Competition

Important information

An overview of NGA can be found at: About Be sure to read the rules of the competition: Rules The submission guideline for games and concept documents: Submission guideline The criteria your game will be judged on by the jury: Prizes Stay up to date by following NGA on twitter Like NGA on Facebook See video's from NGA on our YouTube channel

Registration and deadline

You can register your profile and create a team at any time. We encourage you to do this as early as possible, and upload screenshots to create a hype around your game (after all, people are not very likely going to copy your game).

The submission deadline for NGA 2012 has not yet been set.

But what if I don't know how to program?

Game development is not only programming. A good game needs a good concept, good music and nice graphics, and it all has to suit the other parts well. So you do not need to know how to program: If you like to draw, to make music and/or sound effect, or have a good idea, you're just as much needed as a programmer!

There are many good games where the first version was developed by students, or a concept made by students. Portal is a good example of this. Keep in mind, the students did not develop that version, but the first version, called Narbacular Drop. Other innovative games that may be possible to match in a competition such as NGA is e.g. Braid. Keep in mind that if you have a good game concept, you can deliver a document to the "Best Concept" category, where you don't even need to create the game! Read more about the other prizes as well.

Is there only a competition, and nothing else?

NGA does not only have a competition, we also have different events throughout the year. The content varies from year to year, but you're guaranteed that we'll have a kick-off, workshops and a finale! During 09/10, we had a Warmup Competition where you had to make a game related to the theme "Nature Strikes Back". We have also had a game-award at The Gathering 10, where the contestants could win prizes by creating the biggest "hype" around their game. This year we have a Concept Art Challenge together with The Gathering. Stay tuned on all our events, by signing up to our newsletter. Send a mail with 'subscribe' to newsletter[ætt]gameawards.no .

What about other game development competitions?

NGA encourages it's participants to participate in other game development competitions as well! Some of the other competitions we know of are:

Dare to be Digital - Get paid to live in Scotland and develop your game with your team over the summer. Simply an amazing opportunity.
Imagine Cup - Several different Game Design competitions, sponsored by Microsoft.
Dream. Build. Play. - Build a game for XBOX 360 in XNA. Winning the grand prize will get you $40 000 USD and publishing rights!

So I've participated in the competition. What's next?

We encourage you to join the national resource network on computer games: JoinGame.
JoinGame's focus is to strengthen research, development and cooperation between different institutions and companies working with computer games. Their web pages are intended as a meeting place and knowledge base for everyone interested in game development in Norway. You might find a partner, a valuable contact or a future employer there. JoinGame maintains a good overview over the game development industry in Norway. If you want to make a game company, you should contact you local Innovation Norway office, as they can give you further guidance. Eventually, they can also give you financial support. If you have any other questions, feel free to Contact Us. We might be able to help you directly, or put you in touch with the right people.