Activision hosting indie competition

By Robert Purchese Published 2 June, 2010

Fresh talent sought by Bobby and co.

Activision has announced what is apparently the first third-party Independent Games Competition for small-time developers in North America.

There will be two rounds to clear before reaching the grand prize, which is presumably a lump of money and a publishing contract. But that's unclear at this point.

All that's been revealed are the first round prizes of $175,000 for the winner and $75,000 for the loser er runner-up.

Submissions are open now and close on 31st August. And the winners will be announced in October.

"This competition underscores our commitment to supporting the creative spirit and innovation of developers," commented Activision's Dave Stohl.

Interestingly, the terms of the competition, which must be agreed to, say entrants must "acknowledge" that Activision may make games "similar to the entrant's submission" and must give first right of refusal to Activision for the development or publishing of any submission.

Those can be found on the entry form that can be reached from the Activision website.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds. @Clert on Twitter.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (32) Latest comment 2 years ago

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  • the_dudefather #1 2 years ago

    First prize is a visit from a security guard and being kicked out of your house

  • actionfitz #2 2 years ago

    "Interestingly, the terms of the competition, which must be agreed to, say entrants must "acknowledge" that Activision may make games "similar to the entrant's submission" and must give first right of refusal to Activision for the development or publishing of any submission."

    LOL.
    you fucking what?

  • dirtysteve #3 2 years ago

    'Interestingly, the terms of the competition, which must be agreed to, say entrants must "acknowledge" that Activision may make games "similar to the entrant's submission" and must give first right of refusal to Activision for the development or publishing of any submission. '

    The right of refusal I can understand, but the 'similar' game sounds like they're trying to use this to generate new IP's, and taking control of the rights from the original creators. It's an old practice, Even Limp Bizkit(dicks), did something similar, when they auditioned for new guitar players, and made them sign over the rights to any original riffs when they tried out.

    Still a dick move though.

  • lucky_jim #4 2 years ago

    "Fresh talent sought by Bobby and co."

    Shouldn't that read "Fresh victims"?

  • Ducklord #5 2 years ago

    So basically it's a competition to have your ideas stolen, before being put to work making the guns shinier on the next CoD?

  • RandomTerrain #6 2 years ago

    Someone a fan of The Rock, Raining_Upwards? :o)

    But I digress, it's true, I'm not so sure this idea will be so successful following recent news stories.
    But with so many people leaving, they have to replace that talent somehow, eh?

  • ignatiusjreilly #7 2 years ago

    Please, if you are any good, STAY AWAY.

    This is like a pride of lions hosting a wildebeest beauty contest.

  • RobotRocker #8 2 years ago

    Why in the blue hell would you want to subjugate yourself to Mr. Kotick's self imposed culture of 'fear and paranoia'?

    Were in a recession bro'

  • LondonSquare82 #9 2 years ago

    Well, if you're someone just mucking about on a concept (think Uni students etc) and have something playable then this isn't a bad way to bypass the queues most publishers have with their aquisitions depts. Sadly the application doc seems to have no details on royalties, so it looks like there is no ongoing revenue for the original concept owner so I suspect in the long run you'll get the shitty end of the financial stick.

  • Ignatius_Cheese #10 2 years ago

    GLOL!

    Nothing more to add...

  • HL706 #11 2 years ago

    "Interestingly, the terms of the competition, which must be agreed to, say entrants must "acknowledge" that Activision may make games "similar to the entrant's submission"

    This is actually a pretty standard clause when submitting any content to a publisher/developer, they wouldn't touch it otherwise due to the legal implications involved.

  • LondonSquare82 #12 2 years ago

    Interestingly I see nothing in the form about adding in malicious software or anything of that nature. So in *theory* its possible to hide something in your code that could be funny. Like changing the customer support info to be a direct line to Bobby Koticks cell phone. ;) I'm sure someone at Activision would screen for this, but with all the clever development talent out there just imagine what you could do along these lines!!

  • laharl80 #13 2 years ago

    Creative spirit and innovation and........Activision?!?!????
    Thats the funniest thing i've seen all week.

  • Milkman1 #14 2 years ago

    More slaves to make Call of duty map packs.

  • Monkey_Puncher #15 2 years ago

    Fresh talent ready for a Bobby Kotek raping!

  • BlinxHDD #16 2 years ago

    No backlash over Activision's poor handling of Blur yet (or was the game so "meh" that it's Bizarre's fault?)

    I expect retailers ordered a fair few copies nonetheless and won't be too pleased with sales performance. Same goes for a lot of recent Activision games not named "Call of Duty" actually!
    Edited by BlinxHDD at 02/06/10 @ 16:38

  • RobotRocker #17 2 years ago

    No backlash over Activision's poor handling of Blur yet (or was the game so "meh" that it's Bizarre's fault?)

    Sorta. They restarted the public multiplayer beta for Blur on the 360 to try get sales trucking again.

    Certainly not Bizarre's fault. It feels a bit strange but its one of their strongest titles in years.

  • Golgo #18 2 years ago

    Subheading: "Fresh talent bought by Bobby and co."?

  • LondonSquare82 #19 2 years ago

    @BlinxHDD & RobotRocker

    My understanding is that the pre-orders for Blur were really low on both sides of the pond, so retailers didn't buy in as much stock as they would have done for other titles from Activision. This lack of pre-orders might well be down to Split Second being the week before, and people wanting their arcade racing "fix" asap.

  • reinhart_menken #20 2 years ago

    @RobotRocker: Does recession mean selling your soul? :p

    Anyways, "we reserve the right to make a similar game" means "we're not gonna hire you even if we like your game, we're gonna get someone cheaper, someone with less bonuses, and take all the earnings you could have made making a 'proper' retail version of your game".

    I just can't believe they would make a disclaimer like that blatantly states that your intellectual property is forfeit.

    Edit: Well, I think the document was saying more that the "finalist's" IP is forfeit. It'd be funny if somebody got near to be a finalist and quit just shy of that (though I doubt they'd even consider you if you don't sign that box).
    Edited by reinhart_menken at 02/06/10 @ 17:38

  • RobotRocker #21 2 years ago

    Does recession mean selling your soul? :p

    Sadly at the minute. Yes. If you are working in a creative, you are pretty much screwed and should be aiming for something salaried or with frequent work anyway.

  • craziii #22 2 years ago

    you are basically signing over your idea and future to them. for a chance at 175K. this bobby guy really thinks he can have the cake and eat it too. would make sense if the condition only apply to the winner and runner up, but it is to all entrants.

    evil, greedy [way too greedy imo] and stupid. I wonder how many would fall for it.

  • hiddenranbir #23 2 years ago

    Fresh life force needed for Bobby to feed on.

  • MerricK #24 2 years ago

    if i made a game using just paint screenshots, played as a slide show, where you press the left arrow key where you end up kissing the devil aka old bobby's ass. then am sure i'd win.

  • SpaceMonkey77 #25 2 years ago

    Lol. Activision might as well have that that application form written on old parchment paper, with all the italic text written in human blood. In an age where everyone is about protecting and owning their IP, Activision clearly thinks many out there are stupid enough to sell their souls.

    175k would be a lot of money for an indie start up, but is miniscule considering they want to rob you of your IP at the same time. I have a few cool game concepts I'd like to see become games, but I wouldn't go anywhere near this competition. Stick to XNA and Dream Build Play, people.

    Nice one, Activision. Xbox 360 C*nt of the Day Achievement Unlocked.

  • Azazel #26 2 years ago

    Indie dev youth sent down the pixel mines etc.

  • Wedge1985 #27 2 years ago

    @Space monkey

    Hate to break it to you but this is included in the XNA T&A:

    Participant/Team understands and acknowledges that Microsoft may have developed or commissioned materials similar or identical to the Participant/Team's Entry, and Participant/Team waives any claims it may have resulting from any similarities to the Participant / Team's entry.

    AND

    Participant/Team understands that it will not receive any compensation or credit for use of its entry, other than what is described in these Official Rules.

    All the big companies have this in their small print. They're all as ruthless as each other.

  • Paulie_P #28 2 years ago

    They would argue the clause is there to protect them if any of the enteries is similar to an unannounced game they already have in development. Although it would be a very big coincidence.

  • Redeye #29 2 years ago

    "Are you creatively-gifted but certifiably insane? Do you have absolutely no use for money? Are you desperate beyond reason to 'work' in the games industry? Then sign right up, and we'll rape your soul. Love and brimstone, Bobby K."

  • OneOfSwords #30 2 years ago

    A lot of people are simply wrong in their assumptions on this one. Here are some facts:

    - If you enter, you keep your IP. There is nothing in this contest, anywhere, that says you transfer the IP of your creation. You only have to prove that you own your own IP and aren't ripping someone else's off.

    - If you win, Activision gets a first-look at the publishing deal when the winner feels the game is ready to go. Activision might say no thanks. If they do, you keep the game, the money, and the IP, and do whatever you want, including going to another publisher.

    - If you DO like the deal Activision puts on the table, that might include an offer for the IP -- but that will be your CHOICE. It is a separate publishing deal that would be discussed after the contest has concluded.

    So...what's the downside again? I think you guys are negative for no reason on this one.

    If you need any more clarity on this, I've got a forum for it.
    http://oneofswords.com/2010/06/independe...

  • Aradiel #31 2 years ago

    "A lot of people are simply wrong in their assumptions on this one. Here are some facts:
    - If you enter, you keep your IP. There is nothing in this contest, anywhere, that says you transfer the IP of your creation. You only have to prove that you own your own IP and aren't ripping someone else's off. "

    "Interestingly, the terms of the competition, which must be agreed to, say entrants must "acknowledge" that Activision may make games "similar to the entrant's submission" and must give first right of refusal to Activision for the development or publishing of any submission."

    Going by just the article, it looks like a fairly valid assumption to make.

  • KayTannee #32 2 years ago

    Going by Activisions record of trying thier best to be the most evil game publishers that have ever existed. I feel that peoples negative reading and sceptasism of the contract, is probably quite justified.