Scottish Government Launches Glasgow 2014 Contest For Students

The Scottish government on Monday announced a competition that invites students to submit ideas for a game inspired by the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Full- or part-time students studying in Scotland's higher education institutions may submit digital game concepts that "align with the ideals of the Commonwealth Games Federation -- humanity, destiny and equality -- and the Glasgow 2014 brand -- living life to the full, endeavour, responsibility, stylish, genuine and fun." Students taking any course of study can participate -- they do not have to be taking any particular computer science, game or art classes. The competition is open now until midnight, April 4, 2011. The winner and runner-up will each receive £2,014 ($3,221) in cash. The winner will work with 4J Studios to turn the concept into a working game that will become a free-to-play game on the official Glasgow 2014 website. The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sporting event that includes countries in the Commonwealth of Nations, such as Australia, Canada, India and Scotland, among others. Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health and Sport said in a statement, "The games development sector is a Scottish success story and a vital part of our creative industries." Glasgow 2014 chief executive John Scott added, "Scotland has a exceptional computer games industry and we want it to play an important part of Glasgow 2014, starting with this competition to get students involved in creating a game to go on our website." Organizers for the event said developer 4J Studios won the contract through the Public Contracts Scotland Portal’s open procedure. The developer has worked on conversions of Rare-created original games for Xbox Live Arcade including Perfect Dark, Banjo Kazooie and Banjo Tooie, as well as the PlayStation 3 conversion of Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.