WatchDog Art. Aspiring Game Artists. Image courtesy of Ubisoft

GAME DESIGN COMPETITION: UBISOFT announcement of The Next Level and Academy of Art University Design  competition excites aspiring game artists and Designers

BY KAZAD

SAN FRANCISCO – There is great excitement in the gaming world today.  Today, The Next Level, the inclusive competition initiative from Ubisoft, and the Academy of Art University School of Game Design kicked off their “Design to Win” contest.  The contest provides the opportunity for aspiring game artists and designers to submit their unique game design concepts and supporting art pieces.

The winner of the contest will get the chance of a lifetime to explore his or her game development dreams with an online enrichment course in Game Art or Game Design valued at $2,500.

Josh Milligan, Senior Director of Customer Management at Ubisoft is thrilled by the prospect of this Game Design contest. He is hopeful that it would put aspiring game artists on a sound footing. “We are very excited about this partnership between the Academy of Art and Ubisoft’s program The Next Level,” he said.

Milligan explained that anyone has a chance to participate and win in The Next Level. He describes it as a wonderful extension to be able to reward “passionate gamers with classes and education through the Academy of Art.” In addition, Milligan notes that ‘Just as The Next Level can be an introduction to competitive gaming, the Academy of Art is a path for gamers to become developers.’

Game Design Competition

Speaking on the joint project, David Goodwine, Director of Game Design at Academy of Art University said Academy of Art University  gives “students the tools they need to reach their full creative potential.’  He notes further that working with The Next Level will “help a talented artist or developer jumpstart their career in video games.’

Submissions began Monday, July 7, and will be accepted until August 11. The top three finalists will be announced on August 13 and their submissions will be on display at PAX Prime in Seattle from August 29-30. A panel of industry professionals will choose one winner on the final day of PAX Prime, September 1.

Aspiring Game Artists and Designers Take on ‘The Next Level’ as They ‘Design to Win’