Programming for Artists: Game Competitions
Instructor: Lindsay Grace

 

I suggest that as you work toward completing your games you consider submitting them to small, student competitions. It is a good educational experience. Game Career Guide's list of student competitions should point you in a good direction. Besides, if the honor of winning our in-class competition doesn't motivate you, perhaps a $20,000 grand prize will (see IGF).

You should also consider posting them to something like the Great Games Experiment to start to build an online portfolio. It doesn't make sense if your game is very rough, but those of you who do complete your proposed design, or who win our in-class competition may find the "publicity" beneficial. Of course, bad press, is bad press, so be careful with what you post. Also avoid copyright issues.

In case you didn't know, these may be particularly appropriate:

Gamers Institute Competition (Closes September 16, 2008)
An AI sponsored online game competition. There is a bias toward web based games (e.g. .swf), but they will consider small games like the ones we are creating. These smaller competitions are really gems for small student games.

Independent Games Festival (2008)
The premier independent game festival and competition for students. Successes stories include Braid and Portal.

 

Provided by Lindsay Grace for students of the Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago. These documents may be used by others when properly credited. Please email lgrace at aii edu for more information.