Geekway Game Design Contest

Geekway to the West is proud to announce that we are working with Travis of Indie Boards and Cards to sponsor a game design contest! Aspiring game designers can submit a playable prototype to Geekway, where it will be played and reviewed by the attendees, with the best design being submitted to Travis for consideration to be published (note- there is no guarantee that your design will be published. The winner will have his game reviewed and considered for publication, nothing more is guaranteed).

And if you're not a game designer? Well, then you have the opportunity to play these prototypes and give valuable feedback as well as help with the overall judging based on your responses. In addition, for every review sheet that you fill out (maximum of one per submitted design), you will be entered into a special drawing for a $50 shopping spree to Game Nite, our on-location vendor.

Official Rules

To enter the Geekway Game Design contest, you MUST provide us with the following:

An email to geekwaytothewest@gmail.com with the name of your game and a brief description by May 7th, 2012.

You must submit your game in person at Geekway to the West 2012. You must be a registered attendee to submit an entry.

Your game must be complete, with all necessary components and complete rules. You will not be allowed to teach your games to players.

Your game should adhere to the design criteria, below.

Design Criteria

Part of this contest is to design your game according to the publisher's criteria. As such, the following guidelines should be followed as closely as possible.

Play time: 60 minutes or less
Number of players: 2-5 or 4-10 (absolutely no 2-player only games)
Interesting, commercially viable theme (does not have to be unique)
Fun and engaging: 'making you feel 13 again' fun, not 'I just played 18xx' fun.
Player interaction but not 'take THAT!' player interaction

Negatives: a game with 100s of cards or other components that each need unique artwork
Absolute no-no's: Collectible Card games, Living Card games, Wargames, Abstract Games, RPGs

More from Travis: "I am not looking for a BGG heavy game, rather something that fits the original "Euro" and/or gateway game definition - family friendly, easy rules, can be played strategically or just socially. Also I am open to party games. Above all else I am looking for games that are really good at one thing - a party game should be really fun, but needn't be strategic."

Other Details

Games will be accepted as long as they are in 'playable prototype' form with complete rules. You should not need to be there to explain the game to the players! You can submit your Game on Thursday or Friday at the registration table between 3pm and 5pm. Games will be available to play all day Friday and Saturday during Library hours. Review sheets from play testers will be accepted until 9pm on Saturday, and the drawing for the $50 shopping spree will be held immediately thereafter (you do not need to be present to win, but you must use your shopping spree during Geekway). Entries may only be submitted by Geekway to the West 2012 attendees, and must be submitted in person at the convention, no mail-in entries will be accepted.