http://img.qj.net/uploads/articles_module/116803/World-of-Warcraft-Arena-Tournament-2008-placeholder_qjpreviewth.jpg?386787 (http://img.qj.net/uploads/articles_module/116803/World-of-Warcraft-Arena-Tournament-2008-placeholder_qjpreviewth.jpg?386787) World of Warcraft players based in Canada (http://wow.qj.net/tags/canada/2543) made quite a buzz in the WoW Forums about their requirements (http://wow.qj.net/WoW-Arena-Tournament-2008-registration-now-open/pg/49/aid/116780) for the upcoming 2008 Arena Tournament (http://wow.qj.net/Blizzard-reveals-more-details-on-World-of-Warcraft-2008-Arena-Tournament/pg/49/aid/114066). If you gave the official competition rules a once over, you'd have noticed the part about Canadians and essays.

Some players were curious as to why there's such an exception and as it turns out, Canadian laws have a clause about contests: There has to be some sort of "skill testing question." Blizzard (http://wow.qj.net/tags/blizzard/76) poster Drysc (http://wow.qj.net/tags/drysc/12820) clarified the issue - after consulting with the Legal department and the folks running the tourney - and as it turns out, the folks in Canada have two options in entering the Arena Tournament. The blue poster said:

As the rules state: "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 "


The essay is not a requirement for Canadian residents, it is an alternate form of registration. If you wish to register through the website and pay the registration fee you may do so and there will be no essay required. You'll be registered with no other requirements.

Clear as crystal, right? Would you rather write a 250-word essay or shell out US 20? More on the 2008 World of Warcraft Arena Tournament when more updates come to light. Stay tuned.