38 Studios Announces Mass. Game Challenge

Boston-based game development outfit 38 Studios is launching a new annual game development contest for university students studying game design in New England. Titled the Massachusetts Game Challenge, the competition will have students in teams of only two or three build a game featuring the company’s mascot, a little green globule with eyes and teeth called Munch. Submissions will be accepted through February 18, 2008, and the winners will be announced in April. The rules of the competition stipulate that teams much “build a playable video game featuring the 38 Studios mascot and his alter ego, Mean Munch, as well as create additional characters for Munch's ‘posse.’” Students will also be required to send in a written “vision for launching the product into the existing video game industry.” Entries will be judged on degree of overall finished product; originality; visual polish; stability; length of quality gameplay; and expanded market vision and product strategy. “We view this challenge as a fun way to energize local engineers, artists, designers, and marketers to show off their skills and gain recognition,” said Brett Close, president and CEO of the one-year old company in a press release. “We also love working with the amazing universities in the area, as they’re nurturing the next wave of talented game developers." For complete rules and other details regarding the contest, visit www.38studios.com.