Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I register a team to compete?

Teams will register at the Registration Session on October 3rd, at 5:30 in ATEC 1.606. There is no online registration.

If you are still looking for a team, the UTD Student Game Developers Association forums have space for competitors to find each other, at utdgamedev.org.

Q: Who is eligible?

Teams must be composed of UT Dallas students currently registered in Fall 08.  Students from all UT Dallas schools and all levels of study, graduate or undergraduate, are eligible. Part time students are eligible to compete!  Students that graduate during the competition may continue to compete.Team members may be currently employed in the computer game industry. Previous winners of the CGEC may compete, as long as they are eligible under the current competition guidelines.

UTD faculty, instructional staff, and graduate teaching associates are not eligible to compete. Research associates are still eligible.

Q: Can I enter the competiton if I am a former UTD student?

All team members must be currently enrolled students at UT Dallas during the Fall 08 semester .

Q: Do I have to be a student during the entire competition?

Competitors must be currently registered UTD students during the Fall 08 semester. Graduating students are still eligible to compete.

Q: Can I compete if I was part of a winning team last year?

Yes. Winners from last year may compete again, as long as they are still eligible under the current competition guidelines.

Q: Can I compete if I currently work in the computer game industry?

Yes. Competitors may be currently employed by the computer game industry, as long as they are also currently registered and enrolled UTD students in the Fall 08 semester.

Q: What if I want to compete and can't find a team?

Please attend the orientation session on September 16th! At this session, previous winners will do a small psotmortem of their development process, and interested students can find other team members with which to compete.

Q: How many members can be in a team?

Teams are limited to three to eight members. Substitutions will be allowed at the discretion of the competition coordinator..

Q: Does every team member have to attend the orientation session on Friday, October 3rd?

Yes. If one of your teammates is unable to attend orientation, please contact the competition coordinator.

Q: Can I join more than one team?

No. Given the level of commitment required from each team and the nature of the competition, you must sign up for one team only.

Q: What constitutes a "mod"?

This competition makes a distinction between "mod" and "total conversion." Creating a level for the game Doom 3 using Id's assets and gameplay is not acceptable. Creating a demo for an original game with your own assets and gameplay using the Doom 3 engine is perfectly fine.

Q: Will you critique our game during the competition process?

For the 08-09 competition, all teams will present their game concepts in-progress to a panel of experts in game design, art, programming, and management. Teams will receive feedback and comments from these advisers at specific milestones throughout the competition. Advisers will not advise or coach teams individually outside of these sessions.

Q: Can we add team members after the Registration date?

Additions and substitutions to your team roster will occur at the discretion of the competition coordinator.

Deadlines:

Sept. 16, '08:	Orientation Session at 5:00 PM in ATEC 1.606. Come to find a team and hear the previous winners speak about their experience in last years' competition and give advice to new teams.
Oct. 3:	Registration Session at 5:30 PM in ATEC 1.606. All teams must be present to register and fill out paperwork at this meeting. There is no online registration and no registration fee.
Nov. 14:	First benchmark deadline. Teams present their game concept in pre-production to a panel of experts in game design, art, programming, and management, and receive feedback and guidance.
Jan. 30, '09 :	Second benchmark deadline. Teams receive feedback and guidance on their prototype (Alpha-stage) concepts.
Mar. 27 :	Third benchmark deadline. Teams receive final feedback and guidance on their Beta-stage game concepts.
Apr. 3 :	Final submissions due by 12:00 noon in ATEC 1.908.
Apr. 24 :	Awards ceremony, reception and project showcase. First, second, and third prizes and the Hughes Ventures Award presented.
Summer 2009	Continuation of winning game design under the guidance of UTD faculty and industry experts.