GameDev.net Launches Four Elements Game Contest

Superpig writes "GameDev.net has just launched their annual Four Elements contest. Participants are given just under six months to make a game based around four elements: this year, it's Emotion, Economics, Emblem, and Europe. Any tools or middleware can be used, provided it's all legal. The prize pool looks a bit thin at the moment, but in past years they've had folks like ATI and SoftImage donating mid-contest, so it'll probably pick up as time goes on."

Is boredom an emotion?

[pjt33]

If boredom is an emotion then maybe the French Finance Minister should submit his Balance the Budget [guardian.co.uk] game.

Prize Size?

[imunfair]

I don't quite understand the prizes - looking at the previous year: http://www.gamedev.net/community/contest/4e4/ [gamedev.net]

The top winner didn't get much in the way of prizes. Softimage XSI, yeah I know it's expensive - but if the developer is already making games without it, it's questionable whether he needs it or not. The rest of the prizes are fairly small.

So does winning this contest gain you a considerable amount of notoriety or am I missing something?

Re:Prize Size?

[Aladrin]

I think maybe you should take some time to read up on Opportunity Cost [wikipedia.org]

As for the contest and its prizes...

I'm a coder and I've followed game development (even though I'm not in the industry, even as a hobby) for quite a few years and I've never heard of this contest. It's pretty safe to say that they only thing you get out of this contest other than some questionable prizes is a really nice line on your resume and bragging rights.

More accessible competitions

[Richard Jones]

Given the length and open scope of this competition it's probably out of reach of most hobbyist game programmers. For more accessible challenges, see or the gamecompo [gamecompo.com] website or pyweek [pyweek.org]. Disclaimer: I have previously run LD48 challenges and now run pyweek.

Re:More accessible competitions

[KDR_11k]

Probably because all the pros have signed contracts with non-compete clauses.

Re:More accessible competitions

[Richard Jones]

Most casual game developers I talk to find it much easier to commit to a shorter timeframe.

Uh Huh

[Umbral Blot]

I hate to sound snide, but asking a bunch of computer geeks, notoriously out of touch with their feelings, to make a game about/with emotions is asking for trouble.

Re:Uh Huh

[Chelloveck]

I hate to sound snide, but asking a bunch of computer geeks, notoriously out of touch with their feelings, to make a game about/with emotions is asking for trouble.

I guess you've never heard of the emotional romp that is Super Princess Peach [ign.com].

Re:Uh Huh

[GeekDork]

OTOH, so is asking most slashdot readers for their opinion on politics. Or emotions.

Re:Uh Huh

[Patrik_AKA_RedX]

That's already done before. I think the Larry-games captured geek-feelings perfectly.

Windows only - BOO!

[5plicer]

Rule #10: The entry must be able to run on Microsoft Windows to qualify. In other words, standard Windows executables, Flash, browser-based games, etc. all qualify as long as we can use the entry on our judging machines.

Re:Windows only - BOO!

[Profound]

The entry must be able to run on Microsoft Windows != Windows Only

Re:Windows only - BOO!

[5plicer]

By Windows only, I mean that only MS Windows compatible entries will be accepted. In other words, if you're part of the crowd that can't morally justify running (let alone developing for) Windows, then you can't participate in the contest.

Re:Windows only - BOO!

[Watson Ladd]

So use Cygwin or MiniGW. Or Java. Cross-Platform development is possible.

game genres

[lon3st4r]

this year, it's Emotion, Economics, Emblem, and Europe

So are we going to see games based on tear-jerker soap operas...?

cut-scenes from the game: bill disappears (grief).. bill reappears (joy).. oh-no it's his evil twin (despair) .. oh-no it was him (surprise) .. oh-no! they're all dead (mourn).. oh-yes! they survived, what a miracle! (befuddled!)

needless to say, to win the game, you'll have to introduce the maximum number of twists in the tale.

* lon3st4r *

ps: you can send somebody back-packing through

I got an idea

[vk38]

"Da Vinci Code -- The Game". It has all the required ingredients...

a flash of brilliance

[SEAL]

Emotion, Economics, Emblem, and Europe.

We can cover all of that with an online game to auction off Nazi memorabilia! Of course it'll be illegal in most of Europe but hey that's why America is great. I think for my encore I'm gonna go wander off and report some people to the U.S. secret police for downloading porn.