Dare to Be Digital Adds 4Dare, ProtoPlay Events

Scotland-based international student game development competition Dare to be Digital has announced "substantial six-figure" sponsorship from UK public television station Channel 4. The two organizations will launch an international competition titled 4Dare, which will bring together teams of five arts and science students from seven regions, giving them ten weeks to produce a game prototype, with industry support and mentoring. The objective is to create a game which "engages a player's brain as much as their thumbs," and brings new audiences to gaming. Competition winners become nominees for the BAFTA Ones to Watch Award. 4Dare will also include a ProtoPlay exhibition event which will take place alongside the Edinburgh Interactive Festival from August 10th-12th. Dare to be Digital, founded and promoted by the University of Abertay Dundee, will also use the funding to establish several new host centers for 2008, adding to the three it used in 2007. The organization says the new centers will enable about 25 teams of five students to participate. Both Dundee and Edinburgh are confirmed as venues for the Scottish host center and the 4Dare ProtoPlay showcase event, respectively. The organization says up to six new centers are planned across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, also adding a second 4Dare ProtoPlay showcase in London. Matt Locke, Channel 4 commissioning editor of education, commented, "The games sector is going through a period of major innovation and growth at the moment, with platforms like the Nintendo Wii and casual online gaming attracting mass audiences. As games are important way of reaching younger audiences, we think the partnership with Dare to Be Digital is an ideal way for us to work with this sector in a way that is true to Channel 4's strengths - supporting talent, encouraging innovation and diversity, and taking risks on new ideas. We look forward to seeing the exciting projects coming out of this year's 4Dare project."