Wizards Of The Coast Announces 'Gleemie' IGF Strategy Award

IGF Platinum Sponsor and Magic: The Gathering developer Wizards of the Coast have announced their own "Gleemie Award," giving IGF entrants and finalists a secondary cash and a chance for a distribution agreement, in conjunction with its recently launched community site Gleemax. Wizards of the Coast says the prizes will be awarded "to those representing creativity in innovative strategic game design" at the forthcoming IGF Awards ceremony. Three of the seven finalists will be awarded a 'Gleemie' trophy and cash prizes of $2000, $3000, and $5000, respectively, along with the chance for distribution through Gleemax's portal for all finalists. The seven finalists for “The Gleemie” are as follows, in no particular order: Game 1: World of Goo by 2D Boy World of Goo is a physics based puzzle/construction game in which players control millions of goo balls to build structures and manipulate objects with the objective of rescuing as many of the lovable goo balls as possible. The game features five chapters, each one consisting of 10-15 challenging levels all taking place in a beautiful World of Goo. Game 2: Crayon Physics Deluxe by Kloonigames, of Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia Crayon Physics Deluxe is a 2D physics puzzle game that lets players experience what it would be like if the things they drew became real. The goal in the game is to collect yellow stars by manipulating the world through the use of objects drawn with a red crayon ball. The game is not only a test of skill and strategic game play, but of creativity as well. Game 3: Skyrates by Airship Studios In Skyrates, players are airborne privateers that need to fight, trade and explore their way to fame and fortune in a fantastic world of floating islands. Every action players take has an effect on other players in the thriving online game world. Skyrates is an experiment in sporadic play, meaning the game can be experienced in several short play sessions rather than one large chunk of time. This accommodates players interest at all levels, regardless of whether they choose to be a peaceful trader, a careful diplomat or a bold fighter. Game 4: Depths of Peril by Soldak Entertainment Depths of Peril is a single player action role-playing game (RPG) with strong strategy elements set in a fantasy world. As barbarian leaders, players protect the city of Jorvik by destroying threatening monsters and completing challenging quests. But defending the city is not the only goal as rival barbarian factions use diplomacy, trade, and at times, civil war to see who will ultimately rule the city of Jorvik. Game 5: Quadradius by Quadradius Quadradius is a two player, head-to-head internet game that pits strangers and friends against one another in a battle of skill, strategy, luck and bluffing. Set in an industrial arena, players compete to destroy each other’s squadrons. The acquisition of various Power Orbs scattered throughout the game board adds an additional layer of strategy to the game. The Power Orbs allow many tactical combinations that can be used to attack, defend, or foil opponent's plans. Game 6: Desktop Tower Defense by Mandible Games Desktop Tower Defense is a puzzle/strategy game that challenges a player’s desktop against waves of cute, but relentless invaders called “Creeps”. By strategically building towers to defend their desktops, players can shoot, trap, and lead the invaders through fiendish mazes as they try to overwhelm the desktop’s defenses. The object of the game is to stop as many invading “Creeps” as possible. Game 7: Polarity by Carnegie Mellon University - Entertainment Technology Center Polarity is a 2D platforming/puzzle game based on magnetism. The goal of the game is to navigate environments and solve puzzles by using your suit's magnetic properties to attract and repel objects. Players can boost the suit’s magnetic strength or instantly switch its polarity throughout the game. Said digital games VP Randy Buehler, “We live in a world where independent developer creativity gets handicapped by limited budget and resources. Through Gleemax and the Independent Games Festival we want to recognize Indie developers’ hard work and ultimately give them and their games a chance to flourish.” For more information on Gleemax and its presence at the Independent Games Festival, please visit www.wizards.com/igf.