Q: What is this new phase of DEWmocracy all about?
A: DEWmocracy has shifted from the online creation of three drinks to the real world promotion of these winners into becoming the new Mountain Dew. Countless Seekers played the games to create their perfect Dew; now the stakes get even higher, and the audience gets even bigger. Whether you took part in the active gaming phase of DEWmocracy or not, your voice still has a crucial role to play in determining which of the final candidates – Mountain Dew Supernova, Mountain Dew Revolution, or Mountain Dew Voltage – will end up the winner in this taste election. Pick your favorite drink, dive into our campaign toolkit and drum up support throughout your virtual social network before the final National Vote.

Back to Topics

Q: Once I’ve settled on my drink candidate, how do I use the campaign tools?
A: Each of the drink pages gives you direct access to the full suite of customized tools – for starters that’s the email template, campaign button, bumper sticker and poster. The code for any piece appears just after the word “Embed” beneath the creative on the drink page. Simply highlight all of the code then press Ctrl-C to copy and Ctrl-V (or Command-C/Command-V if you’re on a Mac) to paste this code anywhere that allows HTML. Post a Badge, Poster or Bumper Sticker to your MySpace page, blog or website, even a friend’s comment wall!

To post a campaign piece to your Facebook page, all you need is the My HTML application. If you don’t have it already installed, just load the following URL (http://apps.facebook.com/my-html/), log in to your account, and click on Add My HTML. Follow simple instructions to add this app to your profile. Once in the My HTML app, paste the code for your campaign piece into the entry field then click Publish to publish it to your profile. Spreading the word of your favorite new Mountain Dew candidate and recruiting more supporters couldn’t be easier.

Back to Topics

Q: How do I become a Recruiter of the Week?
A: Every person you recruit moves you closer to this prized recognition on the DEWmocracy site. The campaign tools you put out to spread the word of your favorite new Dew leads friends back to the site; each visitor recruited by you earns you points – at a rate of one click per user per day. While you should encourage your friends to visit the site as often as possible, they can only net you one point per day; similarly, when they become recruiters themselves, they will only earn one point per recruit per day. The more points you earn, the higher you move up the leader board towards being featured as "Recruiter of the Week."

Back to Topics

Q: Is there a way I can actually taste the three new Mountain Dew drinks before the final vote?
A: As part of the move from a virtual gaming experience to a real world election, all three candidates - Mountain Dew Supernova, Mountain Dew Revolution, and Mountain Dew Voltage – will be made available on store shelves across the country this summer before the final vote. Seekers, recruiters and all Mountain Dew lovers in general will get to meet their creations face to face, and taste to taste, before casting a vote. After the election results are in, the ultimate winner, the People’s Dew, will remain on the store shelves and be officially recognized as an honored member of the Mountain Dew lineup.

Back to Topics

Q: What does the name DEWmocracy mean?
A: In the great American tradition, we have set out to create a drink not only for the people, but by the people. That’s why in appreciation of your loyalty, Mountain Dew decided it was time to create “The People’s Dew” – and to give you a great, interactive experience along the way. Your voice will not only be heard, but by sometime later this year, it just might be on the shelves of your local store!

Back to Topics

Q: What’s the goal of DEWmocracy?
A: Ultimately, DEWmocracy is about allowing consumers to not only help create the next Mountain Dew line extension (inviting them to determine the flavor, name and look of the next drink) but to encourage them to campaign for one of the three final candidates before the national election. Beyond that, our goal is to provide loyal supporters a rich, involving, online experience that serves to bring the community closer together by way of taking them on a journey from deep in an original, mythic world all the way back to their store shelves.

Back to Topics

Q: Were we creating the next Mountain Dew^® or changing the current Mountain Dew^®?
A: DEWmocracy was an interactive journey that empowered you to help create the next line extension of Mountain Dew^®, an original addition to the Mountain Dew^® family. Of course, all current products will still be available for you to enjoy as well.

Back to Topics

Q: Could you create your drink without participating in the myth and the game?
A: Yes, you could. The first task in every chamber was to create the drink, so that's the only thing you had to do. Since these tasks resided within the experience, you will had to login and enter each Chamber, but you could have choosen your drink attributes as soon as you entered without having had to play any of the other games.

You could then exit the Chamber and return when the next one opened to add another dimension to your drink.

Fire Chamber: you chose drink's Flavor & Boost
River Chamber: you chose drink's Color
Jungle Chamber: you chose drink's Name
Forest Chamber: you chose drink's Logo
Ocean Chamber: you chose drink's Label
Desert Chamber: you chose drink's Tag Line
Mountain Chamber:you voted on the next Mountain Dew^®

Back to Topics

Q: How did the drink creation process actually work?
A: The winning drink was created from game play itself. The first task in each Chamber was tied to determining a unique feature of the drink (Chambers 1-3 invited you to pick Flavor & Boost, Color, and Name, respectively). The three most popular combinations among game players rose to the top, and gamers were aligned with one of these three teams. The next three Chambers allowed players within each team to vote on their drink's logo, label and tag line. At the start of the 7th and final Chamber, each team voted for their winning drink.

Once all three drink options were determined, a final, nationwide vote among all consumers will determine the next Mountain Dew^® line extension.

Back to Topics

Q: Will the new Mountain Dew^® product actually hit the shelves?
A: Indeed it will – for what is DEWmocracy unless it makes a difference in the real world? The winning drink, as decided by vote, will become part of the Mountain Dew^® family and appear in stores nationwide.

Back to Topics

Q: If my design won, would I have received any compensation?
A: Seekers took reward in the journey itself. In other words, well, No; there was no financial compensation. Yet you alone would be able to brag to friends that the Mountain Dew^® quenching their thirst was created along your epic journey.

Back to Topics

Q: Will the bottle/can really look like the winning design created by users?
A: Mountain Dew^® will make every effort to have the actual winning packaging reflect the design created by game players. While packaging constraints may necessitate tweaks to the concept, the spirit of the winning design will stay intact.

Back to Topics

Q: Could I have entered a drink and design combination without going through the chambers?
A: Drink and design packages were created through game play. That being said, this only required completing the first task of each Chamber. You were not required to play any more of the games or to accumulate more points, though we did encourage you to explore the Chambers to get the most out of the experience.

Back to Topics

Q: Would completing all game play have increased the odds of my design winning?
A: While completing game play didn't directly increase your odds, the more points accumulated through game play increased the profile and visibility of your design on your team's Drink Gallery, thus improving its chances of garnering more votes. The more games you played, the more times you played them, and the higher scores you achieved all earned you valuable points.

Back to Topics

Q: How do I play the games?
A: After log in, you are ready to enter DEWmocracy. An introductory video sets up the storyline that will direct you through seven interactive Chambers. Each Chamber is home to a Guardian who challenges you to two or three mini-games in order to meet the Master of the Chamber. If you are successful, the Master will appear and offer two challenging games of his or her own that will complete the unveiling of the Chamber's myth.

Individual games are for you to discover by exploring each of the five or six scenes within a Chamber. On rolling over various icons, you initiate "Tool Tips,' a small window that serves as the portal to the game. Clicking on the box activates a game window that provides specific game play instructions. On completing a game, you can either play again or return to the Chamber to move deeper into the experience.

Back to Topics

Q: How did the scoring work?
A: Points were accumulated as a result of game play as you moved through Chambers over the course of your journey. Scoring varied from game to game depending on any number of criteria, such on the complexity of the challenge, the level you were attempting, and "coins" won. Points accumulated as you played. Of course, if you signed off and came back later, your point totals stayed intact.

Back to Topics

Q: Did the score translate into anything?
A: Points won in DEWmocracy didn't translate into any merchandise opportunities in the outside world but did contribute to your goal of creating the next Mountain Dew^®. The more points accumulated through game play increased the profile and visibility of your design on your team's Drink Gallery, thus improving its chances of garnering more votes to be your team's representative Elixir.

Back to Topics

Q: How do I keep track of my progress and my score?
A: Registering for DEWmocracy initiates a personal Gamer Card that remains active throughout your journey. It keeps track of your total points and your rank among gamers, as well as where you've been and what games you've attempted and completed. To check your status, your Gamer Card can be accessed at any time during game play from the navigation bar.

Back to Topics

Q: 18. If I've completed all levels of all the games, is there a way to improve my ranking?
A: Ranking among game players is determined by two factors: points accumulated and the time it takes a player to master the games. If you have accumulated the maximum number of points while completing all games in a Chamber and wish to move up the leader board, you can replay games to improve your time. To do so, simply erase individual results by clicking the “Reset” button next to any specific game on your Gamer Card. You are now free to play that game again to attempt to record another perfect score in a faster time.

Back to Topics

Q: How do I find my way around this world?
A: On entering a Chamber, clicking on small arrows at the sides, top or bottom will allow you to navigate to the next or previous scene. At any time you can jump within a Chamber, or move from Chamber to Chamber, by selecting “Map” from the bottom navigation. This will call up a window offering direct access to any location in all open Chambers, including the Chamber you are currently within.
The Map window shows you which locations are locked or open for the Chamber you're in and what games you have completed along with points won on that individual game. In addition you are presented with an abbreviated version of your Gamer Card with your total points, ranking, and Drink Creation status.

Back to Topics

Q: How does the Map window work, what does it tell me, and how can I navigate using it?
A: The Map window shows you which locations are locked or open for the Chamber you're in and what games you have completed along with points won on that individual game. In addition you are presented with an abbreviated version of your Gamer Card with your total points and ranking.
The Map can be read as follows:

1. Name of the Chamber
2. Clicking on one of the 7 colored tiles allows you to navigate between chambers. Once you have navigated to a chosen Chamber, the Map will display that Chamber's outline of scenes and games. Chambers that are open will be highlighted. You will not be able to navigate to a chamber that is not yet open.
3. Click on specific scenes from the selected Chamber to move directly to that location (if the Chamber is open). These scenes name the game within that area along with whether or not the game is open or locked.
4. This abbreviated Gamer Card shows your current Point total, Ranking, and number of Dew Drops collected.

Q: What happens if I can't complete a Chamber?
A: If you can't complete a Chamber, you can still continue on your journey into new Chambers. You are also free at any time to return to earlier Chambers to try any games not yet completed to earn more points and to learn the rest of the Master's story.

Back to Topics

Q: Can I play the games, or go through the Chambers, out of order?
A: You can go through the Chambers in any order you choose, though the journey will make the most sense when played in the original progression. Within each Chamber, only certain games are "unlocked" depending on which games you've successfully completed. You are also free to move to any later without playing any of the previous Guardian or Master games.

For example, the Red Chamber offers two Guardian Games. You can attempt either of these games but only after completing both can you move on to meet the Master and attempt his two games. You are free at all times to return to earlier Chambers to replay games not yet completed. All of these efforts will result in earning more points.

Back to Topics

Q: Are there any cheats for the games?
A: There are no official cheats, but as in all game play, first-hand knowledge delivers the greatest edge to players. To learn more about working your way through the Chambers, we encourage you to visit the Message Boards to compare your DEWmocracy experience with other Seekers.

Back to Topics