There is no question that gaming on the Android platform has come a long way since Android came out onto the mobile market. Even though it has a decent way to go before it becomes the dominate platform for mobile gaming, more and more festivals and conferences are adding Android to their platform roster and IGF is the newest one to do so.
IGF (Independent Games Festival) announced that they will be adding a specific category for mobile games and among the platforms to be included in this new category is Android. Also included in this category are the iPad/iPhone, PSP, Nintendo DS/DSi and any other handheld gaming devices which will all compete in the traditional IGF categories as well as the new Best Mobile game award which honors achievement, innovation and artistry in handheld gaming.
The IGF Awards are held immediately before the GDC Awards and finalists will compete for nearly $50,000 in prizes including the Nuovo Award, Excellence in Design, Art, Best Student Game, the Audience Award and the $20,000 Seumas McNally Grand Prize. All games will also be playable at the IGF pavilion on the GDC show floor.
Winners will be announced on stage at the high-profile Independent Games Festival Awards on March 2, 2011. Deadlines in the Main and Student Showcase categories by October 18th and November 1st respectively, and finalists to be announced on January 2011. Submissions just opened up today so if you would like to submit your game you can via IGF Game Submission page.
Here are the important dates to remember:
June 28th, 2010 – Submissions are Open
October 18th, 2010 – Submission Deadline, Main Competition
November 1st, 2010 – Submission Deadline, Student Competition
January 3rd, 2011 – Finalists Announced, Main Competition
January 10, 2011 – Finalists Announced, Student Competition
February 28 – March 4, 2011 – Game Developers Conference 2011
February 28 – March 1, 2011 – Indie Games Summit @ GDC 2011
March 2 – March 4, 2011 – IGF Pavilion @ GDC 2011
March 2, 2011 – IGF Awards Ceremony (Winners Announced!)
So what are you waiting for game developers? This is Android first year at IGF so let’s make this first year an amazing one and let every other platform know that Android gaming is where it is at! If you are planning to submit your game for the IGF Awards let us know so we can help support you!
Website: Independent Games Festival
