GCG: New Game Design Challenge Targets DSiWare

Author: by Staff

Gamasutra sister site GameCareerGuide.com has announced its latest Game Design Challenge, with the object to conceptualize the perfect game for Nintendo's new DSiWare downloadable service. The Gamasutra sister educational site'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. Every few weeks, the GCG editors present you -- the aspiring or current game developer -- with a challenge about developing video games. You'll have two weeks to brainstorm a brilliant solution (see below for how to submit your answers). After the two week submission period elapses, the best answers and the names of those who submitted them will be posted, along with some commentary. This latest challenge is, simply enough: 'Design a game for DSiWare.' The Nintendo DSi has recently been released in Western markets. One of the most interesting capabilities of the system is the introduction of DSiWare, which allows for downloadable games, directly on the handheld. Certainly, it follows in the footsteps of download services on consoles, and in fact the PSP. But between the unusualness of the DSi's capabilities -- dual screen, touch screen, and dual camera -- and fairly restrictive file size, resolution, and processing power (and software price!) restrictions, there's an interesting but complicated set of parameters to work with here. We would like you to come up with a game that takes advantage of the platform and could reasonably be expected to be delivered over the Nintendo DSiWare network. Entries may be rewarded for paying special attention to the DSi's unique capabilities, but the bite-sized software prices (as low as $2) also mean unique but tiny experiences can be created. Finally, Nintendo has said it wants developers to come up with creative ideas that appeal to its expanded audience. It also has a built-in audience of die-hard fans. Whom will you appeal to? Work on your ideas, figure out your strategy for coming up with a solution, and ask questions on the GCG.com forum thread. When your submission is complete, send it to email [email protected] with the subject line "Design Challenge: DSiWare." 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, April 22nd. Results will be posted Tuesday, April 28th. [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.]