Tournaments on the MSN Gaming Zone are divided into two areas: (1) host-run tournaments and (2) Zone-run tournaments. Host run tournaments are tournaments and events created and managed by our network of certified tournament hosts. These hosts have completed training that enables them to conduct tournaments on the Zone on their own! The MSN Gaming Zone has thousands of these events in a variety of games every month. These events offer no prizes or payout, they exist simply to provide a fun, casual playing environment for the MSN Gaming Zone community. To find out how to become a tournament host, visit our Host Education Page .

Zone-run tournaments are tournaments and events managed and implemented by the MSN Gaming Online Management Team. The events and tournaments tend to be high profile, high stakes events where competitors can earn official MSN Gaming Zone merchandise, cash, trips, and other amazing prizes. These tournaments and events generally are associated with a complete set of rules that competitors must agree to before registering for a tournament or event.

To find a list of tournaments or events to participate in, simply start at the MSN Gaming Zone home page. Once you have selected the game that you would like to play, hit the Tournament and Events link on the left-hand side of your screen. This will take you to a complete listing of all the events and tournaments currently available for that game. All times are shown in the Pacific Time zone.

The MSN Gaming Zone strives to have tournaments and events available for all the games on the Zone. We have created a variety of different tournament formats and event styles to appeal to every level of gamer.

The MSN Gaming Zone Spotlight Tournaments are a perfect way for the novice player to develop his or her skill set while winning great prizes. The Spotlight Tournaments are scheduled for most games on the Zone and are simple to join. Spotlight Tournament registration opens at 8:00 A.M. Pacific Time and closes the same day at 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time After an hour of check-in time, the first round pairings are posted at 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time and you are on your way to great competition. Prizes are awarded to the tournament Champion, Finalist, and Semi-Finalists. Be on the look out for a Spotlight Tournament on the tournament schedule of any of your favorite games!

The latest and greatest in game strategy and development of your favorite games and their expansions are discussed every month in the MSN Gaming Zone’s Chatterbox Series. The Chatterbox Series features prominent game developers, professional gamers, and other industry representatives who appear for Question and Answer sessions with the Zone community. At each Chatterbox Series event, prizes are awarded to those who answer game trivia correctly or simply ask a question! Check out the Event schedule to see who is chatting next!

Did you ever want to celebrate the release of a new game along with the rest of the gaming world? The MSN Gaming Zone’s Release Party Rooms are the place to be when a new game is released on the Zone. Get the latest on the game demo or trial version, speak with the game’s developers, mingle with others in the Zone community, and win great prizes the week of the game’s release!

If you like to play, play, play whenever you log on to the MSN Gaming Zone, then check out what our certified tournament hosts have scheduled for you! The MSN Gaming Zone hosts thousands of tournaments in all games through the certified host network. Take a peek at the tournament schedule for the game of your choice to select a host-run tournament to participate in!

If high stakes are what you need to complete your tournament experience, then you found it on the MSN Gaming Zone. The MSN Gaming Zone has already given away prizes like a Toyota Tundra truck, Harley Davidson motorcycles, an all-expense-paid trip to Rome, tons of cash, computers, and other awesome prizes. Hone your gaming skills and sign up for an MSN Gaming Zone-run tournament!

To register for tournament play in a Host-run-tournament, check the schedule for the game of your choice and arrive at the specified room 30 to 45 minutes before the scheduled start time. By clicking on the Tournament name from the Tournament schedule, you will be routed to a "description" page that will tell you the format of the tournament and the name of the Host (all certified Zone Hosts have a % attached to their nicknames). Simply go to the game room specified and notify the %Host that you would like to compete in the tournament. All Host-run-tournaments are played in Tournament Rooms.

To register for a MSN Gaming Zone-run tournament, follow the link from the Zone home page for full details on how to register and participate. Most MSN Gaming Zone-run tournaments have special Tournament Rooms created for these "one time" Events.

Registration for Spotlight Tournaments is very simple; just go to the Tournament Schedule page and click on the Spotlight Tournament link. Click on the sign-up button (anytime between 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Pacific Time on day of the tournament) and you’re all set for an evening of fun, friendly, competitive gaming! All Spotlight Tournaments are run in Spotlight Tournament Rooms.

The MSN Gaming Zone Host Education Program is designed to make it simple for members to become endorsed hosts. As an endorsed host for the MSN Gaming Zone, you will be able to create and organize your own tournaments quickly and efficiently! To find out more about becoming an endorsed host for the MSN Gaming Zone, visit our Host Education Page .

Yes, Tournament Rooms are restricted to tournament play only.

To create a Team via the Profile tool on the Zone, follow these simple steps:

STEP 1:  Click on "Profiles" on the yellow tool bar across the top of the main game page on the Zone.

STEP 2:  In the Profile Window that opens, click on the "Teams" tab.

STEP 3:  Click on "Create" on the blue tool bar across the top.

STEP 4:  Enter the Zone Nickname that you wish to use for the Team, enter your Zone password, and enter the name of your New Team. Click "Submit."

STEP 5:  You may now enter info about your Team (not required), list the Games your Team plays (not required), enter your Team web site URL (not required), and click "Save." DO NOT check the "initially close team…" box.

You have now successfully created a Team.

The next thing you need to do is have your partner(s) join your Team. To do this, tell them the name of your Team and then have them enter the Zone and follow these steps:

STEP 1:  Click on "Profiles" on the yellow tool bar across the top of the main game page on the Zone.

STEP 2:  Click on the "Teams" tab, and the "Search" button on the blue menu bar across the top.

STEP 3:  Enter the Team name in the "Search for Team Names…." box. Leave "All Games" in the second box and click "Go."

STEP 4:  When you find the Team Name your partner created, click on it.

STEP 5:  Click on "Petition for Membership." You will be instructed to enter your Zone nickname you wish to use on this Team and your password at this point (this is to verify who you are).

The creator, or Captain, of the Team, then needs to go back to "Profiles," click on the "Teams" tab, and then click "Members."

Click on "Review Membership Petitions." It will say beside this button that you have 1 petition awaiting approval.

Check the white box under "Grant" beside your teammates' nickname and then click "Update Selected Petitions." You will now have a Team with both members registered to that Team.

You can have as many members on a Team as you wish, when you register for an Event/Spotlight/Etc. with this Team name, you will be asked to choose which team mate you wish to play with.

Now all you need to do is go the main page of the Event you wish to register your Team for and click on "Tournaments and Events".

Click on the link to the Event you wish to enter.

Click on "Rules" and make sure both you and your pard are eligible to participate and understand all the rules.

Next, click on "Sign Up".

If you agree to the posted rules, click "I Agree"

Enter your Zone Nick which you registered your Team with (along with the password for that nick), and click "Sign Up".

Select your Team by clicking on the radio button in front of your Team name. Click "Submit"

Select who your pard will be by clicking on the white box beside your pard's nick. Click "Submit".

You and your pard are now registered for that Event under the Team name you created. You should both receive an email confirming your registration.

Please remember you have ONLY registered… you will have to go back to the Event link (where you signed up) the day of the event, 1hr before start time and "check-in".

There will be a "check in" button there instead of "sign up".

Simply click "check in" and follow directions.

You are now ready to play and WIN in your desired Event!! Good Luck!