Massachusetts Digital Games Institute Hosts Game Development Competition & Educational Workshop

WORCESTER, Mass., Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDiGI), based at Becker College, announces the MassDiGI Game Challenge, a one-of-a-kind event to help aspiring game developers launch new games. The MassDiGI Game Challenge will be held April 13–15, 2012, in Cambridge, Mass. and allows participants to compete for a chance to release their game concept to the world. Registration is now open. For more information or to register, please visit www.massdigi.org/gamechallenge. 

Participating teams will work to create a game concept or prototype, collaborate with industry mentors, and pitch their game to a panel of judges. Winners in multiple categories will develop and publish their game later this year utilizing resources provided by sponsors including Penny Arcade, Microsoft, Hitpoint Studios, Research in Motion, Muzzy Lane, Mass Technology Leadership Council, and Lycos/Gamesville. In addition to the competition, the three-day event will feature a job fair, a showcase of locally created products, an awards reception, and numerous learning opportunities targeted toward attendees already a part of the game industry, or those looking to break into the industry.

"Massachusetts has witnessed tremendous energy and activity within the digital games industry over the last few years," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray. "The establishment of MassDiGI has not only raised the visibility of the state's game cluster, but has also increased collaboration across academia, industry, and government. The Game Challenge is yet another step towards enhancing this partnership that continues to encourage entrepreneurship, workforce training, economic development, and job creation."

"Work at MassDiGI is in full swing, and we are excited to kick off the year with our Game Challenge event," said Tim Loew, executive director of MassDiGI. "The Game Challenge will help us reach goals originally set at our founding, such as promoting entrepreneurship and academic cooperation, as well as connecting students with game industry professionals."

The MassDiGI Game Challenge (#digichallenge) will be held at the Microsoft New England Research & Development Center (NERD Center) at One Memorial Drive in Cambridge. The event will require a small fee for those participating in the competition portion.

About the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (Mass DiGI)

The Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDiGI) is a statewide center, designated by the Commonwealth, for academic cooperation, economic development, and job creation in the Massachusetts digital games cluster. Based at Becker College, MassDiGI is the result of innovative collaboration among academia, state government, and industry, aimed at fostering the growth of the creative economy in Massachusetts. In addition, MassDiGI is a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center.

Since starting up, MassDiGI has launched several initiatives that support entrepreneurship and enhance the talent pipeline between higher education and the digital games industry. Specific initiatives include the Reverse Sabbatical Program and the Virtual Production Lab – both of which bring student teams, faculty, and industry professionals together to work on creative projects in a real game development environment. Numerous other initiatives, including the MassDiGI Game Challenge and Summer Innovation Program and those that focus on STEM/K-12 education and industry data gathering/benchmarking, will also be rolled out in 2012.

For more information about MassDiGI, visit www.massdigi.org, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Contact:

Elicia Basoli
For MassDiGI
617-877-7497
[email protected]

Sandy Lashin-Curewitz, Director of Media Relations and Public Affairs
Becker College
Phone: 508-373-9529                            
Cell: 508-887-2388
[email protected]

SOURCE Massachusetts Digital Games Institute