The Google Play contest returns with a Chromebook and a game development workshop giveaway for the lucky teens that get shortlisted.
The Change the Game Challenge is a Google Play contest that began in 2017. Google teams up with Girls Make Games once again this 2020 to look for the brightest teens with the best original mobile game ideas.
This year, the chosen 50 “game changers” will snag their very own Chromebook, which is worth US$800[AU$1234], and an opportunity to take part in a six-hour online game development workshop headed by Girls Make Games—retails typically about $10,000—and a chance to be mentored by the same organization.
Google has started accepting applications since May 11 and will continue to do so until July 31, 5:00 p.m. PT.
The Google Play contest mechanics
Google LLC is looking for teens between the ages of 13 and 18. All applicants must be U.S. citizens and should obtain parent’s or legal guardian’s permission prior to submitting their entries.
Every applicant is only allowed to submit one game idea entry with an interpretation of year’s theme entitled “What I want to see in the future.”
Per the official rules of the contest, all entries must include the following:
- Game description
- Game inspiration
- Game storyline (with attached sketches or additional documentation)
We have some big news: we've partnered with @GooglePlay's #ChangeTheGame Design Challenge!
Teens, send in your game idea for a chance to score awesome prizes including an online #gamedev workshop w/GMG + a new Chromebook!
Learn more and apply here:???? https://t.co/XQLy4iNbA7 pic.twitter.com/R0tscJYNko
— Girls Make Games (@GirlsMakeGames) May 11, 2020
Furthermore, applicants should also submit a maximum 500-word written statement answering one of the following questions:
- Why are you passionate about game making?
- What change do you want to see in the future of the video/mobile gaming industry?
Once selected, the young game changers will have to finish the entire workshop course with Girls Make Games first before they receive their very own Chromebook and other materials that’ll help boost their game dev skills.
Based on the guidelines, the final participants can choose which workshop to attend, as there are four sessions, and select from the available dates offered by the hosts.
Criteria for judging
Accordingly, the hosts are going to select the lucky 50 teens based on their respective Entry Forms—including any attached sketches, wireframes, or other documentation—which is worth 50% and another 50% for the submitted 500-word written statement.
The judging criteria for the Entry Forms include:
- The comprehensiveness of Game concept
- Creativity and originality
- Quality of game mechanics
- Quality of game narrative (if any)
- Degree of mobile device compatibility.
Meanwhile, the written essay will be judged according to its content, informative nature, and scope.
Each both the content of the Entry Form and the written essay will be scored from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest score. The selected final participants will be notified starting May 31.
Last year’s challenge winners
Last year, Google and Girls Make Games chose five finalists—Anna, Neha, Grace, Bridget, and Krista—to be awarded $15,000 worth of college scholarship and another $15,000 as tech donation to the winners’ schools or community centers.
Aside from the monetary prizes, Google and Girls Make Games also helped the young tech geniuses further develop their game designs before officially launching them on Google Play.
Check out the application tool kit here, and head to the Google Play website to submit your entries!
Featured image courtesy of Google Play