Dare ProtoPlay 09 invades Edinburgh festivals

[Elaine Russell]

The best raw talent in computer games design from around the world is preparing for a final battle at Dare ProtoPlay (14-16 August) at EICC (Fringe venue 150), part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Dare ProtoPlay, presented by Abertay University and powered by Intel, has grown out of the world-leading Dare to be Digital competition and aims to celebrate young talent through a mini video-games festival. It is a unique cultural event for the games industry showcasing talent, IP, research, and much more, and serves as a battleground for creativity and culture in games development.

Fourteen brand new computer games, developed by teams during this year’s Dare to be Digital competition, will fight it out at Dare ProtoPlay to win the public vote and the endorsement of a panel of industry experts.

This year’s Dare ProtoPlay will also see digital toy factory Denki present the first opportunity to play a preview of Quarrel, their new Xbox Live Arcade game. Everyone is invited to play and give feedback that will directly affect how the game looks and works when it is released in 2010..

In addition, Dare ProtoPlay will also feature several other exciting new elements: a music workshop by Yann Seznec, who will use Wacom pen tablets to create music instruments; Abertay PhD research programmes based on video games technology; a Dare iPhone game preview in association with Digital Goldfish; a special Career Workshop in association with BAFTA targeted for teenagers and much more.

The top three teams in Dare to be Digital will be the sole nominees for the highly coveted BAFTA Video Games Ones to Watch Award next year.

Among the visitors to Dare ProtoPlay will be Scotland’s Culture Minister Mike Russell MSP, who will meet teams and try out some of the games on Friday 14 August.

3 years in a row, Dare ProtoPlay has grown stronger and better every year. It has gained many loyal followers. It will be a video games event to watch in the north.

Entry is free for the event which is open 10am – 6pm Friday 14th to Sunday 16th August at EICC.

For further information including a preview of the games and team blogs, please visit: www.daretobedigital.com

Hope to see you. Full even list:

In the Strathblane Hall - Entrance Level

Exclusive World Premiere!
Come and have a Quarrel, the brand new Xbox Live Arcade game from Denki. Make high scoring words like ZAP, BLAM and DUCKLING to crush your opponents and dominate Quarrel’s fair isles

Be a Star Reporter

Fancy yourself as an ace reporter? Come and review your favourite video game on screen.

iPhone Games

Preview the first Dare game to be released on IPhone by Abertay University, Ctrl_D and Digital Goldfish.

Sound Track

Watch one of last year's games along with a short animation, accompanied by the music of the Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra.

In the Cromdale Hall – Lower Ground

Dare to be Digital 2009 games

Play and review 14 new games designed by tomorrow’s game development stars, who are fighting for the BAFTA Ones to Watch Award. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite.

Voting closes on Sunday 16th @ 2pm.

BAFTA Ones to Watch Award Winners 2007 and 2009

Try your hand at the BAFTA award winning games Ragnarawk and Boro-Toro.

Career Workshop in association with BAFTA

Fancy a career in the games development industry? Find out more in the career workshops supported by BAFTA. Age 14+.

Games Unpacked

Would you like to see how game development tools are used in the classroom? Come and find out about one of Abertay University's projects to make these tools accessible for teachers.

Research Showcase

Video Games technology is used in many other applications. Find out about the exciting interactive projects being developed by four PhD students from Abertay University.

Make Music with Yann

Can you create music with Wacom pen tablets? Yann Seznec, artist, musician & sound designer will show you how. Audience participation is required, so be prepared to make some music!

Football Manager Challenge

Build your fantasy team in the Football Manager relay.

Awards Ceremony (Sunday 16th August @ 5pm)

The culmination of 10 weeks’ hard work by the 14 teams taking part in this year’s Dare. Come and find out who will walk away with this year’s prizes and become the BAFTA nominees for 2010 Did you pick the winner?

[Liam Wong]

I'm in one of the teams in Dare to be Digital this year, feel free to drop by our game stand. Team: Pixel Pirates, game: Colour-Coded

Shameless plug: www.colour-coded.com

[Elaine Russell]

Thanks. I have just added the link to the post.