ESA holding student competition, winners to be shown at E3
The Entertainment Software Association is launching an E3 College Game Competition this year, designed to spotlight some solid student game creations at the upcoming E3 convention in Los Angeles. Over 400 schools have been invited to submit "story details and content assets" for a video game they might make, with the ESA (along with the help of industry veterans and professionals) planning to choose the best five by May.
Those five finalists will then be offered the opportunity to present at this year's E3, and get their games and ideas in front of the media and some of the biggest game developers and publishers in the world. IndieCade has been able to show off some of its games at E3 for a few years now, but this competition is designed to honor student work in the same way.
ESA president Mike Gallagher says the group "intends to honor student achievement and provide a deserved spotlight at E3." Interested teachers who haven't yet been contacted about the contest can find out more by emailing the ESA; you can find more info in the press release below.
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ESA ANNOUNCES E3 COLLEGE GAME COMPETITION;
FINALISTS TO RECEIVE COVETED E3 SPOTLIGHT
Game Development Competition to Highlight Star Talent from U.S. Colleges and Universities
Washington, DC – February 4, 2013 – The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today launched a new program aimed at recognizing the best student talent in video game development. The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) College Game Competition provides colleges and universities with computer and video game development programs an opportunity to display their game at E3. Each higher education institution will submit one game representing their college or university. The finalists will receive a special showcase display and related opportunities at this year's E3, the world's premier trade show for computer and video games.
Competing schools are required to submit story details and content assets from their own playable video game, which will be judged by a specially selected panel of game industry veterans and media professionals.
"The collegiate game competition is an important step for the ESA in encouraging and rewarding students pursuing careers in video game development", said Mike Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association. "Our learning institutions house so much innovation and talent that will shape the future of our industry and ESA intends to honor student achievement and provide a deserved spotlight at E3."
The competition will target almost 400 U.S. colleges, universities, art and trade schools offering video game courses, certificates and degree programs. Five competition finalists will be offered the opportunity to present their games at the Los Angeles-based E3 show where they can also mingle with top game industry figures including publishers, developers, venture capital and marketing executives.
ESA will provide complete instructions to participating schools including guidelines on specific design, concept and key asset requirements.
Important competition dates:
· Submissions will be accepted starting on March 15, 2013
· Final deadline for submissions is April 19, 2013
· Finalists will be notified on May 10, 2013
· The winner will be announced during E3
Universities and colleges interested in more information on the competition rules and submission requirements should emailESA@theESA.com.
