08.19.2010
Got game? Want glory? If you love creating video games, you have to enter Indie Game Challenge.
Presented by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), GameStop and The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University, the 2010 Indie Game Challenge offers almost $350,000 in prize monies and scholarships, including $100,000 grand prize for both professional and nonprofessional teams and a chance to present your game to top publishers and mingle with video game industry icons in Las Vegas!
Last year’s non-professional winner, the team behind Gear, said “The whole experience was amazing, but while there are an overwhelming number of benefits to making it to the finals, and while some benefits might be more beneficial career-wise than just talking to people, for me, the amazing conversations I got to have with people was my favorite part.”
Who Is Eligible
Both professional and non-professional developers are eligible to enter the Indie Game Challenge. Pros are defined as individuals or teams in which any member has at least two years of professional game studio or digital creation employment, or has been credited on a published game. Non-pros are individuals or teams in which no member has two or more years of professional game studio or digital creation employment, or has not been credited on a published game.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Originality – uniqueness of concept
- Creativity – implementation and innovation in mechanics
- Playability – ease of use, fun factor and replayability
Finalists and Awards
Up to 12 finalist teams (six pro and six non-pro) will be announced in January 2011. Up to five members of each finalist team will receive $500 per person to cover travel costs for an awards reception on Feb. 12, 2011, at the Red Rock Casino Resort Spa in Las Vegas.
Separate $100,000 grand prizes will be presented to the winners in the professional and non-professional categories. Three Skill Award winners will be selected from among the 12 Finalists: one technical Skill Award winner, one art Skill Award winner, and one gameplay Skill Award winner. Each Skill Prize winner receives $2,500. One “Gamer’s Choice” prize is to be awarded for best Video Submission and the winner will receive $10,000.
Also, one $50,000 scholarship to attend the Graduate Video Game Development Program at The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University near Dallas, TX will be awarded.
In addition to the awards presentation, each finalist will receive the unique opportunity to pitch their game concept to executives from such publishers as Sony, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Microsoft, NAMCO/Bandai, THQ and Ubisoft. These meetings will allow finalists to receive valuable input and the opportunity to seek commercial avenues for their games. Finalists will also gain national exposure and have a chance at additional prize monies by having their pitch videos posted on GameStop.com and GameStop TV for People’s Choice Award voting.
Key Dates
- Entry Period: May 3-Oct. 1, 2010
- Finalists Announcement: Jan. 17, 2011
- Awards Ceremony and Grand Prize Presentation: Feb. 12, 2011
For more information on the challenge, visit www.indiegamechallenge.com
Indie Game Challenge Founders:
GameStop
Headquartered in Grapevine, TX, GameStop Corp., a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company, is the world’s largest video game and entertainment software retailer. The company operates 6,244 retail stores in 17 countries worldwide. The company also operates an e-commerce site, GameStop.com, and publishes Game Informer(R) magazine, a leading multi-platform video game publication. GameStop Corp. sells new and used video game software, hardware and accessories for video game systems from Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. In addition, the company sells PC entertainment software, related accessories and other merchandise. General information on GameStop Corp. can be obtained at the company’s corporate website: www.gamestopcorp.com.
The Guildhall at SMU
The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University is the premier graduate video game education program in the US. Many of the school’s founders are industry icons, and classes are taught by industry veterans. In six years, the program has graduated over 350 students, and alums work at more than 100 video game studios around the world, with several graduates now serving in leadership positions. SMU offers both a Master’s degree and a graduate Professional Certificate of Interactive Technology in Digital Game Development, with specializations in art creation, level design, and software development. For more information, please visit www.guildhall.smu.edu.
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) was founded in 1996 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of the interactive arts. The Academy’s mission is to promote and advance common interests in the worldwide interactive entertainment community; recognize outstanding achievements in the interactive arts and sciences; and conduct an annual awards show (Interactive Achievement Awards) to enhance awareness of the interactive art form. The Academy also strives to provide a voice for individuals in the interactive entertainment community.
More information can be found at www.interactive.org.