[Entering indie competitions can help you make a name for yourself, and this roundup will provide a quick overview of some top events to keep an eye on.]
Indie game competitions can be a critical resource for student developers. Events such as the IGF or showcases like the PAX 10 can help rookie developers make a name for themselves and raise awareness about their games. These events also help incentivize efficient development and timely release windows by forcing teams to meet deadlines and produce finished games. Below you will find a handful of indie game competitions open to students in 2011 and 2012.
IGF Student Showcase Competition
Web site: www.igf.com
Submission Dates: Annual, 2012 dates to be announced
Entry Requirements: Open to all student developers worldwide, entrants must be at least 13 years old.
Entry Fee: None
Organizers, Sponsors: UBM TechWeb
As part of GDC's Independent Games Festival, the IGF Student Showcase encourages students to submit their games or mods to be judged by a panel of roughly 60 leading independent and professional developers. The winning titles will join the other games featured at the IGF Pavilion on the GDC show floor, and each team will receive $500 to help fund a trip to the show. At the Independent Games Festival Choice Awards, one of these finalists will win $2,500, the prize for Best Student Game. IGF Student Showcase finalists from 2011 include Octodad, Tiny and Big, and FRACT.
Indie Game Challenge
Web site: www.indiegamechallenge.com
Submission Dates: Annual, 2012 dates to be announced
Entry Requirements: Open to individuals or teams worldwide (except to those located in U.S.-embargoed countries)
Entry Fee: $100 (fee is waived for residents of certain states in the U.S.)
Organizers, Sponsors: The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, Gamestop, Inc., The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University
This game development competition, hosted alongside the Interactive Achievement Awards at D.I.C.E., allows student developers to compete for up to $100,000 in prizes. Finalists in the competition receive $500 to help pay for travel to the awards ceremony, where the challenge's grand prize winner will be announced. These finalists also receive the opportunity to talk to a number of game companies about potential publishing deals.
