University of Gotland Game Awards Spotlight Student Creations

The University of Gotland in Sweden is sponsoring the Gotland Game Awards 2009, a student design competition to be held between June 2nd and 3rd, 2009. The event puts 400 local university students in competition to develop the best game in one of several categories. Over 30 games spanning a variety of genres will participate in the contest. Award categories include Best Serious Game, Best Big Game Project and Best In Show. One of this year's competing students, Hakan Mattsson, plans to release his team's entry on Xbox Live this fall. "GGA is the highlight of the year for us students," said Mattsson. "We get the opportunity to meet our future employers and at the same time receiving valuable feedback from some of the best in the business." Finalists will be judged by a jury of representatives from game studios such as GRIN, Starbreeze, Massive Entertainment, and Avalanche. Over 40,000 Euro worth of prizes will be awarded during the event, including an expenses-paid trip to a major German game show, during which the winning team will present its game to attending industry figures.