in partnership with
in partnership with
Winners are recognized in the following categories in each Challenge city (Atlanta, Detroit, LA and NYC) and for the National competition. To compete in these categories, students must submit playable games about one of this year’s three Challenge themes (see: competition rules and guidelines).
Game Award Categories
Games are reviewed and scored by panels of expert jurors through three rounds of evaluation (including professionals from the games industry and theme topics). All games are evaluated using the following four categories of judging criteria:
Gameplay
Use of Theme
Originality
Wow Factor
Visit the Challenge theme pages to explore curated content related to each of the topics. Students may also learn more about the topics during game jam events scheduled throughout the Spring (see upcoming opportunities on the Events Page).
in partnership with
The Game Accessibility Challenge is a new competitive award category, created in partnership with award-winning games studio Numinous Games through their new project, the Playability Initiative – funded by Novartis Gene Therapies.
To compete for this special award, students must create a game that incorporates accessible design and supports the gameplay experience for players with one or more different types of disabilities (including visual, auditory, motor and/or cognitive/learning). Student games are only eligible for this award if they have been entered into one of the theme category awards (for playable games).
Students will be asked to provide a summary of accessibility features they have included in their project and describe how their design supports the gameplay experience for players with specific needs and abilities.
Prizes:
The winner will receive an Xbox Adaptive Controller and Logitech Adaptive Gaming Kit for themselves and another set for their school to playtest future accessible designs. The winning student will also have an opportunity to collaborate with Numinous Games on the design of Painted Waters. As a collaborator, they will receive a named associate designer credit in the game once it is released.
How to Submit:
To qualify for the Game Accessibility Award, students must meet all participation requirements and have entered a playable game about one of the three Challenge themes. Complete the section titled ‘Game Accessibility Challenge’ at the bottom of the entry form for playable games.
Game accessibility is as varied as the needs of the players, and often requires highly personalized, individual solutions. With that said, here are some general tips for considering the needs of gamers with visual disabilities, auditory disabilities, motor disabilities and cognitive disabilities.
Visual Disability
Visual disabilities may include low vision, blindness, and visual sensitivity disorders (like epilepsy and motion sickness). Here are some design criteria you may want to consider for gamers with visual disabilities:
Auditory Disability
Auditory disabilities may include impaired hearing, deafness, and auditory processing disorders. Here are some of the design criteria you may want to consider for gamers with auditory disabilities:
Motor Disability
Motor disabilities may include, paralysis, limited strength, limited muscle control, reduced mobility, reduced dexterity, limited range of motion, and limited reaction times. Here are some of the design criteria you may want to consider for gamers with motor disabilities:
Cognitive Disability
Cognitive disabilities may include, learning disabilities, slower cognitive processing times, impaired memory, issues of overstimulation, and limited or impaired literacy. Here are some of the design criteria you may want to consider for gamers with cognitive disabilities:
Additional Game Accessibility Resources
Explore in-depth resources and tools on the Game Accessibility Resources page, which features a list of basic accessibility features, introductory videos, and links to expert organizations leading the way in game accessibility.
The Fair Game Writing Challenge is a new competitive scholarship, sponsored by the New York Videogame Critics Circle. To participate, students must submit two writing samples, including a Video Game Review and a Game Narrative (see details below). Entry forms can be completed via the G4C competition portal between Feb 1 – April 16, 2021.
Fair Game submissions will be reviewed by panels of expert journalists, game executives and educators – and one student scholarship will be awarded in each Challenge city (NY, LA, Detroit and Atlanta) as well as for the national competition. Each winner will receive a $400 cash prize in addition to special mentorship opportunities from expert video game journalists and critics.
Submission Requirements:
Students must submit two writing samples to be considered for the Fair Game scholarship, including a Video Game Review and a Game Narrative. The writing samples must meet the following criteria:
Video Game Review (<600 words):
Write a review of your favorite video game and share what it means to you. Review entries should be formatted according to the following two resources: Game Review Checklist and How To Outline A Game Review.
Game Narrative (< 750 words):
Write a fictional game narrative/story for a game you want to make. Include a paragraph describing the game experience, gameplay mechanics and other features of the game. There are no formatting requirements for the Game Narrative – get creative!
To support student learning, G4C and the NY Videogame Critic Circle will offer two workshops on Game Writing during the month of March, 2021 (Check the Events Pg. for event info and registration details). Students can also explore the following resources on their own:
Expert judges will evaluate each writing sample for the Fair Game Writing Challenge according to the following criteria:
Video Game Review:
Narrative Story:
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