Serious Games Competition
This competition is now closed. The winning entries were Outbreakby Bowman and Inokon, Mobile Games for Out-of-School Children in the Developing World to Learn English as a Second Language by Matthew Kam et al., and Hot Books by Nick Reid
In conjunction with 060606, the Center for New Media hosted a Serious Games Competition as part of the Bears Breaking Boundaries Contest.
Description and Background
A recently retired executive from the game industry has approached Cal with an interesting assignment. "I really think games could be used for a broader set of national purposes than teaching kids how to kill monsters and take their treasure. I'd like to see some games that support education, life-long learning, health care, and response to national and man-made disasters. Got any ideas?"
This contest is about the design of what is being called in various industry and academic circles as "Serious Games." This idea of "seriousness" means different things to different people. And, there is serious debate about what this notion might mean and its implications for the design of new games. This is not just a debate where academics and theorists ponder, analyze, and critique games and culture. The government, schools, social organizations, business, and other groups have all begun to turn their attention to the ubiquity of games and play in society and have wondered how to harness the game form for their own interests.
Here is your chance to contribute to that debate, not just through intelligent thinking and reasoning, but through design.
The Center for New Media, the host for this competition, has dedicated 060606 to the topic of Serious Games. We have posed a tricky question: "Down with Serious Games?" which can be read to in ways that support and criticize the notion of seriousness and games.
Understanding some of the points on both sides of this debate may help you determine what your best attempt at a "Serious Game" might look like. And, as neither side of the debate can predict the future, here is your chance to shape that debate by coming up with ideas that may not even be on the radar screen.
Deliverables and Deadline
In presenting your ideas, we ask for two things: 1) a white paper, ten pages in length (not including any appendices), and 2) a project website that could include game mockups, prototypes, video of playtests, background research, or any other "figure" to support your work.
The deadline for submissions is 5:00pm PST on June 1, 2006.
To Submit: email your white paper and a link to your project website to: games dot cal <at> gmail dot com
Prizes and Judging
A total of $8500 in cash prizes is available, which will be allocated as follows:
- First place: up to $5000
- Second place: up to $2500
- Third place: up to $1000
The quality of the submissions, including the team's interests in taking the design concept to the next step, will determine the final award. The cash can be used as scholarships or to support the proposed project or idea (e.g. research, travel, workshops, miscellaneous expenses). Winners who intend to use the money to suport their proposed idea or project will be required to have a faculty advisor. This is not required at the time of submission.
At least one member of the team must be a UC Berkeley undergraduate or graduate student. Multidisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged but not required.
Contest winners will be announced at 060606. The judges for this contest will be game designers, critics, and your peers (who decide to attend the conference). Decisions of the judges are final and not subject to appeal.
Required information
White papers must include:
- Names, brief bios, and contact information of team members, including major or school, and student status.
- Whether or not you consent to public, online dissemination of the white paper
- A few paragraphs on what you would do with any prize money
More details about suggestions for the format of the white paper will be announced over the next several weeks.