Chair Entertainment Group - Press Releases

Press Release: Epic Games Acquires Chair Entertainment Group

Laura — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:21:16 -0700

May 20, 2008

Epic Games, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Chair Entertainment Group

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EPIC GAMES ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF CHAIR ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Cary, North Carolina – May 20, 2008 – Epic Games, Inc., creators of the award-winning Unreal and Gears of War video game franchises and the industry leading Unreal Engine, today announced its acquisition of Utah-based development studio, Chair Entertainment Group, LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, Chair Entertainment Group has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Epic Games and will continue to operate under the same name while maintaining its focus on creating new original game properties which utilize Epic's Unreal Engine technology.

"Chair's stylized approach to creating games is further enhanced by their ability to stretch our technology in new directions that not only help in creating amazing gaming experiences but also demonstrate the power and versatility of the Unreal Engine," said Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games, Inc. "We are thrilled to bring the Chair team into the Epic family, and look forward to working with them to create original new games that continue to innovate and inspire."

"Our team has long admired Epic for its ability to shape the game industry with its innovative technology and first-rate video game offerings," said Ryan Holmes, Co-Founder and CEO of Chair Entertainment Group. "We share Epic's passion for creating ground-breaking game play experiences and are excited for the opportunity to partner with a truly visionary company."

Founded in 2005, Chair Entertainment Group is jointly led by directors, Donald and Geremy Mustard, and CEO Ryan Holmes. Best known for its award-winning Xbox Live Arcade title, Undertow, Chair's previous success includes the launch of its Empire property which has produced an Orson Scott Card-written New York Times bestselling novel and a feature film currently in development with Warner Bros. In 2007, after several years of building games with Unreal technology, Chair entered into an agreement with Epic Games to make Unreal Engine 3 their exclusive technology for game development.

About Epic Games
Epic Games, Inc., based in Cary, NC and established in 1991, develops cutting-edge games and cross-platform game engine technology. The company has created multiple million-selling, award-winning titles in its Unreal series, recently shipping Unreal Tournament 3 for PC and PlayStation 3. Epic's breakthrough game, Gears of War, sold over 4.7 million copies and was awarded overall Game of the Year for 2006 by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, Game Developers Choice Awards, GameSpot, GamePro and many others. Epic is also responsible for the Unreal Engine, which is the underlying technology for a wide range of games including the Game Critics Awards' Best Console Game and Spike TV's 2007 RPG of the Year Mass Effect by BioWare and the 2007 BAFTA Best Game and Spike TV Game of the Year BioShock by 2K Games. Epic's Unreal Engine 3 is the current holder, and three-time consecutive winner, of Game Developer magazine's Front Line award for Best Engine. Epic was also recognized as 2006 Studio of the Year by Spike TV, 2006 Developer of the Year by Official Xbox Magazine and 2007 Large Company of the Year by the North Carolina Technology Association. Additional information about Epic can be obtained through the Epic Games Web site at www.epicgames.com.

About Unreal Engine 3
The award-winning Unreal Engine is known for cutting-edge graphics and its best-of-breed toolset. Unreal Engine 3 maintains those features while adding massive world support, multi-processor support, next-generation console optimizations, and one of the most mature tool pipelines in the industry. Unreal Engine 3's advanced toolset is designed specifically to accelerate developers' productivity for ultra-complex, next-generation content. Additional information on Unreal Engine can be obtained through the Unreal Technology Web site at www.unrealtechnology.com.

About Chair Entertainment
Founded in 2005, Chair Entertainment Group is an independent video game production company committed to creating blockbuster entertainment franchises through development of its original intellectual properties. In 2006, Chair launched its first original property, Empire, as a best-selling novel written by Orson Scott Card. A feature film based on Empire is in development by Warner Bros. and Chair has future plans for video games and comic books based on the property. In November 2007, Chair launched Undertow, the award-winning underwater action shooter which was named Xbox Live Arcade Game of the Year by Official Xbox Magazine. Additional information and gamer forums can be found at: www.chairentertainment.com.

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Press Release: Undertow Named XBLA Game of the Year; Expansion Pack Released

Laura — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:45:59 -0700

March 5, 2008

Chair releases Undertow: Path of the Elect as Undertow is named XBLA Game of the Year by Offical Xbox Magazine.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHAIR ENTERTAINMENT GROUP RELEASES
UNDERTOW: PATH OF THE ELECT FOR XBOX LIVE ARCADE

-- Expansion Pack for Award-Winning Undertow Game Debuts Tomorrow;
Introduces New Playable Race, Additional Maps, and More --

Salt Lake City, Utah – March 4, 2007 – Chair Entertainment Group, an independent video game production company, today announced Undertow: Path of the Elect, the first expansion pack for its award-winning, underwater action game, Undertow, will be released tomorrow. Undertow: Path of the Elect will be available exclusively via Xbox LIVE® Arcade, the premier destination for digitally distributed, downloadable games, and cost 400 Microsoft Points ($5).

Undertow was named the 2007 Xbox LIVE Arcade Game of the Year by Official Xbox Magazine and has received numerous Editors Choice awards from top enthusiast outlets. Since its debut, nearly one million gamers have been introduced to Undertow and its exciting brand of non-stop game play action. Powered by Unreal Engine 3, Undertow features a robust 15-level single player and co-op campaign with two multiplayer modes for 2 to 16 players.

The Undertow: Path of the Elect expansion pack extends the full game by featuring a full, five level single player and co-op campaign and introduces an entirely new playable race known as the “Elect.” Armed with superior technology and fire power, this fanatical alien race is determined to rule the earth and destroy those who seek to stop them. Multiplayer fans can now choose to play as the Elect or as one of three other races as they explore four new multiplayer maps and earn points for upgrades by killing enemies, completing objectives, and taking checkpoints.

“We’ve received a ton of great gamer feedback on Undertow, which has helped us to create more of the exciting types of content that fans of the game will really enjoy,” said Donald Mustard, creative director at Chair Entertainment Group. “Whether they’re looking to continue the saga we’re building in the single player campaign or seeking more opportunities for competitive multiplayer battles, the expansion offers something new for everyone.”

About Chair Entertainment
Founded in 2005, Chair Entertainment Group is an independent video game production company committed to creating blockbuster entertainment franchises through development of its original intellectual properties. In 2006, Chair launched its first original property, Empire, as a best-selling novel written by Orson Scott Card. A feature film based on Empire is in development by Warner Bros. and Chair has future plans for video games and comic books based on the property. In November 2007, Chair launched Undertow, an award-winning underwater action shooter for Xbox Live Arcade. Additional information and gamer forums can be found at: www.chairentertainment.com.

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Press Release: Chair Entertainment Acquires Interactive Rights for Ender's Game

Laura — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 07:51:20 -0800

January 29, 2008

Chair partners with famed author Orson Scott Card on first-ever Ender's Game video game

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"THE ENEMY'S GATE IS DOWN!"

CHAIR ENTERTAINMENT GROUP SECURES INTERACTIVE RIGHTS TO ORSON SCOTT CARD'S BESTSELLING "ENDER'S GAME" SERIES

-- First-Ever "Battle Room" Video Games to Bring Classic Literary Series to Life—

Salt Lake City, Utah – January 29, 2008 – Chair Entertainment Group, an independent video game production company and creators of the award-winning Undertow, and bestselling author, Orson Scott Card, today announced their partnership to create the first-ever video games inspired by the legendary "Battle Room," featured in the beloved literary classic, Ender's Game. Ender's Game is an award-winning, international bestseller and one of the most popular science fiction novels ever written.

Under the terms of the agreement, Chair has obtained the exclusive rights to develop Ender's Game "Battle Room" video games across all next-generation consoles, handheld platforms, and PC. In collaboration with Orson Scott Card, Chair will begin development later this year with the first offering expected for release via downloadable platforms.

"I have been a huge fan of Ender's Game since I was ten years old, so it is a true honor for our team to be entrusted with creating the first video game inspired by this classic story," said Donald Mustard, creative director at Chair Entertainment Group. "Our goal is to create an authentic Ender's Game experience that delivers awesome gameplay and can be enjoyed by both longtime fans and gamers new to the series."

"From the moment I started working with Donald Mustard and his team at Chair, I knew that these were the guys I wanted to do the first Ender's Game video game," said Orson Scott Card. "It's not enough to slap the Ender's Game name on just any game - it has to be exciting, memorable, and endlessly replayable. Chair shares my understanding of this and I am looking forward to working with them to ensure the game is as authentically Enderish as possible."

In the fictional Ender's Game universe, humanity is at war with an alien species known as the Formics, and Battle School is the training ground for the future leaders of Earth's International Fleet. Taken at a very young age, Earth's most brilliant children undergo a rigorous training designed to teach advanced military theory where strategic and tactical glory is won in the null gravity battles known to the elite students simply as the game! Through simulated war games and training conducted in the Battle Room, the children rise through the ranks of Battle School to become Earth's only hope for victory.

The two parties previously collaborated on the Chair Entertainment Group property Empire, which the Company introduced in 2006 with the launch of an Orson Scott Card-written bestselling novel of the same name. A feature film based on Empire is in development by Warner Brothers and Chair has future plans for video games and comic books based on the property.

Gamers and long-time Ender's Game fans are invited to share their thoughts on Orson Scott Card's popular website, www.hatrack.com, and the official Chair forums at: http://www.chairentertainment.com/community/forums/

About Orson Scott Card
Orson Scott Card is the award-winning author of the national bestsellers, Shadow of the Giant and Shadow of the Hegemon, and of the beloved classic, Ender's Game, published by Tor Books. He is a professor of literature and writing at Southern Virginia University and lives with his family in Greensboro, North Carolina. For more information on Orson Scott Card, please visit his official website: www.hatrack.com

About Chair Entertainment Group
Founded in 2005, Chair Entertainment Group is an independent video game production company committed to creating blockbuster entertainment franchises through development of its original intellectual properties. In 2006, Chair launched its first original property, Empire, as a best-selling novel written by Orson Scott Card. A feature film based on Empire is in development by Warner Bros. and Chair has future plans for video games and comic books based on the property. In November 2007, Chair launched Undertow, an award-winning underwater action shooter for Xbox LIVE Arcade. Additional information, artwork, and gamer forums can be found at: www.chairentertainment.com.

Media Alert: Chair Launches Undertow TUESDAYS @ 10

Laura — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:39:55 -0800

December 4, 2007

Undertow developers to host and join player matches every Tuesday night.

UNDERTOW DEVELOPERS INVITE GAMERS TO PLAY "TUESDAYS @ 10"

One of the best reviewed games available on Xbox Live Arcade, Undertow continues to grow in popularity among XBLA gamers looking for an ultra competitive gaming experience. To continue to expand the game's online audience, Chair Entertainment Group today announced its "TUESDAYS @ 10" player matches will officially kick-off tonight.

Every Tuesday night at 10pm ET / 7pm PT the Undertow team will host and join Undertow Player Matches with fellow gamers. During that time, players will also have the opportunity to join members of the development team for Ranked Matches, during which they can gain achievements and additional game play tips.

"TUESDAYS @ 10" is open to experienced players and those new to the game. Players can join in on the action by downloading Undertow, selecting Multiplayer, and then selecting Player Match.

For more information on Undertow visit: http://www.chairentertainment.com/company/projects/undertow

Press Release: Chair Entertainment Launches Undertow for Xbox Live Arcade

Laura — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:19:03 -0800

November 21, 2007

Chair launches their highly anticipated XBLA game, Undertow, just in time for Thanksgiving!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHAIR ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LAUNCHES UNDERTOW FOR XBOX LIVE® ARCADE

-- Award-Winning Underwater Action-Shooter Offers 16-player Online Combat and Stunning Visuals --

Provo, Utah – November 21, 2007 – Chair Entertainment Group, an independent video game production company, today announced its newest original property, Undertow, has launched for Xbox LIVE® Arcade, the premier destination for digitally distributed, downloadable games. Undertow is powered by the Unreal Engine 3 and offers an unprecedented 16-player online experience for Xbox LIVE Arcade.

“With Undertow, our goal was to create a game that we as gamers would like to play - a full-featured, super fun game that could deliver a completely original new gaming experience for XBLA,” said Donald Mustard, creative director at Chair Entertainment Group. “Whether players prefer to dive in to the single player campaign or battle it out in an intense multiplayer match, Undertow offers non-stop excitement for all types of gamers.”

The fast-paced action of Undertow features a robust 15-level single player and co-op campaign with two multiplayer modes for up to 16 players. Players navigate the stormy seas as one of four unique, upgradeable unit types ranging in ability from the fast and agile to the large and powerful. Players then earn points for adding upgrades by killing enemies, completing objectives, and taking checkpoints. The non-stop conquest-style battles of Undertow push the envelope of on-screen effects and combat action with stunning graphics and special effects.

One of the most anticipated games released for Xbox LIVE Arcade to date, Undertow has received awards from some of the top gaming enthusiast outlets including, Official Xbox Magazine, IGN, and Team Xbox.

About Chair Entertainment
Founded in 2005 by Donald and Geremy Mustard, Chair Entertainment Group is an independent video game production company committed to creating blockbuster entertainment franchises through development of its original intellectual properties. In 2006, Chair launched its first original property, Empire, as a best-selling novel written by Orson Scott Card. A feature film based on Empire is in development by Warner Bros. and Chair has future plans for video games and comic books based on the property. Additional information and gamer forums can be found at: www.chairentertainment.com.

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Media Alert: Undertow Release Date Revealed!

Laura — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:34:15 -0800

November 1, 2007

Chair confirms a November 21 release date for their popular Xbox LIVE Arcade game, Undertow

Chair Entertainment Group today confirmed that Undertow, one of this year's most anticipated games for Xbox LIVE Arcade, will launch on Wednesday, November 21 – Just in time for Thanksgiving!

The fast-paced action of Undertow features a robust 15-level single player and co-op campaign with two multiplayer modes for up to 16 players - all in just 50mb!

Players navigate the stormy seas as one of four unique, upgradeable unit types ranging in ability from the fast and agile to the large and powerful. Players then earn points for adding upgrades by killing enemies, completing objectives, and taking checkpoints. The non-stop conquest-style battles of Undertow push the envelope of on-screen effects and combat action with stunning graphics and special effects. Undertow will be available for 800 Microsoft Points ($10).

Gamers can learn more about Undertow and register for forums on the official Chair Entertainment website at: www.chairentertainment.com

Press Release: Chair Entertainment Signs Exclusive Deal with Epic Games

Laura — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:30:53 -0700

June 19, 2007

Chair secures Unreal Engine 3 to power existing and new intellectual game properties across all platforms.

CHAIR ENTERTAINMENT SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DEAL WITH EPIC GAMES

Unreal Engine 3 to power existing and new intellectual properties across all platforms

Provo, Utah – June 19, 2007 – Chair Entertainment Group, an independent video game production company, today announced that it has signed an exclusive deal with Epic Games to license the award-winning Unreal® Engine 3 for all its present and upcoming game development projects.
The deal covers all games developed for Xbox® 360, PlayStation® 3 and PC and the first game that will be released under the new agreement will be Undertow® for Xbox LIVE® Arcade, which is due to go live worldwide this summer. The game, which reveals some of the most stunning graphics seen on Xbox LIVE® Arcade, features a 15 level campaign for single-player or co-op, and two robust multiplayer modes for up to 16 players which has been delivered in just 50mb – something that has not been achieved in any other Xbox LIVE® Arcade to date.

“The versatility and technological advantages provided by the Unreal Engine 3 have determined it to be our exclusive choice of technology for next-generation development,” said Geremy Mustard, technical director at Chair Entertainment. “UE3 will enable our overflowing creative vision to spill into the hands of gamers sooner and at a much higher level of quality.”

Mark Rein, Vice-President, Epic Games comments, “We love working with cool independent studios like Chair that are truly focused on delivering value to gamers and creating experiences that break new boundaries in gameplay and creativity. Sure, we love working with the big developers and publishers too, but there’s something really satisfying about seeing a young company with great talent doing some awesome stuff with our technology. Undertow is just the first great game you’ll see from these guys – prepare to be wowed some more.”

To coincide with the announcement, Chair Entertainment today officially released the first Undertow screenshots, which can be downloaded at: http://www.chairentertainment.com/company/projects/undertow/gallery.

About Chair Entertainment
Founded in 2005, Chair Entertainment Group is an independent video game production company committed to creating complete blockbuster entertainment franchises, which bring together video games, books, movies, comics, and merchandise, through the development of intellectual properties which are owned and managed exclusively by the company itself.

Under the direction of Donald and Geremy Mustard, Chair’s design team has worked together for years gaining experience in many facets of entertainment including art design, digital animation, game development, storytelling, and comic books. Several of Chair’s founding members were part of the development team responsible for Advent Rising, released in 2005 for Xbox and PC. They also directed the story and art design for the 360ep comic book series, Advent Rising: Rock the Planet.

Additional information and gamer forums can be found at: www.chairentertainment.com.

About Unreal Engine 3
The award-winning Unreal Engine is known for cutting-edge graphics and a best-of-breed toolset. Unreal Engine 3 is expected to maintain those features while adding massive world support, multi-processor support, next-generation console optimizations, and one of the most mature tool pipelines in the industry. Unreal Engine 3's new toolset is designed specifically to accelerate developers' productivity for ultra-complex, next-generation content. Additional information on Unreal Engine can be obtained at www.unrealtechnology.com.

About Epic Games
Epic Games, Inc., based in Cary, NC and established in 1991, develops cutting-edge games and game engine technology for PC and console. The company has created multiple million-selling, award-winning titles in their Unreal series and their latest game, Gears of War®, broke sales records on Xbox 360 selling more than 3 million copies worldwide in the first ten weeks and awarded overall Game of the Year for 2006 by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, Game Developers Choice Awards, GameSpot, GamePro and many others. Epic is also responsible for the Unreal Engine, which is the underlying technology for a wide range of games including, Console Game of the Year winner, "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell TM" by Ubi Soft; PC Gamer's Game of the Year, "Deus Ex" from Ion Storm/Eidos; "America's Army: Special Forces," by the United States Army, and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (PC) by Electronic Arts. Epic's Unreal Engine 3 is the current holder, and three-time consecutive winner, of Game Developer magazine's Front Line award for Best Game Engine. Epic Games was also awarded Studio of the Year at the 2006 Spike TV Video Game Awards and Developer of the Year by Official Xbox Magazine. Additional information about Epic can be obtained through Epic's Web site at www.epicgames.com.

Job Opening: Sr. Programmer

Laura — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:10:22 -0700

June 1, 2007

Chair Entertainment Announces Immediate Opening for Sr. Programmer.

PLEASE SEND RESUMES TO: jobs@chairentertainment.com

Senior Programmer

Provo, Utah – June 1, 2007 – Chair Entertainment Group is currently looking for a dedicated and hardworking Senior Programmer. The Programmer will work on a small team dedicated to making high-end next-gen games for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC downloadable games (like Undertow, coming summer 2007). Flexibility over a variety of tasks and platforms is a must, as are team-based work practices.

Qualifications:

- Loves games, and plays them regularly
- Demonstrated proficiency in C/C++
- Ability to work with artists, level designers, QA, etc.
- Demonstrated knowledge of good software engineering practices
- Proficient in several areas of game programming: graphics and animation, user interfaces, effects, AI, networking, physics, rendering, and gameplay
- Ability to work with internal and externally developed code
- Ability to write clean, readable, portable, reliable, and optimized code
- Game design experience/understanding
- Strong math skills

Preference to applicants with:

- Experience with Unreal Engine 3
- Two or more years of programming experience in the game industry
- BS (or higher) in Computer Science or similar discipline (Physics, Math, EE, etc.)

Location: Provo, Utah

Compensation:

Chair offers competitive salary, project bonuses, profit sharing, health care, etc.

More About Chair:

Chair Entertainment Group is an independent game developer, located in Provo, Utah, approximately 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. At Chair, every employee is treated like a partner. We work hard and play hard, and encourage team members to maintain a healthy balance in their professional and personal lives. If you enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, Chair is close to world-class skiing, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, golf, and every other outdoor activity you can imagine.

Chair develops high-end next-gen games for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC, using Unreal Engine 3 exclusively. Our development cycles are short, our teams are small, and every team member plays a vital role in each game. Come be a part of the highly creative, fun, and growing team at Chair Entertainment Group.

PLEASE SEND RESUMES TO: jobs@chairentertainment.com

Press Release: Chair Announces Undertow for Xbox LIVE Arcade

Laura — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:13:12 -0700

April 23, 2007

Chair Entertainment Announces Undertow for Xbox LIVE Arcade; Releases First Game Play Trailer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHAIR ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES “UNDERTOW” FOR XBOX LIVE® ARCADE

-- Underwater Action-Shooter Offers 16-player Online Combat; Exclusive Trailer Provides Early Game Play Preview --

Provo, Utah – April 23, 2007 – Chair Entertainment Group, an independent video game production company, today announced its newest original property, Undertow, is currently in development for Xbox LIVE® Arcade, the premier destination for digitally distributed, downloadable games. Expected to go live worldwide this summer, Undertow is powered by the Unreal Engine 3 and offers an unprecedented 16-player online experience for Xbox LIVE Arcade.

“We’ve really enjoyed designing Undertow for Xbox LIVE Arcade because it’s given us the freedom to create a pure gaming experience focused on fun, addictive game play” said Donald Mustard, creative director at Chair Entertainment. “Whether a player is looking for hours of intense multiplayer or they have just 10 minutes for the ultimate gaming experience, we’re confident Undertow will be as exciting to play as it has been for us to create.”

The fast-paced action of Undertow features two multiplayer modes for up to 16 players, and a robust 15-level single player and co-op campaign. Players navigate the stormy seas as one of four unique, upgradeable unit types ranging in ability from the fast and agile to the large and powerful. Players then earn points for adding upgrades by killing enemies, completing objectives, and taking checkpoints. The non-stop conquest-style battles of Undertow push the envelope of on-screen effects and combat action with stunning graphics and special effects.

To coincide with the announcement, Chair Entertainment today released a 30 second game play trailer which provides an early look at the game in action. The trailer can be downloaded at: http://www.chairentertainment.com/company/projects/undertow/gallery.

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Press Release: Chair Participates in 2007 Slamdance Film Festival

Laura — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:40:14 -0800

January 5, 2007

Chair Entertainment's Donald Mustard joins Slamdance panel to discuss visual storytelling in games.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHAIR ENTERTAINMENT TO TAKE PART IN 2007 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL JANUARY 18-23

Chair’s Donald Mustard Joins Panel of Industry Experts to Discuss Visual Storytelling

Provo, Utah – Chair Entertainment today revealed that Creative Director, Donald Mustard will be in attendance at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival in support of its Guerilla Gamemaker Competition. Mustard will join a panel of industry professionals to discuss the future of visual storytelling in videogames. The panel is open to the public and will take place at the Treasure Mountain Inn (255 Main St. Park City) on Saturday, January 20, at 5:00pm

Slamdance, an organization always looking to foster new and innovative ways to assist emerging artists and writers, has established the Guerrilla Gamemaker Competition. This contest is a natural extension of Slamdance’s stated mission to nurture, support and showcase truly independent works and will be held concurrently with the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, January 18-27, 2007.

A gaming competition at a film festival? It makes more sense than a first glance might indicate. Gaming is one of - if not the - fastest-growing components of the entertainment industry. Like filmmaking, game design is a means of visual storytelling, and the similarities between the two media far outweigh the disparities. Like a film director working on-set, today's gamemakers assumes a leadership role in the outcome of the game, guiding plot points and character interaction, integrating art and technology with game design. Recognizing that the space between film and gaming was becoming increasingly smaller, and seeing a niche for it within their festival, Slamdance developed the Game Competition to help aspiring game developers display their work.
“Video games today are as important and influential as movies have ever been” said Peter Baxter, the President and Co-Founder of Slamdance, who is a filmmaker as well. “The type and standard of creativity we are seeing at Slamdance Games is akin to the trail blazing days of independent filmmaking, a time that artists reacted with more imagination and against the generic fare of the movie studio.”
Game Design is a quickly growing field. Every year, more universities offer game design programs for graduates and undergraduates, more design theory is published, and more pointed critiques are leveled at games released into the market. With the next generation of consoles having built in digital distribution systems, the advent of independent game portals like Manifesto Games, and the growth of digital distribution technology, the independent game designer has more opportunities and methods to reach the marketplace. The Guerilla Gamemaker Competition is a competition for these game designers - it is focused on creative professionals who design and create entertainment experiences. These games will screen in competition as part of the Slamdance Film Festival, just as Slamdance films do.

Slamdance recognized the need for a gaming competition with integrity that concentrated on the art of game design, versus the bottom line of the business itself. The Competition supports developers by helping them make industry connections, providing them with an environment for peer interaction and presenting them with an opportunity for national exposure while they're at the Festival. “We are very excited about the finalists for this year's GGC,” said Sam Roberts, Slamdance’s Games Competition Manager. “This year's entrants range from biting indictments of modern corporate culture to fantastical adventures crashing castles. We have interactive fiction, beat-em-ups, non-traditional puzzle games, and experiments in flow theory. These games push the edges of what games can be and can try to be, experimenting in art style, gameplay, metaphor, story, concept and time. They provide challenges and inspiration for game designers working the traditional space, and game designers who will work in the future. While each of these games forces you to examine something you thought you already knew, or experiment in life and evolution, they also all entertain - they strive to be fun, and to be true play experiences."
There are multiple prizes that may be won. Winners of the Game Competition Grand Jury Award receive over $5,000 in cash and prizes, a not un-auspicious start for a game designer. The Jury is comprised of game industry professionals and luminaries, who screen all of the games at the Festival and choose a winner. There’s also an Audience Award. At each screening, the audience in attendance will place votes on the game they see – just as it’s done with film screenings. The Student Competition, which recognizes excellence in art and technical design, includes a summer fellowship with the University of Southern California¹s Game Innovation Lab in the Interactive Media Division.

For the 2007 Slamdance Guerilla Gamemaker Competition, 14 independently designed video game finalists have been selected. Designed by artists, students and programmers from around the world, these games cover a wide variety of genres, from documentary to platform puzzler:

Base Invaders by Seven Sigma/Matt Miner. USA.

The Blob by Banana Games/Jasper Koning. The Netherlands.

Book and Volume by Nick Monfort. USA.

Braid by Number None/Jonathan Blow. USA.

Castle Crashers by The Behemoth/John Baez. USA.

Cultivation by Jason Rohrer. USA.

Everyday Shooter by Queasy Games/Jonathan Mak. USA.

flOw by flow/Jenova Chen. USA.

Once Upon a Time by Waking Games Inc./Justin Meagher. Canada.

Plasma Pong by Steve Taylor. USA.

Steam Brigade by Pedestrian Entertainment/Ryan Thom. USA.

Super Columbine Massacre RPG! by Danny Ledonne. USA.

Toblo by Toblo/Steve Chiavelli. USA.

Toribash by Toribash/Hampus Soderstrom. Singapore.

Started in 1995 by a group of filmmakers, Slamdance continues to be organized and programmed exclusively by filmmakers, for filmmakers, one of many elements that make Slamdance a pioneering standout among its festival counterparts. Slamdance lacks much of the red tape and bureaucracy that can convolute the process that filmmakers come to festivals for in the first place – a chance to show their work. At Slamdance, the link between filmmaker and festival – and, subsequently, filmmaker and industry – is a direct and cohesive one. Slamdance alumni are recruited to serve as programmers, so first-timers are represented and assisted by Slamdance veterans. The mantra of “by filmmakers, for filmmakers” resounds at every level of the organization, and plays
a part in all of its undertakings. It’s what put Slamdance on the festival map to begin with, and what’s made it the viable, big-time contender it is today.
With the renowned film festival as its core, Slamdance has expanded its ventures to include the popular Slamdance.com website, writing competitions for both screenplays and teleplays, the Anarchy Online Short Film Competition, a $99 Special short film production project, a games competition and the newly announced Slamdance Horror Screenplay Competition, where an annual chosen script is guaranteed to be produced as a feature film.

The Slamdance Guerilla Gamemaker Competition will be headquartered and exhibited at the Treasure Mountain Inn (255 Main Street), January 18-27, 2007, in Park City, Utah as part of the Slamdance Film Festival. www.Slamdance.com
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