Reminder: Game Design Challenge: Be the Hero! Ends Next Week

GameCareerGuide.com's Game Design Challenge is an exercise in becoming a game developer, asking you to look at games in a new way -- from the perspective of a game creator, producer, marketer, businessperson, and so forth. Our latest contest, which challenges readers to envision a game series in which a minor character is promoted to the role of hero, ends next week. All submissions must be received by Wednesday, September 16th, to be considered in the judging process. The Challenge Take a side character from a game and promote them to a hero! Assignment Details Earlier this year, Nippon Ichi, creators of the popuplar tactical RPG series Disgaea, released a game called Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? The game is an action/platformer set in the Disgaea universe that stars the prinnies, a race of damned souls that take the form of explosive penguins. Yeah, it's a weird series, but it goes to show the value of creating memorable, appealing characters. This isn't the first time a side character has been brought to the fore. What other characters could stand on their own as the protagonists of games? Who should be freed from the shadow of a scene-stealing lead and become the hero of his or her own epic? Your job is to think back to supporting cast members and antagonists -- like Tron Bonne, from the Mega Man Legends series, who scored her own game on the original PlayStation -- and figure out who deserves a chance in the light. When you've settled on your character, come up with a gameplay concept that suits him, her, or it -- remember, Prinny is an action game based on a strategy series -- and design it. To Submit Work on your ideas, figure out your strategy for coming up with a solution, and ask questions on the forum. When your submission is complete, send it to [email protected] with the subject line "Design Challenge: Be The Hero!." Please type your answer directly in the email body. Submissions should be no more than 500 words and may contain up to three images. Be sure to include your full name and school affiliation or job title. Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, September 16 Results will be posted Tuesday, September 22 Disclaimer: GameCareerGuide.com is not responsible for similarities between the content submitted to the Game Design Challenge and any existing or future products or intellectual property.