IMGA Mobile Awards Doubles Prizes To $35,000

The organizers of the third annual International Mobile Gaming Awards (IMGA) announced that the event's cash prize fund has doubled to $35,000. IMGA sees worldwide mobile gaming studios, individual developers, students and researchers challenged to come up with the most innovative concepts for tomorrow’s mobile games. Now in its third year, the IMGA organizers expect more developers and studios to enter the awards this year. 2005 saw the number of entrants increase dramatically by 64 percent on the year before. The awards themselves will be broken into Grand Prix, Most Innovative Game, Best Interactive Experience, Excellence in 3D, and Best Use of Connectivity categories. Entrants must submit initial proposals by September 11 at 6pm CET, and the best 20 will be announced September 20. Those shortlisted will then have until January 26, 2007, to produce a demo version of their concept for judging, and winners will be announced at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona on February 14, 2007. This year’s awards will also include a separate competition for students, designed to support up-and-coming developers as they take their first steps within software development industry. Cash prizes will be awarded in the public competition, while students can also win gaming handsets, opportunities to attend training camps, plus an all-expenses-paid trip to the 3GSM World Conference 2007. "What really makes the IMGA unique is its focus on innovation and creativity in game development," commented Maarten Noyons, the managing director of IMGA. "We challenge every developer to come up with his or her most original, ambitious, creative and groundbreaking game plan." He added: "The minimum entry requirements are a strong convincing description of your mobile game concept and three visuals. Entries can be made online at www.imgawards.com. Mobile gaming is a fascinating arena for creative developers with inspiring ideas and the IMGA is the perfect platform to make sure that these ideas receive the recognition and rewards they deserve." Further information on the categories, awards, and entering processes are available at the official website for the third International Mobile Gaming Awards.