Doritos announced that eight quarter-finalists have been selected from more than 1,500 unique game ideas submitted to the Doritos “Unlock Xbox” program. With a higher-stakes Unlock Xbox challenge this year, consumer votes will now determine the top three semi-finalists that will revisit Microsoft for one last pitch, where two finalists will be selected. Fans can vote for their favorite gaming concepts beginning now until December 31, 2009 at www.unlockxbox.com.

“As we continue to put our fans in control of the Doritos brand, they continue to step up to our challenges and meet them with unwavering enthusiasm and creativity,” said Rudy Wilson,  vice president, marketing, Doritos.  “Many Doritos lovers are very passionate about gaming, and were excited to give them this unmatched level of engagement and ownership of Xbox LIVE Arcade.”

“This campaign represents a true value exchange,” said Mark Kroese, general manager of Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices Advertising Business Group. “The Xbox LIVE and Doritos communities get to become game developers and Doritos gets to engage with their core consumers when they are receptive to their messaging – while they are having fun.”

 The Doritos “Unlock Xbox” contest challenged gaming fans to submit original Xbox LIVE Arcade game concepts that embodied the bold and intense Doritos experience in a unique way.  From vehicle simulation to shooter games, the top eight entries represent a wide variety of gaming tastes.  The eight quarter-finalists, as determined by a panel of Doritos and Microsoft judges, (in alphabetical order) are:

1. “Arak Attack” by Samuel Gaultlent of Bellevue, Nebraska
2. “Avatar Crash Course” by Jill Robertson of Raleigh, North Carolina
3. “Fowl Play” by Matt Kurtz of New Haven, Indiana
4. “Harms Way” by Justin Carpenter of Ogden, Utah
5. “Have A Ball” by Keith Nelson of Spokane, Washington
6. “Skies Ablaze” by BJ Chavez of Waskom, Texas
7. “The Artifact” by Jonah Masse of Dixmont, Maine
8. “Thrown” by Jason Santaman of San Diego, Calif.

The eight quarter-finalists each will receive a prize package for their creativity, valued at more than $5,000.  And, giving video game fans and Doritos chip-lovers everywhere even more reason to get in on the game, between now and December 31, 2009, visitors to the official Unlock Xbox website will have a chance to instantly win great prizes everyday including a Xbox 360 Arcade and copies of Halo® 3 ODST as they log on to cast their vote among the quarter-finalists.  Promotion details and rules will be available on the official Unlock Xbox website during the promotion period.