Dare to be Digital, which is organised by Abertay University, is this year more open than ever – with applications welcome from teams of up to eight members, and including games that have been developed during university degrees or from game jams.
Previously Dare to be Digital teams had just eight weeks to develop a new prototype game from scratch, excluding any student projects or games originally created at an event like the Global Game Jam.
Professor Gregor White of Abertay University said: “Dare to be Digital is a life-changing experience for aspiring game developers, and this year we’re calling for a much wider range of game ideas from all over the world.
“Creativity and innovation are key to success in Dare, and with mentors including Denki, Ninja Kiwi, Reflections, SEGA and Tag Games everyone who takes part will learn huge amounts about professional game development in preparation for a career at an established studio or starting their own business.”
Students keen to take part – and compete for prizes from BAFTA, Channel 4 and others – will this year develop their game at home or their own university, before travelling to Dundee to showcase their game at the UK’s biggest independent game festival, Dare ProtoPlay.
Games industry experts pick 15 teams who have the summer to complete their game before travelling to Dundee for Dare ProtoPlay.
Students from all over the world can apply, and need the endorsement of a member of teaching staff from their university. Free accommodation will be provided in Dundee from Saturday 8 to Tuesday 18 August to allow all the teams to set their games up for Dare ProtoPlay, which runs from Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 August in Dundee’s Caird Hall and City Square.
Students also have the extra freedom to use their own computers and tablets this year, giving them greater flexibility in terms how they choose to develop their games.
At Dare ProtoPlay three winners are selected by a games industry panel. These three go forward to the British Academy Games Awards as the exclusive nominees for the BAFTA Ones to Watch Award.
Entries should be made online at the Dare to be Digital website – https://www.daretobedigital.com/73_Apply.html – by 5pm UK time on Monday 4 May for a chance to win the next BAFTA Ones to Watch Award.
Picture courtesy of BAFTA
