Q: I'm in. Where do I register?
A: Make a post in the mapping forum with the title: <map name> by <your name>. Include this information:
-Your name, or handle (ie: John "Pwner" Smith or Pwner)
-Your email address (if you prefer not to write it then PM me it)
-The type of map you intend on making (CTF, TDM, FFA, etc) and the number of players it will hold (this is tentative information and is used by me to pick judges)
-Your website, if you have one, so I can link to it and give you some hits

Q: What should I name my pk3 file when submitting it for testing or uploading:
A: Please adhere to mapping naming standards like: {mapper}{gametype}{map_number}. IE: ct3dm5, zxydm2

Q: Are we allowed to use own own textures or textures we built or are building?
A: You're welcome to use whatever textures you want, provided they are legal to use and don't infringe on copyrights

Q: When posting screenshots to the forums can I attach files directly to my post or do I have to use an external image host?
A: Please attach your screenshots directly to your post. That way your image will always be valid and never be removed.

Q: Can I start planning my map out on paper before the competition starts?
A: Yes, you can start planning it out at anytime. However, you cannot start mapping in Radiant until the competition officially starts in early June. Announcing the competition early allows people to think about potential designs and/or themes.

Q: Are we allowed to test the map with players during build process (online or lan), for balancing purposes?
A: Definitely, and I strongly encourage that. Anything you can do to ensure that your map is balanced, solid, and perfect is a good idea. The judges will be judging the map on pretty much everything, from playability to overall looks.

Q: Will there be test servers available where people can try out maps prior to the competition ending?
A: Yes. As maps enter the alpha/beta stage and are ready for testing servers will be put up in the US and Europe. There is a post about it here

Q: Are maps allowed to be released as beta's then re-done later on?
A: The map created must be a completely new map that was created specifically for this competition. This means the map is created when the competition starts and not beforehand. You are welcome to continue working on the map after the competition ends and I will gladly update the competition's mappack with your map's changes as long as the map still has sponsor logos in it.

Q: Are we allowed to make the logo's decals instead of billboards?
A: All of the sponsor logos must be integrated into the maps untouched (image proportions must stay the same, no retouching, no recoloring, etc.). They don't have to be on billboards, but they must be plainly visible to all players on a vertical surface like a wall. In previous competitions mappers have chosen to display them straight on the walls, while others have chosen to integrate them into the environment or on billboards. Each sponsor logo must be on its own display area; image rotations aren't acceptable.

Q: There are some rules from the previous competition which I don't see mentioned on the current rule list. Have the rules changed? Someone told me about a rule but I don't see it listed on the official rules.
A: Yes. Several rules have changed significantly, so be sure to (re)read the rules on the main competition site. If something is still unclear please post about it.

Q: Are teams allowed, or what is meant by the term "teams" in the rules?
A: Mapping teams (of more than one person) are allowed to participate, but only one map per person is allowed to be entered into the competition. You can't be on a team and submit a map in addition to submitting your own individual map.

Q: The competition has started, when will we get the logos for the sponsors?
A: I'm waiting for the final images to arrive from the sponsors. I will make a forum post with all the images as soon as possible.

Q: I've started on my map and posted my screenshot with the secret word. A new secret word has been posted but I have no new progress to show. Do I have to post a screenshot?
A: Yes, once you start your map and show progress you must continue to post screenshots, at least one per week, with that week's secret word in it.

Q: Can you post some more information about the secret word:
A: In most cases what will happen is that at the beginning of the week a secret word will be posted in the secret word thread. At least one of your screenshots for that week must then include that word. You can post the screenshot early in the week or late in the week, just as long as you post an editor screenshot with the secret word in it sometime during that week. The following week will follow the same rule for the rest of the competition's 10 weeks. Regardless of whether or not you do work that week you *must* post a screenshot every week with the secret word in it. (If you registered late then you obviously can't post screenshots from the previous weeks because there was nothing to screenshot) So in a nutshell, your very first screenshot should show a nearly blank or very basic radiant layout, and your final editor screenshot will show a very complete and finalized map.

As a note though:
You can post any screenshots you want, but the secret word screenshot must be from the editor. I'll go ahead and make the secret word thread following this post.

At the end of the competition you should have at least 10 screenshots with secret words in them (this may vary slightly depending on when you registered). You can obviously have more, which I strongly encourage.