Each of the competition’s regional divisions (Northeast, South, Midwest, and West) will recognize winners in the following categories:
Each of the competition’s regional divisions (Northeast, South, Midwest, and West) will recognize winners in the following categories:
Climate Action Heroes – Junior level
Climate Action Heroes – Senior level
Give Peace a Chance – Junior level
Give Peace a Chance – Senior level
Positive Play: Designing Inclusive Virtual Worlds – Junior level
Positive Play: Designing Inclusive Virtual Worlds – Senior level
Regional Champion – Junior level
Regional Champion – Senior level
*Denotes Specialty Award Categories
Regional Champions will advance to compete on the national level for the chance to win the title of National Champion (National Champions will receive a $10,000 scholarship, generously provided by Take-Two Interactive).
Find out more about our Specialty Award categories below.
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Games about one of this year’s 3 Themes that include accessibility features will be considered for this award.
Designing for accessibility means introducing one or more accessibility features to support the gameplay experience for players with different types of disabilities (visual, auditory, motor, and/or cognitive/learning). When we design in a more inclusive way, we break down barriers that prevent some people from playing and enjoying games and ultimately create a more positive gaming experience for everyone!
Judging Criteria:
Projects submitted to the Game Accessibility Challenge will be evaluated by a panel of expert game designers according to the following rubric:
Written Summary:
Design Solution:
Difficulty of Challenge Attempted
Games about one of this year’s 3 Themes that were created for an extended reality experience will be considered for this award.
Extended reality includes augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Games can be created using CoSpaces or any other similar platform as long as it meets the Challenge’s game guidelines. Don’t know where to start? Check out or CoSpaces curriculum!
If you need access to CoSpaces, please email [email protected].
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The Fair Game Writing Challenge is a competitive writing award category and scholarship. To participate, students submit two writing samples: an original Poem and a critical Video Game Review. There is no digital game-making involved in this award category. Students will work on their writing samples as an individual (no teams). Students are limited to one Fair Game entry each, containing both of the following writing samples:
Fair Game submissions will be reviewed by panels of expert journalists and game executives. One student winner will be selected from each of the 4 Challenge regions. Winners will receive a $600 cash prize, special mentorship opportunities from expert video game journalists and critics, and a potential publication opportunity.
Judging Criteria:
Expert judges will evaluate each writing sample according to the following criteria:
Poem:
Video Game Review:
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Are you an artist? Are you more interested in creative art and design than in coding and game design? Consider submitting one of your designs to the Character Design Competition!
Your Mission: Design a character living in a virtual game world related to one of the three themes: Climate Action Heroes, Give Peace a Chance, and Positive Play: Designing Inclusive Virtual Worlds. We want to know details about your character, including their backstory, personality, costume and tools, and their role in the game!
Artwork can be done by hand or digitally created. All artwork can be uploaded to the submission form as images (JPG, PNG) or PDF files (maximum of 10 files). The submission form will also ask you to provide written details to help us learn more about your character.
Artwork Requirements:
Written Requirements:
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