Indie Game Challenge October 31 Deadline Approaches: Get Your Game In : Indie Game Challenge October 31 Deadline Approaches: Get Your Game In

Dallas, TX – October 28, 2009 – Indie Game Challenge (IGC) officials encourage game developers interested in entering this year’s challenge to submit their games now. Eligibility to win one of two $100,000 cash prizes and a chance to pitch an independent game to top publishers hinges on submissions being post-marked by October 31, 2009.

Launched in July of this year by a partnership between the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, GameStop Corp., and The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University, the IGC is offering an awards cache that supersedes those of similar industry competitions, and even finalists will walk away winners. Of 12 finalist teams, two will be selected as grand prize winners. One “professional” team and one “non-professional” team will each be awarded $100,000. Potentially the most valuable prize is the priceless opportunity all 12 finalists will receive – face-to-face meetings with executives from AAA publishers including Sony, Nintendo, Electronic Arts, Capcom, Microsoft, NAMCO/Bandai, THQ and Ubisoft.

Anyone needing assistance on how to enter the IGC can contact indiehelp@smu.edu.
IGC officials say that previously developed games, as well as new games, are eligible for entry as 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 competitions, whether or not those games placed, and online or self-published games that appear in the Apple store.

Judging will be conducted by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences after the October 31, 2009 deadline. Up to 12 finalist teams will be announced on or about January 15, 2010, and up to five members of each finalist team will be flown to an awards reception February 19, 2010, at the Red Rock Casino Resort Spa in Las Vegas following AIAS’s D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit.

Indie Game Challenge Entry Quick Tips
· Register online at www.indiegamechallenge.com via the “How to Enter” icon
· Be prepared to provide your game name and genre (core, casual, cause)
· Have information on hand to briefly describe your game, platform and hardware requirements as well as the SDK version and middleware
· Include the following items in your game submission: video game on 10 discs, each with an installer, installation and game play instructions, copies of confirmation receipts and a short video (approximately 60 seconds) about your game, team and why you think your game should win
· Teams can have up to 15 members
· Teams can submit up to three games
· Only one iPhone application per team is allowed
· Questions can be directed to indiehelp@smu.edu and will be addressed promptly

For detailed information, read the Official Contest Rules online.