Indie Game Challenge

Check here often for the latest news and updates on the 2011 Indie Game Challenge.

CONTACTS:

Debby Chen
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
818-876-0826
debby@interactive.org

Ron Jenkins
The Guildhall at SMU
972-473-3546
jenkinsr@smu.edu

Wendy Dominguez
GameStop Corp.
817-722-7747
wendydominguez@gamestop.com

JANUARY 19, 2012

TEN FINALISTS NAMED FOR 3rd ANNUAL INDIE GAME CHALLENGE

Winners of $250,000 in Prizes to be Announced Feb. 10 at 2012 D.I.C.E. Summit

DALLAS, TX, January 19, 2012 – The ten finalists in the 3rd Annual Indie Game ChallengeSM hosted by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University and GameStop, were announced today. Reflecting the international scope of this year's Indie Game Challenge, three of the ten finalist teams are from Finland, Sweden and Germany.

The Indie Game Challenge finalists are eligible for $250,000 in cash and prizes. Winners will be announced Feb. 10 at the 2012 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. Returning to host the IGC awards ceremony is Adam Sessler, host of G4's X-Play.

"Hosting the Indie Game Challenge is one of the highlights of the year for me – I get to geek out with the next generation of budding game makers and talk games with them for a couple hours," said Adam Sessler, host of G4's X-Play. "Coming out of the Indie Game Challenge, I always feel that once again the future of the industry is safe in the hands of these young talented designers."

In addition to monetary awards and industry recognition, all ten finalists have the unique opportunity to pursue potential commercial avenues for their games while at D.I.C.E. Members of each team will be rewarded with the opportunity to pitch their games face-to-face with publishers like Sony, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Microsoft, NAMCO Bandai, THQ and Ubisoft among others. The ten finalists include the following (Team/game):

Blendo Games - Atom Zombie Smasher
Eyebrow Interactive - Closure
Zeroscale – Demolition, Inc.
Team Nitronic - Nitronic Rush
Paradox Shift - Paradox Shift
Empty Clip Studios, Inc. - Symphony
Ty Taylor and Mario Castaneda - The Bridge
Team Dream - The Dream Machine
The Fourth Team - The Fourth Wall
Facepalm Games - The Swapper

Besides the once in a lifetime opportunity to present their game to AAA publishers, the IGC offers a $100,000 grand prize. Additional cash awards for technical categories include: three $2,500 Skill Award winners in the categories of art, technical and gameplay, and a $2,500 "Gamer's Choice" prize. Also, a $50,000 scholarship to attend The Guildhall at SMU, one of the premier graduate level video game development education programs in the U.S., will be awarded to an eligible participant of the 2011 competition.

For more information on the competition, learn more about the finalists, and vote for the Gamer's Choice prize, visit: www.IndieGameChallenge.com .

About the Indie Game Challenge
The Indie Game Challenge (IGC) is an annual competition for video game developers offering more than $250,000 in prizes for professional and non-professional categories. Founded by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, The Guildhall at SMU and GameStop, the IGC was created to foster game development innovation by independent developers. Prizes include cash awards, scholarships, national consumer exposure for the top games and an opportunity for the finalists to obtain professional feedback and seek commercial avenues for their games through face-to-face meetings with representatives from the leading video game publishers. For more information on the IGC visit www.IndieGameChallenge.com, www.interactive.org, http://guildhall.smu.edu or www.GameStop.com.

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January 16, 2012

To allow extended time for judges to review all entries, the 10 Indie Game Challenge finalists will now be announced on January 19, 2012. Stay tuned for more details. Please email indiehelp@smu.edu with any questions. Thanks again to everyone who submitted their game this year!

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October 4, 2011

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 17th, 2012.

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SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Third Indie Game Challenge Submission Deadline Closing In October 3rd!

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, The Guildhall at SMU and GameStop Offer Aspiring Video Game Developers A Chance to Compete for $250,000 in Prizes

DALLAS, TX, September 23, 2011 – Seven months after the second Indie Game Challenge (IGC), finalists are achieving remarkable success in the video game industry. And with the deadline fast approaching for the third annual competition, IGC officials are encouraging game developers to submit their games by Oct. 3, 2011. The IGC offers a $100,000 grand prize, a $50,000 scholarship, one-on-one meetings with AAA publishers and multiple avenues for game developers across the globe to break into the industry.

Significant accomplishments from the 2011 IGC finalists:

IGC non—professional category winner, team : Two members from Team Hermes are working with Red Fly Studio to publish their game
Finalist Subsonic just had their game SONAR published on Google Chrome
IGC finalist Toxic Games plans to release their debut title, Q.U.B.E. in late 2011 to early 2012
IGC Finalist Vanessa Saint-Pierre Delacroix & Her Nightmare from Pilcrow Games is now available on PC from Big Fish Games
IGC professional category winner Playdead’s LIMBO was released on PS3 and Steam

Submissions for this year's competition must be postmarked by Oct. 3, 2011. Judging will be conducted by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Ten finalist teams will be announced in mid-January 2012 and two members of each finalist team will be flown to an awards reception Feb. 10, 2012, at the Red Rock Casino Resort Spa in Las Vegas during AIAS’s D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit.

Members of each team will be rewarded with the opportunity to pitch their games face-to-face with publishers like Sony, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Microsoft, NAMCO/Bandai, THQ and Ubisoft following the AIAS's D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit in February 2011.

Additional cash awards include: three $2,500 Skill Award winners in the categories of art, technical and gameplay, the Kongregate Award and a $2,500 "Gamer's Choice" prize. Also, a $50,000 scholarship to attend The Guildhall at SMU, one of the premier graduate level video game development education programs in the U.S., will be awarded to an eligible participant of the 2011 competition.

For more information on the competition and to learn more about each of the winners, visit: www.IndieGameChallenge.com

About the Indie Game Challenge
The Indie Game Challenge (IGC) is an annual competition for independent video game developers offering $250,000 in prizes. Founded by The Guildhall at SMU, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and GameStop Corp., the IGC was created to foster game development innovation by independent developers. Prizes include cash awards, scholarships, national consumer exposure for the top games and an opportunity for the finalists to obtain professional feedback and seek commercial avenues for their games through face-to-face meetings with representatives from the leading video game publishers. For more information on the IGC visit www.indiegamechallenge.com, www.interactive.org, www.gamestop.com or guildhall.smu.edu.

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JUNE 6, 2011

2012 INDIE GAME CHALLENGE IS OPEN FOR ENTRIES

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, The Guildhall at SMU and GameStop Offer Aspiring Video Game Developers A Chance to Compete for $250,000 in Prizes

DALLAS, Texas — June 6, 2010 — Independent video game developers with their sights set on winning $250,000 in prizes and a chance to present their games to top publishers are in luck. The third annual Indie Game Challenge is open for entries now through Oct. 3, 2011 and finalists will be announced January 2012. Individuals and teams can register at www.IndieGameChallenge.com and submit a working beta copy of their game and pitch video.

"Since we announced the kick-off of the Indie Game Challenge almost two years ago, the response from the development community has truly been extraordinary," said Martin Rae, president, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. "We have seen such a wide range of creativity and artistic talent from all over the world, and it is our hope that IGC continues to grow and attract the best and the brightest from the independent video game development community."

Judging will be conducted by panels hand-selected from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' membership base. Winners have the opportunity to split up almost $250,000 in prize monies and scholarships, including a $100,000 grand prize award to the winning game. Beyond the winnings, finalists have an opportunity for unprecedented exposure - their pitch videos will be promoted 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. Members of each finalist team will have the opportunity of a lifetime and will be flown to Las Vegas to attend the prestigious D.I.C.E. Summit, have an opportunity to showcase their games to top publishers in the video game industry set up by the IGC and attend the Indie Game Challenge Awards next February.

Dr. Peter E. Raad, founder and executive director of The Guildhall at SMU, said "We like to keep up with all of our former finalists and in most cases we are seeing individuals and teams leveraging this unique opportunity as a springboard for either getting their entry published or getting hired within the industry. That's why we make it a priority for the finalists to meet with all the major publishing companies who attend D.I.C.E."

For additional information, visit www.indiegamechallenge.com or e-mail indiehelp@smu.edu.

About the Indie Game Challenge
The Indie Game Challenge (IGC) is an annual competition for independent video game developers offering $250,000 in prizes. Founded by The Guildhall at SMU, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and GameStop Corp., the IGC was created to foster game development innovation by independent developers. Prizes include cash awards, scholarships, national consumer exposure for the top games and an opportunity for the finalists to obtain professional feedback and seek commercial avenues for their games through face-to-face meetings with representatives from the leading video game publishers. For more information on the IGC visit www.indiegamechallenge.com, www.interactive.org, www.gamestop.com or guildhall.smu.edu.

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January 20, 2011

TWELVE INDIE GAME CHALLENGE FINALISTS NAMED; WINNERS OF MORE THAN $350,000 PRIZES TO BE ANNOUNCED FEBRUARY 11TH AT THE D.I.C.E. SUMMIT

DALLAS, Texas and CALABASAS, Calif. – January 20, 2011 – The 12 finalists of the second Indie Game Challenge (IGC) sponsored by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), GameStop (NYSE:GME) and The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University (SMU) have been announced. Winners will be announced February 11th at the D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas. Hosting the IGC awards ceremony is Adam Sessler, Editor-in-Chief of Game Content for the G4 Network and Host of G4's "X-Play"; additionally, this year exclusive online content of the Indie Game Challenge will be hosted on G4tv.com/DICE.

"Hosting the IGC awards in 2010 was nothing short of an honor," said Adam Sessler, Editor-in-Chief of Game Content for the G4 Network and Host of G4's "X-Play." "And having seen the finalists for 2011 I must say it is equally humbling to celebrate the imagination, innovation and dedication of this year's young developers."

The IGC finalists, which includes six non-professional and six professional teams, are eligible for more than $350,000 in prize monies and scholarships. Prizes up for grabs include:

$100,000 awarded to each of the professional and non-professional category winners
A $50,000 academic scholarship to The Guildhall at SMU
A DesignMetrics® title assessment to each of the winners, a $30,000 value from Electronic Entertainment Design and Research (EEDAR)
$10,000 to the IGC Gamer's Choice winner
$7,500 in technical prizes

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 the D.I.C.E. Summit and also will be provided a full pass to the exclusive gathering. The IGC founders also arrange 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, THQ, Ubisoft and others.

Mirroring the continued evolution of how games are played, the IGC created a Kongregate Award for the best browser-based game. The award recipient in this category, determined by reviewing all browser-based entries by Kongregate, will be announced at IGC by the company's CEO Jim Greer. The winner's game will be featured prominently on Kongregate, one of the fastest growing social gaming sites, and will receive immediate exposure to more than 13 million avid game players.

The 12 finalists include:

Non-Professional Category (Team/game)

Hazard - Hazard: The Journey of Life
One Man Down - Solace
Team Height Advantage - Subsonic
Team Hermes - Inertia
Toxic Games - Q.U.B.E.
ZZZ Games - Symon

Professional Category (Team/game)

Bad Pilcrow - Vanessa Saint-Pierre Delacroix And Her Nightmare
Nemesys Games - Fortix 2
Playdead - LIMBO
Pocketwatch Games - Monaco
Spaces of Play - Spirits
SpikySnail Games - Confetti Carnival

Finalists from last year's inaugural IGC have experienced major success, allowing them to successfully break into the video game industry. A list of milestones from last year's winners and finalists include:

Professional category winner Cogs was selected as a launch title for the iPad, picked up retail sales in Europe and is currently making its way to other platforms
Non-professional category finalist Brightside Games had their game zeit² release on XBOX Live Arcade by Ubisoft on January 12, 2011
Dreamside Maroon has a team member who has taken a job with Nintendo
Fieldrunners was featured by Steve Jobs at the iPhone 4 launch
Gear ($100,000 grand prize winner, non-professional category) was featured in Game Developer magazine
A Galactic Arms Race team member won the $50,000 scholarship to attend The Guildhall at SMU and started the program in August 2010
Aaaah! was featured in the documentary, Indie Game, The Movie

For more information on the competition and to learn more about each finalist, visit: www.IndieGameChallenge.com

About the Indie Game Challenge
The Indie Game Challenge (IGC) is an annual competition for video game developers offering more than $350,000 in prizes for professional and non-professional categories. Founded by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, GameStop Corp. and The Guildhall at SMU, the IGC was created to foster game development innovation by independent developers. Prizes include cash awards, scholarships, national consumer exposure for the top games and an opportunity for the finalists to obtain professional feedback and seek commercial avenues for their games through face-to-face meetings with representatives from the leading video game publishers. For more information on the IGC visit www.indiegamechallenge.com, www.interactive.org, www.gamestop.com or http://guildhall.smu.edu.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Wendy Dominguez
GameStop Corp.
(817) 722-7747
WendyDominguez@gamestop.com

Ron Jenkins
The Guildhall at SMU
972.473.3546
www.guildhall.smu.edu

Debby Chen
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
debby@interactive.org
818-876-0826 ext. 206

January 14, 2011

The twelve Indie Game Challenge finalists will now be announced on January 20, 2011. Stay tuned for more details!

October 2, 2010

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 17th, 2011.

September 3, 2010

Indie Game Challenge 2011 Game Submission Deadline Nears
2010 Competition Finalists Achieve Industry Success

Six months after the inaugural Indie Game Challenge (IGC), finalists are achieving remarkable success in the video game industry. And with the deadline fast approaching for the second annual competition, IGC officials are encouraging game developers to submit their games by Oct. 1, 2010.

The IGC offers two $100,000 grand prizes, one-on-one meetings with AAA publishers and multiple avenues for game developers across the globe, both amateur and professional, to break into the industry.

"The overall intent behind this competition is not only to promote innovation and honor independent game developers, but also to bring about life-changing experiences," said Dr. Peter Raad, executive director of The Guildhall at SMU, a founding partner of the IGC, along with GameStop Corp. and the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS). "With the various successes of our first year finalists, we are proud to say that our expectations have been exceeded."

Cogs, winner of the first year's $100,000 grand prize in the professional category, is just one of many success stories. According to Lazy 8 Studios' Rob Jagnow, team lead on Cogs, the IGC set both the game and studio on a fast track. "Cogs was selected as a launch title for the iPad, it picked up retail sales in Europe and is currently making its way to a number of other platforms. The prize money allowed us to kick off an ambitious new indie game project that would have otherwise been too costly."

Success stories aren't limited to only the big cash winners. Of the 12 finalist teams, three have signed with publishers and another is in negotiations.

"Thanks to the IGC, we were able to build interest in our game and make the right connections that ultimately led us to landing a deal with Zoo Publishing," said John Krajewski, team lead for Vessel, one of the games that made it to the finalist stage. "It's going to be a busy year, but we look forward to shipping an awesome game!"

Other significant accomplishments include:

Dreamside Maroon (finalist) – a team member has taken a job with Nintendo
Fieldrunners –(finalist) the game was showcased by Steve Jobs at the iPhone 4 launch
Gear ($100,000 grand prize winner, non-professional category) – was featured in Game Developer magazine
Galactic Arms Race (finalist) – a team member won the $50,000 scholarship to attend The Guildhall at SMU and started the program in August
Aaaah! (finalist) – is featured in the upcoming documentary, Indie Game, The Movie

Submissions for this year's competition must be postmarked by Oct.1, 2010. New and previously developed games, on multiple platforms including online or self-published games that appear in the Apple store, as well as games submitted into other competitions, are eligible for entry, as long as they have not been professionally published in accordance with the complete rules found at www.indiegamechallenge.com.

Up to 12 finalist teams will be announced in late-January. Members of each team will be rewarded with the opportunity to pitch their games face-to-face with publishers like Sony, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Microsoft, NAMCO/Bandai, THQ and Ubisoft following the AIAS's D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit in February 2011.

Additional cash awards include: three $2,500 Skill Award winners in the categories of art, technical and gameplay, and a $10,000 "Gamer's Choice" prize. Also, a $50,000 scholarship to attend The Guildhall at SMU, one of the premier graduate level video game development education programs in the U.S., will be awarded to an eligible participant of the 2011 competition.

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 3, 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 25, 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 19, 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."