DALLAS, Jun 06, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Independent video game developers with their sights set on winning $250,000 in prizes and a chance to present their games to top publishers are in luck. The third annual Indie Game Challenge is open for entries now through Oct. 3, 2011 and finalists will be announced January 2012. Individuals and teams can register at www.IndieGameChallenge.com and submit a working beta copy of their game and pitch video.

"Since we announced the kick-off of the Indie Game Challenge almost two years ago, the response from the development community has truly been extraordinary," said Martin Rae, president, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. "We have seen such a wide range of creativity and artistic talent from all over the world, and it is our hope that IGC continues to grow and attract the best and the brightest from the independent video game development community."

Judging will be conducted by panels hand-selected from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' membership base. Winners have the opportunity to split up almost $250,000 in prize monies and scholarships, including a $100,000 grand prize award to the winning game. Beyond the winnings, finalists have an opportunity for unprecedented exposure - their pitch videos will be promoted on GameStop.com and GameStop TV where they will be seen by millions of people and be eligible for additional prize money and People's Choice Award voting. Members of each finalist team will have the opportunity of a lifetime and will be flown to Las Vegas to attend the prestigious D.I.C.E. Summit, have an opportunity to showcase their games to top publishers in the video game industry set up by the IGC and attend the Indie Game Challenge Awards next February.

Dr. Peter E. Raad, founder and executive director of The Guildhall at SMU, said "We like to keep up with all of our former finalists and in most cases we are seeing individuals and teams leveraging this unique opportunity as a springboard for either getting their entry published or getting hired within the industry. That's why we make it a priority for the finalists to meet with all the major publishing companies who attend D.I.C.E."

For additional information, visit www.indiegamechallenge.com or e-mail indiehelp@smu.edu.

About the Indie Game Challenge

The Indie Game Challenge (IGC) is an annual competition for independent video game developers offering $250,000 in prizes. Founded by The Guildhall at SMU, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences and GameStop Corp., the IGC was created to foster game development innovation by independent developers. Prizes include cash awards, scholarships, national consumer exposure for the top games and an opportunity for the finalists to obtain professional feedback and seek commercial avenues for their games through face-to-face meetings with representatives from the leading video game publishers. For more information on the IGC visit, www.indiegamechallenge.com, www.interactive.org, www.gamestop.com or http://guildhall.smu.edu.

SOURCE: GameStop Corp. and SMU

Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Debby Chen, 818-876-0826
debby@interactive.org
or
The Guildhall at SMU
Ron Jenkins, 972-473-3546
jenkinsr@smu.edu
or
GameStop Corp.
Wendy Dominguez, 817-722-7747
wendydominguez@gamestop.com