18.01 - GDWC 2020 Fan Favourite Final Vote is Open!

{ Fan Favorite Finals Nominees Trailer! }

vote for the ultimate winner!

{ Fan favourite megavote }

Vote here!

what is

{ GDWC? }

What?

The Game Development World Championship is an annual competition for Game developers, game development students and anyone interested in game development to join in.

When?

This year's GDWC started on the 1st of January 2020. The final day to enter and submit your games is the 31th of December 2020.

Where?

The event happens online for the most part, with the finalists from the Pro and Hobby track brought to Finland to visit game companies. The trip will be paid for by us. We will also be attending game developer events and visiting industry hubs. Hope to meet you there!

How?

By pressing the “Enroll now” button above, you can register for the competition. Any games that have not been released before 2020 can enter into the championship. We expect a few screenshots, a written description, a playable build and a gameplay video of your games to be submitted.

Why?

We believe in new game developers and want to give them the chance to show their games for a large audience.
For game developers, this is an easy opportunity to get extra visibility for yourselves, help to motivate yourselves and most importantly, it doesn't cost a penny.

Winners 2018

Winners 2019

Check previous years' winners

From the GDWC 2013: Pro track winner, Like a boss (PC), Team Firehorse, Brazil

From the GDWC 2013: Student track winner, Hopping Penguin (Windows Phone), Immobile games, Finland

Winning game from GDWC 2012: Kindly Ever After (iTunes), Team Ancora, Singapore

GDWC 2013 winner Team Firehorse at RedLynx HQ in Helsinki

GDWC 2012 winner Team Ancora at Rovio HQ in Helsinki

GDWC 2016 finalists celebrating on a Viking Line cruise to Sweden.

championship

{ Categories }

Pro

Commercial games

Prizes for the best three teams:

Trip to Finland for a team representative

Visits to top game studios

Trophies and medals

Exclusive Interview by 80 Level and 5 invite codes to 80 Level RFP to Winning team

500€ Gift card for Transfluent translation services to Winning team

ExpressVPN Gaming VPN One Year Subscriptions

Houdini Indie one year license to each of the top 3 teams!

50$ Gift card for Sound Libraries by The Chris Alan Sound Design to each of the top 3 teams!

More to be announced...

Hobby

Non-commercial games

Prizes for the best three teams:

Trip to Finland for a team representative

Visits to top game studios

Trophies and medals

Exclusive Interview by 80 Level and 5 invite codes to 80 Level RFP to Winning team

ExpressVPN Gaming VPN One Year Subscriptions

Houdini Indie one year license to each of the top 3 teams!

50$ Gift card for Sound Libraries by The Chris Alan Sound Design to each of the top 3 teams!

More to be announced...

bonus

{ Stages }

In addition to the main categories, you can participate in a bonus stage if your game meets the criteria for it.

Game jam

For games developed during Game Jams.

Click for more info

Fan favourite

Games picked by our audience.

Click for more info

rules and

{ Regulations }

1. Contest

The contest is organized by M&J Realizer Oy and Ace Lagoon Oy, and is open from 1st of January 2020. Entry submission closes on the 31th of December 2020 11.59pm GMT.

2. Enrollment

1. The championship has two main categories, PRO and HOBBY games. You can apply for either categories with as many games as you wish.

PRO: The Pro developer category is meant for games that are going to be or have been released commercially.
HOBBY: The Hobby developer category is meant for games that will not be released commercially. Non-profit games can also be entered under the HOBBY category.

2. The participant fills up the form provided via the enroll link with genuine information. The participant agrees that information on the enrolment form can be forwarded to partners and judges of the contest.

3. M&J Realizer Oy and Ace Lagoon Oy reserve the right to refuse an application.

4. Each individual or team can compete with any number of games on any platforms, both digital and physical if they wish. The game and the peripherals needed to play must either be portable with reasonable cost or be emulated with a PC or a handheld device such as a tablet.

5. Team members can be replaced, added or removed during the competition.

6. Any material, assets or work that has been outsourced by the team must be clearly documented and this information sent alongside the application.

7. By registering for the competition, the participant allows M&J Realizer Oy and Ace Lagoon Oy to contact the participant via e-mail about matters related to the competition.

8. By registering for the competition, the participant represents that they are age 18 or older.

3. Game

1. The entries are submitted before the closing date.

2. The game cannot already have been published before the year 2020.

3. When submitting your game, at least the following will be required:

A working build of the game. Alternatively, for games released on platforms such as Steam, 4 keys, codes or coupons can be provided instead
Video showcasing gameplay material of the game
At least 4 Screenshots of the game
Basic information of the game (name, short description, number of players etc.)

4. The team owns full rights to their game. The organizers reserve the right to use images, video and text material of the game, team and entry submission for the purposes of marketing the competition and the games. M&J Realizer Oy or Ace Lagoon Oy will not share Steam keys, closed beta builds or similar.

5. The game must be able to run on a Windows, Mac, game console, portable device or internet browser either natively or via emulation. In the case of physical games, A copy must be brought to the jury during the finals.

6. Teams can submit a game using existing technologies such as engines, frameworks and models. Teams must own full right to use those technologies.

7. Teams can submit a game using existing content and materials. Teams must own full rights to use those assets.

8. Teams must ensure that their games do not break the Finnish law.

9. Any breach of rules 3.6, 3.7 and 3.8 will disqualify the team.

10. The organizers reserve the right to make changes to these rules as necessary. Any changes to the rules will be forwarded to the participants of the contest. Any rules changes will be made to forward the GDWC as a fair competition and for the benefit of the contestants.

4. Judgement criteria

The games will be judged based on the following three aspects.

FUN: Is the game fun to play and able to keep a player interested? Are the objectives of the game easy to understand?
FEEL: Is the artstyle of the game consistent with the gameplay? Do the controls for the game feel right? Does the game run well?
NOVELTY: Is the game an entirely new concept, or does it combine old ideas in new, interesting ways? Does it stand out from other games of its genre?

frequently asked

{ Questions }

How can I enroll?

One member of the team needs to enroll and provide the information on the team. After that the team is registered for the contest. This is done by pressing the “enroll button” on the top of this page.

Can my application be refused?

We reserve the right to refuse an application.

Does my game need to be finished?

No, your game can be in any phase of development. The only requirement is that you will need to have a playable build or prototype. You are free to update/edit your submission until the submission deadline.

Can my game be physical?

Yes. Physical games such as game consoles and board games are welcome in the GDWC.

My game was released for Early Access in the previous year. Can I submit it?

Yes. Games that are still in development can be submitted for the GDWC. This also goes for games that have been soft launched or have an open beta out.

Can I participate in the GDWC in multiple teams?

Yes. You just need to ensure your team(s) all include you in them when submitting their games.

HOW CAN I FIND MEMBERS FOR MY TEAM?

There are several communities of game developers on services such as Facebook and Reddit. You may also be able to find a local IGDA chapter or university with game development in it.