JOIN The Game Dev Challenge 2024
Imagined by NEOM
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What is the Game Dev Challenge imagined by NEOM?
The Game Dev Challenge is an initiative imagined by NEOM in partnership with Maysalward, a leading mobile game studio from the Middle East.
This 3-month STEM program is designed to empower young game developers in Saudi Arabia, specifically targeting students ages 15 to 17. It provides a platform for students to learn, design, develop, and launch their mobile games, with mentorship from industry professionals.
The Game Dev Challenge was first held in Riyadh in 2023 and will return to Riyadh and Jeddah in 2024.
IN THE NEWS
Read about the Game Dev Challenge imagined by NEOM.
Win one of the 4 NEOM Game Labs for your school worth 40,000 SAR!
Take advantage of this incredible opportunity, which is completely free!
The Game Dev Challenge STEM program is offered for free to schools by NEOM. Your school can register up to four teams, each consisting of four students and one educator. Participants will be guided by professional game developers and gain hands-on experience with professional tools and learn how to create a complete mobile game.
Beyond the invaluable skill set, participants will also have the chance to compete and win a 40,000 SAR NEOM Game Lab for their school. A total of 4 Game Labs will be awarded, 2 in Jeddah and 2 in Riyadh.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
Join the transformation
This remarkable opportunity enables students to demonstrate their creativity and abilities in game development while gaining insights into NEOM’s Gaming Hub and the $200 billion video games industry. They will play a role in shaping the future of gaming in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030, which aims to transform the nation into a global entertainment and digital innovation hub.
The Game Dev Challenge’s first edition in Riyadh in 2023 witnessed the participation from 7 international and private schools:
The Game Dev Challenge’s first edition in Riyadh in 2023 witnessed the participation from 7 international and private schools:
- Misk Schools
- Al Faris International School
- Al Manhal Schools
- Dome International School
- Manarat Al-Riyadh International Schools
- Al-Rowad International Schools
- Najd National School
Here are the 6 easy steps to joining the Game Dev Challenge this year and contributing to the future of gaming in Saudi Arabia!
Register the team
Schools register and provide details about their teams. Each team should consist of a minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 5 students, accompanied by one teacher from the school. Each school can have up to 4 teams, with the number of students in each team being gender-specific (either boys only or girls only). Teachers cannot be shared between teams.
Registration deadline for Riyadh: September 10
Registration deadline for Jeddah: September 19
Orientation Day
All teams are invited to an in-person Orientation Day (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to delve into the mobile video game industry. Through interactive activities, participants will explore the history of gaming, storytelling techniques, and creative thinking within the industry. This engaging session aims to spark students' interest in gaming and equip teachers with actionable insights for classroom application.
At the end of the Orientation Day, all teams will take a Creativity Test. The top 10 teams chosen based on this test will proceed to the training phase and enter the Challenge.
Riyadh (September 17 for boys and September 18 for girls)
Jeddah (September 25 for boys and September 26 for girls)
Five-Day Training
The ten chosen teams will undergo intensive, five-day, in-person training (8 am to 3 pm daily) covering Unity, Maya Autodesk, and other vital game development tools. The training will be in English, but all instructors are bilingual and can offer support in Arabic if needed.
Riyadh: September 28 - October 2
Jeddah: October 5 - October 9
60-day Challenge
After the 5-day training, students will have 60 days to develop their mobile game based on a specific theme that will be provided. They will receive continuous support from professional mentors via an online Discord channel. The Maysalward team will also make an in-person school visit to ensure progress and provide assistance.
Each team will be provided with 2 high-end laptops for the duration of the challenge to develop their game.
Final Presentation and Award Ceremony
The Challenge will culminate in a grand ceremony. Here, winners will be announced after they present their projects and games to a jury of industry experts. These experts will evaluate the work and decide on the winners.
Final Presentation and Award Ceremony:
Riyadh: December 8, 2024
Jeddah: December 10, 2024
Deployment of NEOM Gaming Lab
In each city, the top 2 teams’ schools will each receive a NEOM Game Lab worth 40,000 SAR. The Maysalward team will fully support its design and deployment.
#NGDC24 Timeline
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Testimonials
Join us for an inspiring look at the Game Dev Challenge 2023 in Riyadh. Educators came together to share their experiences and insights about the program. In this video, teachers from the participating schools talk about how the program has changed their teaching, increased student involvement, and helped them grow professionally.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
We have put together some commonly asked questions.
What is the NEOM Game Dev Challenge?
The Game Dev Challenge is a STEM program designed to empower young game developers in Saudi Arabia, specifically targeting students aged 15 to 17. It provides a platform for students to learn, design, develop, and launch their own mobile games, with mentorship from industry professionals.
Who can participate in the Game Dev Challenge?
The challenge is open to both male and female students from international and private high schools in Saudi Arabia ages 15 to 17. It aims to engage young talent in the field of game development and provide them with skills and opportunities to innovate in the gaming industry.
What are the benefits of participating in the Game Dev Challenge?
Participants gain hands-on experience in game development, receive mentorship from experienced professionals, and have the opportunity to showcase their creativity. Additionally, the winning teams’ schools receives a NEOM Game Lab worth 40,000 SAR to further support innovation in mobile game development.
How does the mentorship component of the challenge work?
The mentorship is provided by an experienced educational team from Maysalward, a leading mobile game studio. They offer technical guidance and insights into the global gaming market, helping participants develop their skills and understand industry trends.
How are teams selected for training after the orientation day?
Throughout the Orientation Day, all teams develop an interactive game story and are assessed on their level of participation, creativity, quality, and technical expertise. They also take an objective test on session-derived vital concepts at the end of the day. The Maysalward Team reviews the game stories and the test results, and based on those total scores, the 10 qualified teams are selected.
When and where will the Game Dev Challenge conclude?
The Game Dev Challenge will culminate in a grand award ceremony on December 8 (Riyadh) and 10 (Jeddah). Teachers, parents, game industry professionals, and government representatives will join the event to celebrate all participants’ accomplishments and witness the announcement of the winning teams.