Activision Independent Games Competition Winners Announced

Activision has revealed the winners of its Independent Games Competition -- first announced last year -- with the first and second place prize winners taking home $250,000 between them. Developer Peter Angstadt took the first place prize of $175,000 for his game Dstroyd, a "tight real-time strategy married to a ballistics game," according to the creator. "I wanted to enter because I really wanted the opportunity to become a full time independent developer," Angstadt noted. "I didn’t have the resources to go full time, but I felt if I could put my full effort into my games, I could make some really great stuff." Development studio Engient won the second place cash prize of $75,000 for its game Rigonauts: Broadside, in which you build up crazy war machines to take on opponents. Ian Slutz, co-founder of Engient, explained, "For us, starting a small studio sometimes feels like jumping off the high dive - and hoping there’s water in the pool when you reach the bottom. This Activision competition was an opportunity to get the pool filled." A second phase of the competition is due to begin at some point later this year, and will offer indie developers the chance to win part of another $250,000 in cash prizes. "The first round of the competition was very impressive, and we have thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to show our commitment to supporting the creative spirit and innovation of independent developers," said Dave Stohl, executive vice president at Activision. "We look forward to continuing to reward independent developers for their remarkable efforts, and inspiring them to turn their dreams into reality."