UPDATE: The Competition is now closed. This page is left for reference purposes only
All E4.com Grand Master Flash game entries that meet our strict entry rules and special terms and conditions will be put before a panel of judges, who will whittle down the entries to a shortlist for the public vote.
Generally, the games on our site are judged quite simply on how enjoyable they are to play. This could be playability, technical achievement, execution of a joke, or something else entirely that makes them stand out from the crowd. Grand Master Flash is just that little bit tougher!
Once the entries have been received, the judges will go into a little huddle and decide which are their favourites. To stand a chance of winning, you’ve got to make sure your game doesn’t make them say any of the following:
“I can’t work out how to play this game!”
Is your game easy to understand and play? Have you included instructions as part of the game or, even better, made it so intuitive that even a shaved chimp in dungarees could pick it up quickly? Or have you accidentally made level 7 impossible to complete without Jedi mind powers? Test your game well before submitting it.
“Well, it’s okay, but I’ve seen it all before…”
Kudos if you can come up with a genuinely innovative new idea but, even if your game ploughs a well-explored furrow, have you managed to add a unique spin? Don’t be afraid to add lashings of imagination and expression to even the most basic of game mechanics. Tease those ActionScripts! Bend ‘em til they break.
“Hmmm… now I’m getting bored!”
Have you made your game engaging enough? Is there plenty of variety as the game progresses? Have you included different ideas, levels, bonus rounds or rewards to keep the notoriously attention deficient gaming community interested? Basically, does the game suck you in, or does it just suck?
“I’d love to tell people about this… but I’m not gonna…”
Are people going to want to share your game? You might have come up with something gob-smacking, but make sure it’s for the right reasons. Pushing boundaries is great but if your game is so rude or offensive that people don’t want to be associated with it, then you’ll be playing it alone. Is your game suitable for all audiences?
“Hang on, this has been nicked!”
Check the FAQ. Is the game all your own work? Or do really believe that Pac-Man is your idea? If it’s the former, then check and double-check that you own everything in the game, from graphics to music to code (no “reverse engineering” someone else’s work, please). If it’s the latter, then you are Toru Iwatani (or in need of help).
So, to sum up, our judging panel is looking for creative, intuitive, original, enjoyable games. Built one of those? Then you’ll want to upload that bad boy to us and enter the competition…
Leave a comment
Be the first to comment