Havok and Intel Sponsor Game Physics Innovation Contest

Havok, which makes the Havok Physics software, and Intel are holding a game physics innovation competition for amateur game developers (students included) with all-access GDC 2009 passes and $40,000 cash as prizes. According to a press release, the contest will be scouting “the next big thing in video game development.” Titled the Havok Physics Innovation Contest, amateur game developers are being asked to create an inventive, playable PC game demo using the PC version of the Havok Physics software. A panel of five judges, including representatives from Havok and Intel, will review the submissions and name winners based primarily on the following criteria:

• use of physics in a way that has not been seen before • realistic user interaction • responsiveness • high quality visual content • technical, detail accuracy of content submitted • originality of content submitted • value to the community

Four overall winners will be announced at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco in March 2009. In addition to a cash prize, each winner will receive an all-access pass to the conference. Havok is also giving top-of-the-line PC equipment to the two entrants who devise technical content that shares physics knowledge with the broader developer base. Entrants are encouraged to submit code samples, optimization tips, whitepapers and other technical content that can benefit the larger software developer community. For complete details of the contest, see www.havok.com/contest.