Organizers of the Independent Games Festival China, which runs in conjunction with the Game Developers Conference China, have officially announced a call for indie game submissions from the pan-Pacific area now through Thursday, September 1.
Following on its success in past years, GDC China will continue to host the three main elements of IGF China, including the Independent Games Summit, which provides valuable conference sessions specializing in the challenges of independent game development.
These include the Independent Games Festival Pavilion, an onsite exhibition of the very best in local indie games, and the Independent Games Festival Awards, which honors the work of the talented pool of local independent game developers.
The 2011 IGF China Main Competition will give out awards and cash prizes in five categories, including:
- Best Game (RMB20,000 ~ $3,060 USD)
- Mobile Best Game (RMB10, 000 ~ $1,530 USD)
- Excellence In Audio (RMB5,000 ~ $760 USD)
- Excellence In Technology (RMB5,000 ~ $760 USD)
- Excellence In Visual Arts (RMB5,000 ~ $760 USD)
Finalists -- who will receive VIP and expo passes to attend GDC China and the IGF awards ceremony on November 12, 2011 -- will be chosen by a panel of expert jurors including Kevin Li (CEO, TipCat Interactive); Monte Singman (CEO, Radiance Digital Entertainment); Xubo Yang (Director of Digital Art Lab and Assistant Professor; Shanghai Jiaotong University's School of Software), and jury chairman Simon Carless, IGF Chairman Emeritus and EVP of the GDC shows and Gamasutra.
Last year's event saw more than 80 entries for the Main Competition and the Student Competition, including entries from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, India, Iran and more. Winners from last year include titles like Best Game winner Sugar Cube (Turtle Cream - South Korea), ButaVX: Justice Fighter (Nekomura Games - Singapore) for Excellence in Visual Arts, and Skillz: The DJ Game (Playpen Studios - Hong Kong) for Excellence In Audio.
Key dates for IGF China include:
- May 6th, 2011 - Submissions are Open
- September 1st, 2011- Submission Deadline
- September 23rd, 2011- Finalists Announced
- November 12th-14th, 2011 - Game Developers Conference China 2011
- November 13th, 2011 - Independent Games Summit @ GDC China
- November 12th, 2011 - IGF China Awards Ceremony (Winners Announced!)
- November 12th-13th, 2011 - IGF China Pavilion @ GDC China
"We're proud to have IGF China as an integral part of the 2011 GDC China event," said IGF Chairman Emeritus Simon Carless. "IGF China 2011 further broadens the scope of games, not just in geography, but in new and exciting game play ideas as well."
"The world of gaming, and independent games in particular, has benefited immeasurably from the influence of a diverse set of voices and perspectives," he continued. "IGF China provides the perfect showcase for an emerging group of developers."
GDC China moves to the notable new expanded venue of the Shanghai Exhibition Center in Shanghai, China for three days, November 12 - 14, 2011. For more details and information on IGF China please visit GDC China's official website, which includes an IGF China info and submissions page.
