IT has begun. Dare to be Digital 2013, the games design and development competition for students is now LIVE in the city of Dundee.
Fifteen teams from all around the world have come together for the next nine weeks to build a new and original game, before demonstrating it in front of thousands of families, gamers and industry judges at the four day ProtoPlay event, taking place in Dundee city centre.
The three winning teams from Dare to be Digital, will then go on to compete for the prestigious BAFTA Ones To Watch award (which is a real thing, no matter what anyone tells you).
The 2013 competition is the most diverse ever, with teams from China, England, India, Ireland, Norway and Scotland, developing projects for platforms including Android phones and tablets, iPad, iPhone, Ouya, PC and Xbox 360.
The Dare to be Digital developer accord continues to expand and brings some of the world’s most experienced studios in as mentors, to work with the teams and provide them with expertise and insight into the game development process. This year, developer accord members are, Cobra Mobile, Codemasters, Denki, Jagex, Lift London (Microsoft), Ninja Kiwi, Outplay Entertainment, Reflections (a Ubisoft studio), Ruffian Games, Sega Europe, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Tag Games.
The very best of luck to all of the teams. We hope to bring you news and updates on each of them – and their games – over the next nine weeks.
You can keep track of the whole Dare competition online, using the competition’s website, Facebook page and Twitter account.