Do you know where Abertay University is? I wasn’t sure either – it’s in Dundee, Scotland by the way – but they’re hosting a giant, international game jam contest for video game students called Dare to be Digital 2016; that’s got your attention, hasn’t it?
Fifteen teams of students will be chosen from academic institutions around the world, to create and develop their game ideas in conjunction with the university, with the final projects showcased at the Dare ProtoPlay 2016 festival in August of this year. During the festival the Dare to be Digital 2016 entrants will be judged by a panel of industry experts and the general public, with the three winning teams each receiving a prize of £2,500 (3,300€/3,600$ US) plus some other goodies, to be confirmed by event sponsors.
Dare to be Digital 2016 teams will be invited to Abertay University in summer to complete their projects with two weeks of additional mentorship, before the grand reveal at the Dare ProtoPlay festival. There are a few criteria you have to meet to be eligible, though:
- Games that started development from June 2015 are eligible.
- Students from universities and colleges and fresh graduates (from 2015) with teams of up to eight members can apply.
- Teams selected for Dare ProtoPlay are expected to come to Dundee by July 18 to complete their games. They will have the option (at their own expense, or supported by sponsorship) to participate in Abertay summer game development activities in early July, and to join a multi-day workshop on developing a game design studio after the event.
- Applications must be endorsed by a member of teaching staff from the team’s host university.
- Final applications, including a video of early gameplay, must be made by 13 March.
- Although some development PCs, software and devkits will be supplied by Abertay University, teams will be responsible for arranging the provision of their own computers, software and mobile or tablet devices for development and for showcasing their game at Dare ProtoPlay.
So you need to be a student (or very recent graduate) and have endorsement from a member of your university’s faculty to enter; that’s the old hacks at team Thumbsticks out of the running!
Visit the Dare to be Digital 2016 site for more information on how to register.
