Announcing the 2011 Summer Game Design Contest!

2011 Contest Theme: Space Shooters
Prizes: Two $100 prizes will be awarded (see details)
Platform: Java/Greenfoot
Deadline: August 20, 2011

This year's contest will challenge participants to create space shooters in either of two categories: 2D scrollers or FPS shooters. Entries must be submitted in one of these two categories (i.e., you may not create a hybrid and submit it under both categories). $100 will be awarded to the best design in each category as judged by members of the Game Design Club.

Definitions:

2D Shooters will be defined as any space-themed shooting game that is oriented horizontally or vertically. Examples of games falling within this category include Space Invaders, Galaxian, Missile Command, and Asteroids.

FPS Shooters will be defined as any space-themed shooting game with a FPS-style orientation. Examples of games falling within this category include Spasim, Panther, Battlezone, and Wing Commander.

Rules:

1. No entry fees.
2. Participants must be between the ages of 12 and 20 and must reside in the Chicago metropolitan area.
3. All entries must be coded in Java using the Greenfoot IDE. No prior experience is required, and free Greenfoot workshops will offered at the Howard Area Computer Clubhouse throughout the summer. (Please note that one of the 2010 Breakout winners had no prior programming experience before entering the contest.)
4. Entries may be submitted by individuals or teams of up to three members.
5. Participants may submit multiple entries.
6. Entries must be submitted as Greenfoot project files and not as executable jar files.
7. Entries must have unique names and features, and must be more than clones of existing games.
8. Participants must agree to allow their projects to be posted as playable games on the Game Maker Academy web site.
9. Entries must be submitted no later than midnight following the date of August 20, 2011.

What you will need:

• Download Greenfoot at www.greenfoot.org
• Attend our Game Design Club meetings at the Howard Area Computer Clubhouse for tips and tutorials
• Download these Space Shooter tutorial handouts to get started
• View the video tutorials (especially the shooting tutorial) on the Greenfoot web site.
• Attend Greenfoot workshops scheduled intermittently during the summer at the Howard Area Computer Clubhouse (especially the workshop covering vector geometry)
• A rich imagination
• A brilliant sense of humor
• A "stick to it" attitude

Entries will be judged on the basis of user-oriented design, engaging game play, inclusion of narrative elements, and coding style. The top entries will include intro/win/lose screens, player instructions, themes and sound effects, multiple variable-controlled functions such as scoring, lives, health, power-ups, as well as graphic elements that support the underlying game narrative.

Direct all questions to the Game Design Club c/o brian [at] gamemakeracademy [dot] org.

May the best design win!