indicate "Clue Found." They will then exit the scanner at the bottom of the screen to view the next clue that was just unlocked. Solving this new clue will lead them to the next physical location to go to, where they will again use the scanner to search for the next clue. This process will repeat until players reach the end of the quest. Clues may include word riddles, video clips, sound bites, internet research, etc., and some will require players to enter a numerical "combination" to fully unlock the clue. Players must use sleuth skills to solve these clues.
Prohibited Activities:
Sharing clues, solutions to clues, or information about game play on social media or other public platforms is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification. You may not receive help from the general public.
Bullying or disrespect of any kind to another quest participant or to a property owner, employee, or caretaker of locations within the game play area is also prohibited and may result in player disqualification.
Participants may not cause any destruction or littering whatsoever on any public or private land and are responsible for knowing and abiding by all Federal, State, and Local laws, regulations, and restrictions during their quest participation.
Winning Player Determination:
The first eligible registered player to "unlock" the virtual treasure using the code gleaned from previous clues and riddles wins the quest and the real-world prize. The Cryptic Quests’ game server’s clock will be the official timekeeper and will record down to the millisecond the quest completion time of every player. The decisions of Cryptic Quest will be final and binding in all matters related to the Treasure Quest and game play.
Notification:
The winning player will be notified immediately when they unlock the treasure and will receive an email at the email address associated with their account with the next steps necessary for claiming their prize. The winner will have 5 business days to respond to this email with the necessary information for claiming their prize. Winner may be required to provide Cryptic Quest with valid identification and a valid taxpayer identification number or social security number before any prize will be awarded.
In the event the winner does not respond with the requested information within 5 business days, the winner will be disqualified, and the prize will be offered instead to the second player to unlock the virtual treasure, who will also have 5 business days to respond. Should the second potential winner not respond in that time frame with the necessary information requested, Cryptic Quests will repeat this process with the next in line until a potential winner responds. Cryptic Quests reserves the right to modify the notification procedures in association with the selection of any alternate winner.
In the event the winner or alternate winner’s prize is returned as undeliverable or is rejected by the recipient, Cryptic Quests will disqualify that winner and choose an alternate as outlined above.
Prizes:
Prizes, their value, and associated information will be outlined in the individual Treasure Quest’s description. Prizes are non-transferable. Substitutions at the request of the winner will not be permitted. Cryptic Quests reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to substitute a prize or prize component of comparable or greater value. All prizes will be mailed to the winner at the U.S. mailing address the winner provide in their prize claim paperwork. Cryptic Quests reserves the right to not award a prize and/or cancel all game play in the event tampering or other game interference is believed to have taken place.
Requirements to Receive the Prize:
In order to redeem a quest prize, the winning player must agree to provide a photo that can be published on social media along with their first name, last initial, and city of residence.
Except where prohibited by law, the prize winner may be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release and a Publicity Release, and a Tax Acceptance Form ("Affidavit/Release"). Such documents must be signed and returned by the date and/or time indicated within such documents. If the documents are not signed and returned within that time, or if the player is found to be ineligible, or if the player does not comply with these Official Rules, each as determined by Cryptic Quests in its sole discretion, then such player will be disqualified. Player waives the right to assert as a cost of winning a prize any and all costs of verification and redemption to redeem said prize and any liability which might arise from redeeming or seeking to redeem said prize. Cryptic Quests is not responsible for fraudulent calls or emails made to registrants or players not by Cryptic Quests. Winning players are subject to verification prior to awarding of prizes. Eligibility, age, and claims made by prize winning players are also subject to verification prior to awarding of prizes. As noted above, the prize will be awarded and mailed to the winning eligible registered player. In the event the winning player utilized the help of others during game play, that player is solely responsible for any claims they made to the sharing of their prize with those parties.
Taxes:
All federal, state, provincial, and local taxes and other tax liabilities (including income taxes), if any, and other incidental costs or expenses not identified in these rules are the sole responsibility of the winning player. Players winning over $600 in prizes will receive an IRS form 1099 at the end of the calendar year, and a copy of such form will be filed with the IRS.
Release:
By participating in a Treasure Quest, players agree to release, indemnify, defend and hold the Cryptic Quests and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, and agents, including advertising and promotion agencies, and assigns, and any other organizations/entities related to the Treasure Quest (collectively, "Releasees") harmless from any and all claims, injuries, damages, expenses, or losses to person or property and/or liabilities of any nature incurred by any Releasee that in any way arise from an entrant’s participation in the Treasure Quest or acceptance or use of a prize or parts thereof (collectively, "Claims"), including without limitation (i) any condition caused by events beyond Releasees’ control that may cause the quest to be disrupted or corrupted; (ii) any injuries, losses, or damages (compensatory, direct, incidental, consequential, or otherwise) of any kind arising in connection with or as a result of any prize, or acceptance, possession, or use of any prize, or from participation in the quest, including any injuries to person or property related to the transportation required to participate; (iii) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the quest; and (iv) any disputes amongst individuals regarding the use or award of the prize. In addition to the above, each registered player agrees to release, indemnify, defend and hold the Releasees harmless from any and all Claims incurred by any Releasee arising due to (a) a registered player’s claim against any Releasee that would otherwise be barred by the terms of these rules on the grounds that such player was unaware of and/or did not agree to these rules.
Limitation of Liability:
The Releasees are not responsible for (i) late, lost, delayed, damaged, incomplete, illegible, misdirected or undeliverable prize claim notification documents, responses, or other correspondence, whether through the platform, by e-mail or postal mail or otherwise; (ii) theft, destruction, unauthorized access to or alterations of prize claim documents or the prize itself; or (iii) phone, cellular, electrical, network, computer, hardware, software program, or transmission malfunctions, failures or difficulties that impact a registered players ability to play and/or win a quest or claim a prize.
Prizes are awarded "as is, where is," without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including without limitation any warranty of merchantability or suitability for a particular purpose. Except where prohibited, by participating in the Treasure Quest and each registered player agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the prize awarded, determination of a winner, or any other matter relating to the quest that cannot be resolved between such registered player and any Releasees shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and (ii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with registering for the quest, but in no event attorneys’ fees. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event shall any registered player seek or be entitled to rescission, injunctive or other equitable relief or to enjoin or restrain the production, distribution, exhibition, operation or other exploitation of Cryptic Quests’ platform, the quests, any website, content, advertising or other materials used, displayed or issued in connection with the quest, and such player’s rights and remedies in any such event shall be strictly limited to the right to recover money damages, if any, in an action at law.
IN NO EVENT WILL ANY OF THE RELEASEES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOSS OF USE, DATA, BUSINESS OR PROFITS) ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST, WHETHER SUCH LIABILITY ARISES FROM ANY CLAIM BASED UPON CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, AND WHETHER OR NOT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO ALL REGISTERED PLAYERS.
Publicity Release:
Except where prohibited, a registered player’s participation in the Treasure Quest constitutes consent to the perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free use of his/her name, photo, and/or likeness, biographical information, entry, and statements attributed to him/her by any Releasee for advertising and promotional purposes, including without limitation, inclusion on Cryptic Quest’s website, in its e-mail blasts and any other media chosen by Cryptic Quest without compensation.
General Conditions:
By participating in a Treasure Quest, each registered player acknowledges that he/she has read these Official Rules and agrees to be bound by them and by the decisions of Cryptic Quests, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to the Treasure Quest. Non-compliance with these Official Rules may result in disqualification and all associated player progress will be void. Cryptic Quests reserves the right, in its sole discretion and without liability to the registered player, to cancel, modify or suspend the Treasure Quest in whole or in part, in the event of fraud, technical or other difficulties or if the integrity of the quest is compromised. Cryptic Quests also reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel the Treasure Quest due to a lack of sufficient participation, in which case all registered participants will be refunded their registration fees. Cryptic Quests reserves the right to disqualify any registered player as determined by Cryptic Quests, in its sole discretion and without liability to the registered player. In the event that no players have progressed past certain clues, Cryptic Quests reserves the right to offer additional hints, clues, and pointers during game play or to substitute entire clues.
The Treasure Quest is subject to these Official Rules and all applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations. The Treasure Quest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. Each Treasure Quest will take place solely within the area designated in the quest description. All disputes, issues and/or questions concerning the quest, including the rights and obligations of the registered player and Cryptic Quests in connection with the Treasure Quest, or the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Missouri without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of Missouri or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Missouri. Any legal actions, suits or proceedings related to the Treasure Quest (whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise) will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Taney County, Missouri, and each registered player accepts and submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts with respect to any legal actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or related to the Treasure Quest. Cryptic Quests may substitute prizes of equivalent value, amend the rules, or discontinue the quest at any time for any reason. Cryptic Quests disclaims any responsibility to notify registered players of any aspect related to the conduct of the quest.
Privacy and Personal Information:
Cryptic Quests may collect personal data about registrants online and use such data in accordance with Cryptic Quests’ privacy policy at https://www.crypticquests.com/policies/privacy ("Privacy Policy") and as set forth in these Official Rules. Please review these Official Rules and the Privacy Policy carefully. By participating in the Treasure Quest, entrants hereby agree to such collection and use of their personal information by Cryptic Quests, either collectively or individually, and acknowledge that they have read and accepted these Official Rules and the Privacy Policy.
Force Majeure:
Without limiting any other provision in these Official Rules, in the event that any of the registered player’s activities or the Releasees’ operations or activities are affected, as determined by Cryptic Quests, in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, by reason of any acts of God, any action, regulation, order or request by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not the action, regulations, order or request proves to be invalid), equipment failure, threatened terrorist acts, terrorist acts, air raid, blackout, act of public enemy, earthquake, war (declared or undeclared), fire, flood, epidemic or public health crisis (e.g. Covid-19), explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal) labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot, or any law, rule, regulation, order or other action adopted or taken by any governmental, federal, state or local government authority, or any other cause, whether or not specifically mentioned above, subject to any governmental approval that may be required, Cryptic Quests shall have the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the quest, and no Releasees shall be responsible or liable to any registered player or prize winner. Cryptic Quests is not responsible for electronic communications that are undeliverable as a result of any form of active or passive filtering (e.g. spam or junk filters) of any kind, or insufficient space in entrant’s e-mail account to receive e-mail messages.
Miscellaneous:
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Official Rules shall otherwise remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein. Cryptic Quests’ failure to (or decision not to) enforce any provision in these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other provision. In the event there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between disclosures or other statements contained in any quest-related materials and these Official Rules, these Official Rules shall prevail, govern, and control and the discrepancy will be resolved in Cryptic Quests’ sole and absolute discretion.
Refunds:
Registration fees will be refunded in the event Cryptic Quests, in its sole discretion, cancels the Treasure Quest for any reason. Otherwise, registration fees will only be refunded under exceptional circumstances. Such circumstances will be at the sole discretion of Cryptic Quests and may include but are not limited to: damage to the game play area from extreme weather events (hurricane, tornado, earthquake), disruptive construction, low participation, etc..
In the event you register for the Treasure Quest and pay the registration fee but are unable to participate through no fault of your own (e.g. hospitalization or other urgent circumstance as reasonably evidenced), you can request a refund of your registration fee within 30 days of the Treasure Quest start date by sending Cryptic Quests a written request at: support@crypticquests.com. Please specify "Request for Refund" in the communication along with a description and evidence of the circumstance that prohibited you from participating. It will be at Cryptic Quests sole discretion whether or not to refund.
Revised 3/24/2021