IMP out now on iTunes!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you don't see the answer to your question listed here or in the Contest Rules & Regulations, please contact us.

  1. How to join the contest?
  2. When is the deadline for the contest? Can I still enter?
  3. How do I enter my song in the contest?
  4. Is there a charge to enter the contest?
  5. I only write lyrics with no music. Can I still enter?
  6. I only write music with no lyrics. Can I still enter?
  7. Do I retain all my rights to the songs I enter?
  8. If I am a winner, will my song/audio track be changed in order for these to work in the Game?
  9. What happens to my entry after you receive it?
  10. Why are there up to four preliminary rounds to the contest? Why are you limiting entries to the first fifty entries per round?
  11. Who are the judges for the contest?
  12. Is production important?
  13. Will you be providing critiques to those that enter?
  14. What happens if my song wins a place in the final round?
  15. I didn’t win. Does that mean my work is not very good?
  16. Will you be publishing entry profiles?
  17. I don’t want to enter the contest, but can I just send samples of my work for you for consideration in other games?
  18. How can I get in touch with a contest official?
  1. How to join the contest?

    Click the "Bands Enter Contest" on the top banner on any page. You will be directed first to the Contest Rules and Regulations and then after reading and agreeing to these, you can click on the Band Contest Entry page.

  2. When is the deadline for the contest? Can I still enter?

    Deadlines for each round will be posted in the sidebars on this website. Please return to this website often as new dates will be posted once the current round has closed. There are up to five rounds to the contest. Four preliminary and one final round. Bands are encouraged to enter as early as possible since early entry has the advantage of longer exposure on the contest website and potentially more fan votes. Fan votes will decide which entries move to the final round.

  3. How do I enter my song in the contest?

    You can submit your song, bio, entry form details and other information by clicking "Bands Enter Here" at the top of this page. You will be directed to the Contest Rules and Regulations first. After reading and agreeing to these you can then access the Band Contest Entry page. We are not accepting mail in entries. Any mail in entries will not be entered in the contest or returned.

  4. Is there a charge to enter the contest?

    There is no charge to enter the contest. In fact, the final ten (10) winners may receive a share in any net revenues received by Koolhaus from the sales of the Game on the iTunes store. Please see Contest Rules & Regulations for more details.

  5. I only write lyrics with no music. Can I still enter?

    Unfortunately not. The Game requires music.

  6. I only write music with no lyrics. Can I still enter?

    Yes. Absolutely.

  7. Do I retain all my rights to the songs I enter?

    Yes. Absolutely. We only require a non exclusive license to include your song in the Game which also allows us to distribute your song on a world wide basis as part of the Game.

  8. If I am a winner, will my song/audio track be changed in order for these to work in the Game?

    We will make every attempt to maintain the integrity of your work but changes may be needed to facilitate gameplay. Please check either the free or paid version of iMP: Surf the Music currently available on iTunes to get an idea of what changes may be necessary. We will require all audio samples, stems (individual audio tracks of individual instruments and vocals) and midi files used in your entry for inclusion in the game. Having music in the Game is not just a matter of simply playing back a mono or stereo mix, but requires individual audio samples or sections of music to be triggered when required by gameplay.

  9. What happens to my entry after you receive it?

    After reviewing your entry to make sure it complies with the contest guidelines, we will post the MP3 of your entry on our website as is, along with the artist name, genre and country of origin. Each round’s entry will then be available to the public to review and vote on. If your entry does not appear on the site it is likely that a) your entry did not get submitted by that round’s closing time or b) noncompliance with Contest Guidelines or c) in the sole opinion of Koolhaus is not suitable for inclusion in the Game. Please note that due to the volume of entries, it will not be possible for Koolhaus to provide feedback if your entry is not accepted. For further details, please see Contest Rules & Regulations.

  10. Why are there up to four preliminary rounds to the contest? Why are you limiting entries to the first fifty entries per round?

    By having preliminary rounds with fewer entries, this will make for a more focused, balanced and fairer contest.

  11. Who are the judges for the contest?

    For the preliminary rounds, the judges are the public at large. For the final round the judges are employees of Koolhaus who have many years of experience in the music industry prior to working in video games. See Contest Rules & Regulations for further details.

  12. Is production important?

    Yes and no. In the preliminary rounds, the public will be voting and people are only human. They respond to what they hear. The ten (10) winners will have the opportunity to re work any of the winning tracks for inclusion in the game.

  13. Will you be providing critiques to those that enter?

    Unfortunately not. Due to the volume of entries it will not be possible to provide critiques or feedback.

  14. What happens if my song wins a place in the final round?

    There are prizes for the top (ten) 10 bands. Employees of Koolhaus will determine the final top ten (10) winners from a group of twenty (20) semi finalists as voted on by fans. Once determined, the winners will be notified by email or telephone and asked to sign an affidavit and non exclusive licensing agreement as well as provide Koolhaus with the necessary audio requirements, as outlined in the Contest Rules and Regulations, within 14 days. If this is not completed within 14 days a replacement winner will be chosen. Please read the “Fine Print” in the Contest Rules and Regulations for more information.

  15. I didn’t win. Does that mean my work is not very good?

    No. Fans will be voting according to their personal tastes. Personal taste does not necessarily mean a lack of quality.

  16. Will you be publishing entry profiles?

    We will be publishing profiles of the ten (10) winners after the contest has closed.

  17. I don’t want to enter the contest, but can I just send samples of my work for you for consideration in other games?

    We generally work with established video game composers but are open to new talent looking to work in our exciting industry. The main thing we look for in new video game composers is the ability to compose great music across a variety of genres and styles. If you feel this applies to you, please submit a compilation of your work including bio, resume, etc. to: Koolhaus Games Inc., P.O. Box 5087 VMPO, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 4A9 Attention: video game music. Please note that we do not return submissions.

  18. How can I get in touch with a contest official?

    Feel free to email us at contest@impmusicgame.com if you have any questions or concerns that aren’t mentioned here.