Check here often for the latest news and updates on the 2011 Indie Game Challenge.
May 29, 2010
Check out some of the pitch videos contest entrants have sent us with their games.
Think you can do better!? Then enter your game and pitch video in the Indie Game Challenge today!
Pitch Video 1 - Catbox Fever
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9cBvIZnhOI
Pitch Video 2 - Housework
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fANvGgOMLfc
Pitch Video 3 - Makeover Master
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ3Qsgsa1X4
Pitch Video 4 - Office Worker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EHyFapDafE
May 3rd 2010
SECOND ANNUAL INDIE GAME CHALLENGE GOES GLOBAL, KICKS-OFF WITH MORE THAN $350,000 IN PRIZES, SCHOLARSHIPS AT STAKE
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – (May 3, 2010) – The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) and The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University today announced the kickoff of the second annual Indie Game Challenge. The competition has been expanded to include international professional and amateur video game developers competing in different categories for two grand prizes of $100,000 each plus additional prize monies and scholarships in excess of $350,000.
The 2011 Indie Game Challenge is open for entries now through Oct. 1, 2010. Teams are required to register at www.IndieGameChallenge.com and submit a working beta copy of their game as well as a pitch video. Complete details and official rules can be found on the website.
Apart from the separate pro and non-pro grand prizes, the competition offers teams the opportunity to win additional prizes as well as follow their dreams of creating the industry's next big video game or gameplay innovation.
Officials with the AIAS, GameStop and The Guildhall at SMU expect the second Indie Game Challenge to attract a far greater number of top quality entries now that more people in the development community are aware of the competition.
"As if the two $100,000 grand prize awards weren't enough, the Indie Game Challenge also offers teams the chance to compete for monetary awards for technical, art and gameplay achievements and a scholarship to The Guildhall at SMU valued at more than $50,000," said Mike Hogan, GameStop's senior vice president of marketing. "In addition, all finalists will receive valuable exposure by having their pitch videos posted on GameStop TV, which is broadcast daily in more than 4,500 locations across the U.S., as well as on the Indie Game Challenge website. More importantly, finalists will be given the priceless opportunity to present their games to established industry experts at the D.I.C.E Summit in Las Vegas next February."
Josesph Olin, president of AIAS, said the inaugural Indie Game Challenge was rewarding beyond the three partners' expectations. "The number of games submitted was surpassed by the overall quality of the 12 finalists. The three partners collectively are committed to cultivating the immense pool of talent within this global medium – which is what led to opening the Challenge to international teams."
Peter E. Raad, founder and executive director of The Guildhall at SMU, points out the key to the Indie Game Challenge rests with the judges. "The judging process to which each game is subjected – while arduous – is critical to identifying the best-of-the-best," said Raad. "The judges are senior, accredited-members of the AIAS who actually take the time to play the beta versions of each game. In the end, up to 12 finalist teams – six professional and six non-professional – will be announced in January 2011. Members of each finalist team will be flown to an awards reception at the 2011 D.I.C.E. Summit in February 2011 for an experience of a lifetime."
The inaugural 2010 Indie Game Challenge awards were presented at the 2010 D.I.C.E.™ Summit in Las Vegas where finalists mingled with publishers and attended the awards ceremony hosted by G4tv's Adam Sessler. Gear, by Team 3 from the Digipen Institute of Technology, and Cogs, by San Francisco-based Lazy 8 Studios, were declared the two grand prize winners out of the more than 250 entries received.
Team leader Rob Jagnow of Lazy 8 Studios said the Indie Game Challenge and D.I.C.E. Summit were amazing experiences for his professional team on many levels. "Not only did we have a great time meeting all of the other indie developers," he said, "but it was also an unparalleled opportunity to mingle with some of the most influential names in the gaming industry." Jagnow also offers some sage advice for teams who are contemplating whether or not to submit an entry. "Even if you don't get nominated as a finalist, the IGC deadline will help drive your game development with a hard deadline."
# # #
CONTACTS:
Geri Gordon Miller
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
818-876-0826 x202
geri@interactive.org
Charles Hodges
GameStop Corp.
817-722-7311
CharlesHodges@gamestop.com
Ron Jenkins
The Guildhall at SMU
972-473-3546
jenkinsr@smu.edu
February 25th 2010
G4TV COVERAGE OF 2010 INDIE GAME CHALLENGE AWARDS CEREMONY
Click here to watch video of Adam Sessler, host of G4's "X-Play" (weeknights at 6:30pm ET/PT), recapping the 2010 Indie Game Challenge Awards Ceremony.
February 19th 2010
INDIE GAME CHALLENGE WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Two $100,000 grand prize champions and separate category winners unveiled in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NEV. – (Feb 19, 2010) – The winners of the inaugural Indie Game Challenge sponsored by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), and The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University were announced tonight in Las Vegas following the conclusion of the D.I.C.E.™ (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit at the Red Rock Resort & Casino.
The awards ceremony was hosted by Adam Sessler, host of G4's "X-Play" (weeknights at 6:30pm ET/PT), and editor-in-chief of games content for G4tv.com. Sessler was assisted in the presentations by AIAS President Joseph Olin, The Guildhall at SMU Executive Director Dr. Peter E. Raad and GameStop Executive Vice President Merchandising and Marketing Tony Bartel. Attending the ceremony were representatives from each of the 12 finalist teams along with game publishers, developers and associated enterprises.
The list of winners includes:
Professional $100,000 Grand Prize Winner: Cogs
· Cogs was submitted by San Francisco-based Lazy 8 Studios and the three-person team consisting of: Rob Jagnow, team leader; Brendan Mauro, artist; and Luke Gilbert, sound and music. Cogs is a puzzle game in which players build machines from sliding tiles. Players can choose from 50 levels and three gameplay modes. New puzzles are unlocked by building contraptions quickly and efficiently.
Non-professional $100,000 Grand Prize Winner: Gear
· Gear was submitted by: Joshua Maiche, team lead; Mike Halbrooke, level designer; Ben Frazier, level designer; Brian Lee, designer, graphics, art and music; and Andrew Hill, level designer. The team members are students at the Digipen Institute of Technology in Redmond, Wash. Gear is a 2D puzzle platformer in which the player controls a robot with the ability to change its hand into a gear. The player has to swing around sockets, ride on rails, swim and even rotate the world in order to get through 10 unique levels and beat the "boss."
Category winners include:
- Technical Achievement ($2,500): Altitude, submitted by professional team Nimbly Games headed by life-long friends and Las Cruces, N.M., neighbors Erik Measure and Karl Sabo
- Achievement in Art Direction ($2,500): Cogs
- Achievement in Gameplay ($2,500): Cogs
- Gamer's Choice Award ($10,000): Altitude
The recipient of the Indie Game Challenge SMU scholarship will be announced later this spring. The winner of the Gamer's Choice Award sweepstakes will be selected from all eligible entries and announced March 19th.
"On behalf of the three sponsors, we couldn't be happier with the quality and quantity of entries into the first-ever Indie Game Challenge," said Olin. "No doubt, the partnership between AIAS, GameStop and SMU helped drive wide-spread awareness for the Challenge as evidenced by the more than 250 entries we received. The Challenge went a long way toward unlocking, cultivating and supporting the potential of independent game developers, which are essential for the future success of our industry."
Entries for the inaugural Indie Game Challenge were accepted between July 14 and Oct. 31, 2009. Judging was done by members of AIAS starting Nov. 1, 2009, and 12 finalists – six professional teams and six non-professional teams – were announced Feb. 1, 2010.
Following tonight's awards ceremony, officials with AIAS, GameStop and The Guildhall at SMU announced plans to host the Second Annual Indie Game Challenge. The entry period will kick-off Summer 2010 and close in the fall 2010, and the winners will be presented at D.I.C.E. 2011. Exact dates and details will be announced later this year. Professional and non-professional game developers interesting in entering the Indie Game Challenge should check www.indiegamechallenge.com for future updates.
February 1, 2010
TWELVE FINALISTS NAMED FOR INDIE GAME CHALLENGE;
WINNERS OF MORE THAN $350,000 IN PRIZES TO BE ANNOUNCED
FEB. 19 AT D.I.C.E. SUMMIT
The 12 finalists in the inaugural Indie Game ChallengeSM sponsored by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), and The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University were announced today.
The Indie Game Challenge finalists – including six non-professional and six professional teams – are eligible for more than $350,000 in prize monies and scholarships. Winners will be announced Feb. 19 at the D.I.C.E.™ (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit at the Red Rock Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. D.I.C.E. is an annual conference hosted by the AIAS dedicated to exploring approaches to the creative process and artistic expression as they uniquely apply to the development of interactive entertainment. Hosting the awards ceremony is Adam Sessler, host of G4's "X-Play" (weeknights at 6:30pm ET/PT), and editor-in-chief of games content for G4tv.com
In addition to monetary awards and industry recognition, all 12 finalists have the unique opportunity to pursue potential commercial avenues for their games while at D.I.C.E. AIAS is arranging private face-to-face meetings between the finalists and video game executives from such top publishers and developers as Sony, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Microsoft, NAMCO/Bandai, THQ, Ubisoft and others. The 12 finalists include the following:
Non-Professional Category (Game/Team)
Climb to the Top of the Castle – Two Bros. Games
Dreamside Maroon – Terraced
Galactic Arms Race – Galactic Arms Race
Gear – Joshua Maiche
Waker – Poof Productions
zeit2 – Brightside Games
Professional Category (Game/Team)
Aaaa! A Reckless Disregard for Gravity – Dejobaan Games, LLC
Altitude – Nimbly Games
Cogs – Lazy 8 Studios
Fieldrunners – Subatomic Studios
Miegakure – Marc ten Bosch
Vessel – Strange Loop Games
February 1, 2010
PUBLIC VOTING TO SELECT INDIE GAME CHALLENGE
GAMER'S CHOICE AWARD NOW UNDERWAY
Sweepstakes offers grand prize to visit Los Angeles, tour G4, attend taping of "X-Play" and meet show host Adam Sessler
Public voting is underway for the Gamer's Choice Award in the Indie Game ChallengeSM sponsored by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), and The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University. The Gamer's Choice Award is one of more than $350,000 in prizes available to the 12 finalist teams announced today in the Indie Game Challenge.
Voters for the Gamer's Choice Award will be entered into the Gamer's Choice Sweepstakes, which offers a grand prize of a trip for two to Los Angeles to tour G4 studios, passes to attend a taping of the popular "X-Play" program, and a meet-and-greet with "X-Play" host Adam Sessler. The sweepstakes winner will be selected March 12.
The winning Gamer's Choice Award team will be presented $10,000 on Feb. 19 at the D.I.C.E.™ (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit being hosted at Red Rock Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. D.I.C.E. is an annual conference hosted by the AIAS dedicated to exploring approaches to the creative process and artistic expression as they uniquely apply to the development of interactive entertainment.
In addition to the Gamer's Choice Award, the grand prizes and category winners of the Indie Game Challenge will also be unveiled at D.I.C.E. in an awards ceremony hosted by Sessler. The six non-professional and six professional finalists are eligible for more than $350,000 in prizes, including separate $100,000 pro and non-pro team awards, an SMU scholarship and more.
January 14, 2010
Indie Game Challenge Unveils Judging Panel Members
Judges for Inaugural Game Development Contest Represent Wide Range of Industry Influentials Who Will Select Finalists for More Than $350,000 in Prizes Later this Month
Judging is currently underway for the Indie Game Challenge sponsored by The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) and GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME). The 12 non-professional and professional finalists out of the more than 250 submissions in this inaugural video game design competition are expected to be announced Feb 1st, 2010.
The Indie Game Challenge offers more than $350,000 in prize monies and scholarships including the unique opportunity for the finalists to present their game ideas in face-to-face meetings with premier video game developers and publishers at the D.I.C.E. Summit (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit hosted by the AIAS in Las Vegas in February. The D.I.C.E. Summit is an annual conference dedicated to exploring approaches to the creative process and artistic expression as they uniquely apply to the development of interactive entertainment.
Mathew Lee Johnson, senior producer for PopCap, is one of more than 40 judges reviewing contest entries, and he said he has been surprised by the overall quality of the games. Were in our second round of evaluations, so were seeing the cream of the crop, Johnson said. Its amazing how polished some of the games are and the fun experiences they offer. The hardest part has been finding the time to play them all as much as Id personally want, but Ill definitely rectify that on my own time after the competition is completed.
We had no trouble finding highly qualified gaming professionals willing to donate their time to this unique challenge, said Joseph Olin, president, AIAS. Not only were we pleased with the total number of entries we received, the overall quality of the submissions far exceeded our expectations. Judges are currently pouring over each and every entry, and I dont envy the task they face in culling the list down to 12 finalists by the end of the month.
Mike Hogan, GameStops senior vice president of marketing, said, We committed to each entrant that their game would be thoroughly evaluated and played by qualified judges from the world of gaming, and thats whats happening now. The 12 finalist games will be representative of some of the most innovative and creative ideas in gaming today as judged by the best in the business.
The distinguished volunteer judging panel is composed of veteran and up-and-coming professionals and gaming icons representing AIASs membership base. This includes such noteworthy individuals as: Danny Bilson, executive vice president Core Games, THQ, who has strong roots in the creative community as both a screenwriter and director for TV and film and is responsible for THQs slate of games; Jenova Chen and Kellee Santiago, co-founders, thatgamecompany, creators of the unique and ethereal games Flow and Flower who, along with their small team, are changing peoples perceptions of what makes a great game; and Kyle Gabler, co-founder and creative director of 2D Boy, and part of the team that co-created the wildly successful World of Goo.
Additional judges include: Rod Ferguson, executive producer, Epic Games, who is part of the team of game-making heavyweights responsible for the Gear of War franchise; Alex Seropian, vice president creative development, Disney Interactive, co-founder of Bungie Studios and one of the fathers of Halo; Roger Hector, senior vice president product development, Namco Bandai, automotive design guru, responsible for launching 100-plus titles in his career within the interactive industry; Tina Kowalewski, director of external development, Sony Computer Entertainment America, responsible for finding new talent and new games for Sony; as well as representatives from publishers and developers including Microsoft, Capcom, Harmonix, Volition, Insomniac, id Software, Zipper Interactive and Vigil Games.
Two members from each of the 12 finalist teams will attend the awards reception Feb. 19, 2010, at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas. Each finalist team will receive the opportunity to pitch their game ideas face-to-face to executives from top publishers such as Sony, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Microsoft, NAMCO/Bandai, THQ and Ubisoft. These meetings will allow competitors to receive valuable input and have the opportunity to explore commercial avenues for their games.
January 27, 2010
Please look for an announcement of the 12 Finalists to take place next Monday, February 1st. The finalists will be listed here on indiegamechallange.com!
November 1, 2009
The entry period for the Indie Game Challenge is now closed - thanks to everyone who has entered and best of luck! Stay tuned for the finalists announcement on January 25th, 2010.
August 27, 2009
INDIE GAME CHALLENGE DEADLINE EXTENDED TO OCT. 31, 2009
Sponsors Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences GameStop and The Guildhall at SMU Allow Aspiring Video Game Developers an Additional Month to Compete for Almost $300,000 in Prizes
DALLAS, TX - Professional and non-professional video game developers with their sights set on winning some of the almost $300,000 in prizes and a chance to present their games to top publishers in the Indie Game Challenge are in luck. The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) and The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University today announced the entry deadline has been extended from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, 2009.
"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, AIAS. "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."
Olin points out new, as well as previously developed, games are eligible for entry so long as they have not been professionally published in accordance with the complete rules found at www.indiegamechallenge.com. This includes the eligibility of games previously submitted to other awards competitions, whether or not those games received awards or not, including online or self-published games that appear in the Apple store so long as they are not from a major publisher.
Mike Hogan, senior vice president of marketing, GameStop Corp., said the Indie Game Challenge is the preeminent competition for video game developers. "Winners will split up almost $300,000 in prize monies and scholarships, including $100,000 grand prize awards for both the winning professional and non-professional games," he said. "Even more important for the finalists is the exposure they will receive. Their pitch videos will be posted on GameStop.com and GameStop TV where they will be seen by millions of people and be eligible for additional prize money and People's Choice Award voting. For aspiring game developers, such visibility is priceless."
Judging will be conducted by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences after Oct. 31. Up to 12 finalist teams will be announced on or about Jan. 25, 2010, and up to five members of each finalist team will be flown to an awards reception Feb. 19, 2010, at the Red Rock Casino Resort Spa in Las Vegas following AIAS's D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit.
Each finalist team will be rewarded with the opportunity to pitch their game idea face-to-face to executives from top publishers such as Sony, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Microsoft, NAMCO/Bandai, THQ and Ubisoft. These meetings will allow teams to receive valuable input from industry icons and have the opportunity to pursue commercial avenues for their games.
Dr. Peter E. Raad, founder and executive director of The Guildhall at SMU, said he is already aware of several student teams creating IGC entries for the non-professional category. "We have heard from a number of our friends at other game development educational programs, and we expect a number of student games to be entered," he said. "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."
For additional information, visit www.indiegamechallenge.com or e-mail indiehelp@smu.edu.
August 18, 2009
We've just received a game and pitch video from Richard Garriott . Think Lord British's game is lame!? Then enter a better game and pitch video in the Indie Game Challenge today and win the $100,000!
Pitch Video 1 - Richard's Lord of the Unpopular
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQv-PwhUB2c
July 15, 2009
GAMESTOP, THE GUILDHALL AT SMU AND THE ACADEMY OF INTERACTIVE ARTS & SCIENCES LAUNCH INDIE GAME CHALLENGE
Contest Provides Aspiring Video Game Developers a "Life Changing" Opportunity to Showcase their Skills, Meet Top Game Publishers, Compete for Almost $300,000 in Prizes
GRAPEVINE, TX - GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME), The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) today announced the launch of the Indie Game Challenge. The Challenge is designed to be the preeminent competition for video game developers by offering winners almost $300,000 in prize monies and scholarships, including $100,000 grand prize awards for both the winning professional and non-professional games.
In addition, finalists will receive national exposure and be eligible for additional prize money by having their pitch videos posted on GameStop.com and GameStop TV for People's Choice Award voting. Complete entry and contest details are available at www.indiegamechallenge.com.
Professional and non-professional individuals or teams are asked to submit game betas and game pitch videos between July 14 and Oct. 1, 2009. Judging will be conducted by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Up to 12 finalist teams will be announced on or about Jan. 25, 2010, and up to five members of each finalist team will be flown to an awards reception Feb. 19, 2010, at the Red Rock Casino Resort Spa in Las Vegas following AIAS's D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit. D.I.C.E. is an annual conference dedicated to exploring approaches to the creative process and artistic expression as they uniquely apply to the development of interactive entertainment.
In addition to the awards presentation, each finalist team will receive the unique opportunity to pitch their game ideas face-to-face to executives from top publishers as Sony, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Microsoft, NAMCO/Bandai, THQ and Ubisoft. These meetings will allow competitors to receive valuable input and have the opportunity to open up commercial avenues for their games.
"Our entire industry is dependent on the cultivation of new, cutting edge game developers who continue to stretch the boundaries and imaginations of gamers," said Mike Hogan, senior vice president of marketing, GameStop Corp. "By joining forces with The Guildhall at SMU and AIAS we hope to stimulate a new generation of game developers and reward them with cash awards and scholarships. Perhaps the most important aspect of the Challenge for competitors is the potentially life-changing opportunity to meet face-to-face with professionals who have helped make the gaming industry the success it is today."
According to Dr. Peter E. Raad, founder and executive director of The Guildhall at SMU, the institution has quickly established itself as a premier destination for students whose goal it is to enter into game development and digital communications media. "The Indie Game Challenge furthers the university's goal of continued collaboration with the video game industry to educate and train professionals for the present and leaders for the future," said Dr. Raad. "Like the music and film industries before it, independent developers are an essential and driving part of the gaming industry. We're excited about the potential of the Indie Game Challenge and look forward to working with both GameStop and AIAS to identify some of the great new ideas the competition is sure to create."
"The partnership of GameStop, The Guildhall at SMU and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences is a smart one in that we are each heavily vested in unlocking and cultivating the potential of independent game developers," said Joseph Olin, president, AIAS. "The Indie Game Challenge is innovative in that it motivates talented developers to compete, but more importantly it offers them the potentially life-changing opportunity to pitch their ideas to industry giants and make invaluable connections. That alone is a priceless experience that many independent developers can only dream about."