WSPTA Game Development Competition
The WSPTA Game Development Competition is a STEM-based program, introduced in 2016, to encourage and support student success. Students attending a middle or high school with a PTA/PTSA in good standing may participate and share their knowledge and creativity based on an assigned theme.
The purpose is to provide an opportunity for students, either individually or in teams of up to five members, to use their creative talents and express themselves by developing a game, either a physical board game or a computer game. Students’ submissions are judged in the following areas: best board game, best computer game, arts and animation, game design, programming (code), and audio design.
To ensure all students have an equal opportunity to participate (regardless of access to computers and programming classes) a new category, best board game, was added in 2020. Students may now enter by creating a board game (this includes card games) so no prior knowledge of programming is required. All students will be able to showcase their creativity, determination, and game design skills.
The theme for the 2022-2023 competition is Curiosity.
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” -Walt Disney
The application deadline for the 2022-2023 year has closed. The 2023 Essay, Game Development and Scholarship Awards Celebration will be on April 24, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM.
The 2021-2022 winners are located on the Student Showcase page.
Eligibility
Students must participate through a local PTA/PTSA in good standing. Parent groups not affiliated with WSPTA are not eligible to sponsor this program. It is the responsibility of the local PTA/PTSA to determine each student’s eligibility in the program. A student/team may develop an entry in or outside of school.
Grade Divisions
Computer Games
Students in grades 6*-12 may participate individually or in teams of up to five* members. Teams are encouraged and may be composed of multiple grades. A PTA/PTSA must be in good standing and may have an unlimited number of teams.
Board Games
Students in grades 6-12 may participate individually or in teams of up to five* members. Teams are encouraged and may be composed of multiple grades. A PTA/PTSA must be in good standing and may have an unlimited number of teams. Click here for a resource on how to create your own board game.
(* designates changes to the 2022-23 rules)
Timelines
The online form is required to identify the team and provide information about your game. You will need to provide a link to the file-sharing folder where your game and supporting materials can be accessed by the judges. Contact the Game Development Competition chair with questions.
Winners will be announced in April 2023. Funding for the prizes is provided by a grant, with the top prizes being $150 each.
Registration - Submittal Process
The submission process is new this year. We encourage you to read this blog to learn more.
Individuals or teams will register directly with WSPTA by completing an online submission form. The deadline for the 2022-2023 submissions has passed. Students will upload their submissions directly to the state level for judging. There is no fee for participation.
Computer game entries:
1. Do not forget to include your source code with your entry. If for some reason the judges cannot get your game to run, the source code will help them judge your game.
2. Include information about the audio and images/artwork so that the judges will know if it was created by a team member or if it was taken from somewhere else. If using audio or images/artwork from another source, make sure to also provide the credit for that source.
Questions? Email the Game Development Competition chair.