MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Thinking of entering the Indie Game Challenge? If so, you’re in luck – the organisers have extended the entry deadline to October 31st.
“Since we announced the kick-off of the Indie Game Challenge on July 15, the response from the development community has exceeded our expectations,” said Joseph Olin, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.
“However, a consistent request we’ve heard from developers is that they want more time to create and refine their betas and pitch videos in order to create the highest-quality entries possible. Given that the overall goal of this inaugural competition is to allow as many people as possible to participate, the three partners agreed that extending the contest period a month makes perfect sense. We’re confident the AIAS’s panel of judges will have more than enough time to review and evaluate each entry on its own merits to ensure the best of the best is duly rewarded.”
The event, which is co-organised by the AIAS, US retailer GameStop and The Guidhall at SMU, is open to both new and old games, providing they have not previously been released by a publisher. Self-published iPhone games are eligible, as are games that have previously won awards at other award shows.
Finalists will have the chance to pitch their ideas and games to a panel of top publishing execs, from Capcom, Nintendo, Sony, EA, Microsoft, Namco Bandai, THQ and Ubisoft. The grand prize winner will receive a $100,000 reward.
Dr. Peter E. Raad, founder and executive director of The Guildhall at SMU, said: “We have heard from a number of our friends at other game development educational programs, and weexpect a number of student games to be entered.
"The Challenge provides a tangible opportunity for students across the country to bring their ideas to fruition while developing their aptitude for teamwork and collaboration. We’re looking forward to seeing some of the fresh ideas these teams are capable of creating.”
Note: the competition is open to teams that are predominantly US-based. However teams can have members from outside the country, such as the UK or France, provided the team is headed by someone in the US.
