The IEEE Committee on Earth Observation (ICEO) has launched its “SaveEarthGame” competition, two international computer game design contests – with the top prize of $20,000 USD – that challenge participants to demonstrate how real-world events affect the Earth and impact people. A panel of specialists will award prizes for the two different contests.
The first contest, which began Feb. 9, is open to all age groups, and is for the development of a game concept. It does not require any computer programming skills, just imagination and ingenuity. Contestants will create a computer game concept using Earth Observations to contend with a myriad of environmental issues that impact Earth: disasters, health, energy, climate, water, weather, ecosystems, agriculture and biodiversity. Entries should be submitted by April 10, 2009. The winners will receive a Computer Game Development Workshop Class and cash prizes ranging from $100 to $1000.
The second contest, which kicks off May 1, 2009, is to design a playable, prototype computer game and requires game development skills. Contest participants are encouraged to use Earth observation data as a means to forecast and respond to environmental challenges. Contestants will be able to communicate globally with IEEE engineers, GEO teams and scientists as mentors and as an additional resource in game development. Proposals must be submitted by June 30, 2009. At that time, judges will identify finalists who will have until August 2010 to create and submit functional, playable games. The winner receives a $20,000 (US) prize plus an expense-paid trip to the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Summit.
Contest updates will be provided on the contest’s official Web site, www.SaveEarthGame.org.
“We created these contests to stimulate minds around the world into coming up with unique ideas or concepts for understanding and dealing with vital issues facing our planet and challenge the ingenuity of young people. It’s a unique way to apply gaming technology for humanitarian and educational efforts.”
— Scott Tamashiro, IEEE Senior Member
The game competition is sponsored by the following international organizations:
– The IEEE Committee on Earth Observation
– IEEE Computer Society
– DigiPen Institute of Technology
– 1st Playable Productions
– GEO, Group on Earth Observation
– IGDA, International Game Developers Association
– GLOBE, Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment.