Imagine Cup 2009 :: Game Development Invitational

Competition Process

Judging Criteria

Complete rules and guidelines

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Imagine Cup 2009 > Project Competitions

Welcome to the
Game Development Invitational

Do you dream in 2 or 3D? Have you saved so many princesses that you have lost count? Do you hear musical chimes when you problem solve? Do you tirelessly critique games you play and believe you can do better? If you answered yes to any of the above questions then Imagine Cup Game Design is the challenge for you.

The Game Development invitational challenges students to create a game that illustrates the Imagine Cup theme "Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today". Teams of up to four eligible students submit original entries through two entry rounds before making it to the finals in Cairo, Egypt.

Prizes

Six (6) Finalist Prizes. All Finalists will receive a trip to Cairo, Egypt to compete in the Worldwide Imagine Cup 2009 Finals. Trip includes round trip air travel, hotel accommodations and select meals.
One (1) First Place Prize: A prize package consisting of the following:
- $25,000 USD, to be divided equally among each member of the Team
- A Microsoft IT Academy and Microsoft Learning Prize Package (ARV, $200), for each member of the Team, that consists of the following:
  - Microsoft Press books
  - A Microsoft Certification Exam voucher
One (1) Second Place Prize: $10,000 USD
One (1) Third Place Prize: $5,000 USD

Competition Timeline:

ROUND	START DATE (all times 12:01 AM GMT)	END DATE (all times 11:59 PM GMT)
Round 1	August 29, 2008	March 1, 2009
Round 2	March 2, 2009	May 20, 2009
Worldwide Finals	July 2009

Ready to get started?

as a participant of the Imagine Cup and select Game Design.
Get the resources you need
- XNA development resources available on the XNA Creators Club web site at: http://creators.xna.com
- You can download XNA Game Studio and a Creators Club membership through DreamSpark
Submit your entry

Content and technical requirements for all entries

The Game must be developed using the software tools described below:
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 SP1 or Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
- Microsoft^® XNA^TM Game Studio 2.0 or 3.0
The Game must be developed for operation on one of the following platforms:
- Windows XP SP2
- Windows Vista
- Xbox 360 - In order to develop a Game for operation on the Xbox 360 platform, you must be a XNA Creators Club Member in good standing. See www.creators.xna.com for details.
The content of the Game must address a social cause connected to the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme: "Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today"
The content of the Game must be equivalent to an Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating of "E" for Everyone. (See www.esrb.org for details).
The judges must be able to play the Game, as specified in the XNA Game Studio Toolkit.
All entry materials must be submitted and presented in the English language.

Read the Full rules and guidelines

Competition Process

Round 1 - Qualifying

Your Team must create and submit the materials described below before March 1, 2009 11:59 PM (GMT)

Required Deliverables

Game Demo, included in your .zip file submission as an electronic file of no more than 150 MB in size in the .ccgame format. Do not include any source code in your .ccgame file. If your .ccgame file includes source code, you will be disqualified.
Create a short, playable video game application comprised of at least one (1) playable level that illustrates the gameplay and features of the final Game that you would like to develop; final graphics are not required, but the Game Demo should represent the conceptual art direction of the Game that you would like to develop.
Game Summary, included in your .zip file submission as an electronic file in the .doc, .docx, .pdf or .txt file format. Write a short description (150 words maximum) of the Game including its premise, unique gameplay features and how it addresses the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme. If pre-existing source code is incorporated into the Game, then this pre-existing source code must be clearly identified in the Game Summary. Before incorporating any pre-existing source code in the Game, make sure that your inclusion of such pre-existing source code in your Game does not infringe on any third party rights, and is used in accordance with all applicable licensing and use terms.
Gameplay Instructions, included in your .zip file submission as a game screen or readme file.

Optional Deliverables

Game Development Plan
Create a technical plan and development schedule for development of your Game.
NOTE: Sample templates will be available on www.imaginecup.com). The use of our provided templates is not required, but is strongly recommended.
Storyboards
Create storyboards to illustrate how your Game will be organized from start to finish.
NOTE: Sample templates will be available on www.imaginecup.com. The use of our provided templates is not required, but is strongly recommended.

Round 2 — Semi-Finals

If you are invited to advance to compete in Round 2 your team must create and submit the materials described below by May 20, 2009 11:59 PM (GMT)

Game

Included in your .zip file submission as an electronic file of no more than 150 MB in size in the .ccgame format. Do not include any source code in your .ccgame file. If your .ccgame file includes source code, you will be disqualified.
- A 100% playable video game application, based on the Game Demo submitted in Round 1; at least one complete level and near final graphics required.

Game Summary

Included in your .zip file submission as an electronic file in the .doc, .docx, .pdf or .txt file format.
- Write a description (200 words maximum) of the Game including its premise, unique gameplay features and how it addresses the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme. If pre-existing source code is incorporated into the Game, then this pre-existing source code must be clearly identified in the Game Summary. Before incorporating any pre-existing source code in the Game, make sure that your inclusion of such pre-existing source code in your Game does not infringe on any third party rights, and is used in accordance with all applicable licensing and use terms.

Three (3) Game Screenshots

Each included in your .zip file submission as an electronic file in the .jpeg format. The Game Screenshots should not exceed a combined file size of 2MB.
- Take three (3) screenshots of the Game that capture the gameplay and style of the Game as accurately as possible; do not include any unfinished artwork or graphical artifacts.

Gameplay Instructions

Included in your .zip file submission as a game screen or readme file.

Game Video

Included in your .zip file submission as an electronic file of no more than 25MB in the following file formats: .avi. .wmv, .mpeg, .mp4.
- Create a short video (3 minutes max) that depicts the functionality and gameplay features of the Game.

Round 3 — Worldwide Finals

Six teams will be invited to Cairo, Egypt. At that time you will make a presentation of up to thirty (30) minutes to a panel of judges and participate in a Q&A Session with the judging panel.

Judging criteria

Round 1 — Qualifying
At the conclusion of the Round 1 Entry Period, all eligible entries received will be reviewed by a panel (or panels) of qualified judges based on the judging criteria set forth below to determine up to one hundred and fifty (150) of the top Teams (each, a "Semi-Finalist") that will advance to compete in Round 2 of the Invitational.

Round 1 Judging Criteria:

30% Fun Factor: How creative and technically unique is the Game?
20% Theme: How well does the Game address the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme?
20% Innovation: How intense, exciting, and entertaining are the attributes of the Game?
30% Production Quality: How complete is the Game including its polish of design, functionality and thematic execution?

Round 2 — Semi-Finals
At the conclusion of the Round 2 Entry Period, all eligible entries received will be reviewed by a panel (or panels) of qualified judges based on the judging criteria set forth below to determine up to six (6) of the top Teams (each, a "Finalist") that will advance to compete at the Worldwide Finals.

Round 2 Judging Criteria

20% Fun Factor: How creative and technically unique is the Game?
20% Theme: How well does the Game address the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme?
20% Innovation: How intense, exciting, and entertaining are the attributes of the Game?
20% Production Quality: How complete is the Game including its polish of design, functionality and thematic execution?
20% Presentation: How clear and precise is the Game Summary, Gameplay Instructions and Game Video?

Round 3 — Worldwide Finals

At the conclusion of the Round 3, all eligible entries received will be reviewed by a panel (or panels) of qualified judges based on the judging criteria set forth below to determine the First, Second and Third Place Teams.

Round 3 Judging Criteria

25% Fun Factor: How creative and technically unique is the Game?
20% Theme: How well does the Game address the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme?
20% Innovation: How intense, exciting, and entertaining are the attributes of the Game?
20% Production Quality: How complete is the Game including its polish of design, functionality and thematic execution?
15% Live Presentation: How well did you present your Game and answer the questions of the judging panel(s)?

Complete rules and guidelines:

The Registration Period begins on August 29, 2008, at 12:01 AM GMT, and ends on March 1, 2009, at 11:59 PM GMT ("Registration Period").

If you wish to participate in this Invitational, you must register at www.imaginecup.com as instructed during the Registration Period, either individually, or as a member of a Team. If you wish to register as an individual, at time of registration, you will need to create a Team and join it as an individual. If you wish to register as a member of a Team, at time of registration, you must identify your Team. You cannot change Teams or otherwise remove yourself or anyone else from your Team after the close of the Registration Period.

A Team may consist up to four (4) eligible students (each a "Team"). Your Team does not need to consist of members who are legal residents of the same country/region, or students at the same school, but your Team can only represent one (1) country/region. It is recommended, but not required that you have one (1) mentor for your Team, in addition to your four (4) Team members. Limit one (1) mentor per Team.

WHAT CONSTITUTES AN ELIGIBLE ENTRY?

Each Round has unique entry requirements, described below. All required entry deliverables must be received within the designated Round in order for your entry to be eligible for judging.

Round 1 — Qualifying
During Round 1, your Team must create and submit the materials described below:

Required Deliverables

Game Demo, included in your .zip file submission as an electronic file of no more than 150 MB in size in the .ccgame format. Do not include any source code in your .ccgame file. If your .ccgame file includes source code, you will be disqualified.
Create a short, playable video game application comprised of at least one (1) playable level that illustrates the gameplay and features of the final Game that you would like to develop; final graphics are not required, but the Game Demo should represent the conceptual art direction of the Game that you would like to develop.
Game Summary, included in your .zip file submission as an electronic file in the .doc, .docx, .pdf or .txt file format.
Write a short description (150 words maximum) of the Game including its premise, unique gameplay features and how it addresses the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme. If pre-existing source code is incorporated into the Game, then this pre-existing source code must be clearly identified in the Game Summary. Before incorporating any pre-existing source code in the Game, make sure that your inclusion of such pre-existing source code in your Game does not infringe on any third party rights, and is used in accordance with all applicable licensing and use terms.
Gameplay Instructions, included in your .zip file submission as a game screen or readme file.

Optional Deliverables

Game Development Plan
Create a technical plan and development schedule for development of your Game.
NOTE: Sample templates will be available on www.imaginecup.com). The use of our provided templates is not required, but is strongly recommended.
Storyboards
Create storyboards to illustrate how your Game will be organized from start to finish.
NOTE: Sample templates will be available on www.imaginecup.com. The use of our provided templates is not required, but is strongly recommended.

Round 2 — Semi-Finals
During Round 2, your Team (if you are invited to advance to compete in Round 2) must create and submit the materials described below:

Game

included in your .zip file submission as an electronic file of no more than 150 MB in size in the .ccgame format. Do not include any source code in your .ccgame file. If your .ccgame file includes source code, you will be disqualified.
- A 100% playable video game application, based on the Game Demo submitted in Round 1; at least one complete level and near final graphics required.

Game Summary

included in your .zip file submission as an electronic file in the .doc, .docx, .pdf or .txt file format.
- Write a description (200 words maximum) of the Game including its premise, unique gameplay features and how it addresses the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme. If pre-existing source code is incorporated into the Game, then this pre-existing source code must be clearly identified in the Game Summary. Before incorporating any pre-existing source code in the Game, make sure that your inclusion of such pre-existing source code in your Game does not infringe on any third party rights, and is used in accordance with all applicable licensing and use terms.

Three (3) Game Screenshots

Each included in your .zip file submission as an electronic file in the .jpeg format. The Game Screenshots should not exceed a combined file size of 2MB.
- Take three (3) screenshots of the Game that capture the gameplay and style of the Game as accurately as possible; do not include any unfinished artwork or graphical artifacts.

Gameplay Instructions

Included in your .zip file submission as a game screen or readme file.

Game Video

Included in your .zip file submission as an electronic file of no more than 25MB in the following file formats: .avi. .wmv, .mpeg, .mp4.
- Create a short video (3 minutes max) that depicts the functionality and gameplay features of the Game.

Round 3 — Worldwide Finals
During Round 3, your Team (if you are invited to advance to compete in Round 3) will make a presentation of up to thirty (30) minutes to a panel of judges and participate in a Q&A Session with the judging panel.

CONTENT AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRIES
In addition to the unique entry requirements for each Round described above, during all Rounds of this Invitational, your entry / entry materials must meet the following content and technical requirements.

The Game must not be a game that we have awarded an Xbox LIVE publishing agreement, or a Game that, prior to entry in this Invitational, we are actively considering for an Xbox LIVE publishing agreement.
The Game must be developed using the software tools described below:
Round 1
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 SP1 or Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
- Microsoft^® XNA^TM Game Studio 2.0
  - Download XNA Game Studio 2.0 for free at http://creators.xna.com/en-US/create_detail#tour_one
Round 2
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 SP1 or Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
- Microsoft^® XNA^TM Game Studio 2.0 or 3.0
Round 3
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 SP1 or Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition
- Microsoft^® XNA^TM Game Studio 3.0

The Game must be developed for operation on one of the following platforms:

Windows XP SP2
Windows Vista
Xbox 360 - In order to develop a Game for operation on the Xbox 360 platform, you must be a XNA Creators Club Member in good standing. See www.creators.xna.com for details.

The content of the Game must address a social cause connected to the 2009 Imagine Cup Theme:"Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today".
The content of the Game must be equivalent to an Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating of "E" for Everyone. (See www.esrb.org for details).
The judges must be able to play the Game, as specified in the XNA Game Studio Toolkit.
All entry materials must be submitted and presented in the English language.

How do I submit my entry?

To submit your entry for Round 1 navigate to https://imaginecup.com/Registration/Default.aspx, register for the Game Development Invitational as an individual, or as a member of a Team, and then submit your Round 1 entry deliverables in a single .zip file (i.e., a .zip file containing the Game Demo (required), Game Summary (required), Gameplay Instructions (required), Game Development Plan (optional), and Storyboards (optional)) as instructed before the close of the Round 1 deadline.

To submit your entry for Round 2, navigate to https://imaginecup.com/Registration/Default.aspx and submit the required entry deliverables in a single .zip file (i.e., a .zip file containing the Game, Game Summary, Three Game Screenshots, Gameplay Instructions and Game Video) as instructed before the close of the Round 2 deadline.

Entry Limit

We will only accept one (1) entry per Team. However, if you advance beyond Round 1, you may iterate or improve upon the Game you submitted in Round 1.