Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
Google's Change the Game Design Challenge hopes to diversify the gaming industry
- Google’s Change the Game Design Challenge allows teens to submit game design ideas.
- The winner and four finalists will win a variety of prizes.
- The idea behind the challenge is to empower teens as creators and players to make the gaming industry more inclusive.
Launched in December, Google’s Change the Game initiative seeks to make gaming more inclusive. Part of that onus is on developers to better represent women in their games, which is where the Change the Game Design Challenge comes in.
In conjunction with Girls Make Games and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation, the Design Challenge asks entrants to come up with game design ideas and what they want to see in the future. The form asks very specific questions, such as the game title, description, where the idea came from, whether the game has a storyline, one’s motivation to keep playing the game, and more.
From there, entrants can upload any sketches, wireframes, doodles, or level design that you would like reviewed. Finally, the 100-word statement must include why entrants are passionate about game making and what change they would eventually like to see in the gaming industry.
Four finalists will get a VIP trip to Los Angeles, where they will take a tour of the Google LA office and attend E3 to join a celebration of women in gaming. They will also get a scholarship to Girls Make Games summer camp and an Android tablet.
The grand prize winner gets all of the aforementioned goodies, as well as a $10,000 college scholarship and a $15,000 technology contribution to their school.
To enter the challenge, you must be between 13 and 18 years old. Also, you must have a parent or legal guardian fill out and submit the entry form.
Entrants have until May 16 at 5pm PST to submit their game design ideas.
Google likely hopes that this challenge empowers teenagers to make more inclusive games, or at least have the gaming industry be more diverse. According to a study commissioned by Google, 27.8% of the gaming industry is female, with only 23% of women feeling that there is equal opportunity and treatment for everyone in the game industry.
You can go to the link below to take part in the challenge.