Indie Game Challenge
The Indie Game Challenge was an American award competition run in conjunction between the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, GameStop and The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University (SMU) to support independent video game development. Started in 2009, the competition highlighted ten to twelve independent games, with winning games receiving monetary rewards in addition to the award. The ceremonies were held during the annual D.I.C.E. Summit, during which the finalists are able to demonstrate their games to the press. The competition has not been held since the 2012 D.I.C.E. Summit.
Concept
The awards were created by AIAS, Gamestop and the Guildhall to promote innovation in gaming from independent development. Mike Hogan, senior vice-president of marketing for Gamestop, cited the need for "new, cutting edge game developers who continue to stretch the boundaries and imaginations of gamers" in the industry, and hoped that the awards would "stimulate a new generation of game developers". The competition was designed to offer both monetary and scholarship prizes, valued up to $300,000.The Challenge accepts games in playable, near-complete versions and, for games that have been released, limits such entries to those that have earned less than $100,000 prior to the competition. The Challenge allows entries for games that have already been submitted to other game contests. Once the judges have selected the finalists, a public vote for "Gamer's Choice" is started among the finalists for a $10,000 prize. The finalists are invited to the D.I.C.E. Summit, giving them exposure to major video game publishers and journalists, a lucrative opportunity for independent developers. After the major awards have been announced, the judges then select finalists to give graduate scholarships to SMU.
The first year of the Challenge drew more than 250 entries.
Finalists and winners
2010
FinalistsAaAaAA!!! – A Reckless Disregard for Gravity - Dejobaan GamesAltitude - Nimbly GamesClimb to the Top of the Castle - TwO Bros. GamesCogs - Lazy 8 StudiosDreamside Maroon - TerracedFieldrunners - Subatomic StudioGalactic Arms Race - Evolutionary Complexity Research Group at UCFGear - Team 3Miegakure - Marc ten BoschVessel - Strange Loop GamesWaker - Poof ProductionsZeit² - Brightside GamesWinnersGrand Prize Award - Cogs Grand Prize Award - Gear Technical Achievement - Altitude Achievement in Art Direction - Cogs Achievement in Gameplay - Cogs Gamer's Choice Award - ''Altitude''
2011
FinalistsConfetti Carnival - SpikySnail GamesFortix 2 - Nemesys GamesHazard: The Journey of Life - Alexander BruceInertia - Team HermesLimbo - PlaydeadMonaco: What's Yours is Mine - Pocketwatch GamesQ.U.B.E. - Toxic GamesSolace - One Man DownSpirits - Spaces of PlaySubsonic - Team Height AdvantageSymon - ZZZ GamesVanessa Saint-Pierre Delacroix & Her Nightmare - Bad PilcrowWinnersGrand Prize Winner : Limbo Grand Prize Winner : Inertia Kongregate Award: SymonTechnical Achievement: Inertia Achievement in Art Direction: Limbo Achievement in Gameplay: Inertia Gamer's Choice Award: ''Inertia''
2012
FinalistsAtom Zombie Smasher - Blendo GamesThe Bridge - Ty Taylor and Mario CastanedaClosure - Eyebrow InteractiveDemolition Inc. - ZeroscaleThe Dream Machine - Team DreamThe Fourth Wall - Team Pig TriggerNitronic Rush - Team NitronicParadox Shift - Paradox ShiftThe Swapper - Facepalm GamesSymphony - Empty Clip StudiosWinnersGrand Prize Winner: Closure Technical Achievement: Symphony Achievement in Gameplay: The Bridge Achievement in Art Direction: The Bridge GameStop PC Digital Download Award: SymphonyGamer's Choice Award: ''Nitronic Rush''
Indefinite hiatus
On December 15, 2012, game journalist website Polygon published an article with the following statement from Gamestop:"The 2012 - 13 Indie Game Challenge will be on hiatus while we take time to analyze ways to promote and celebrate the independent game movement. We have been committed and continue to be committed to supporting the independent game developer community. Post-DICE 2013 we will have more to share."As of, the competition has not returned.