Million dollar project to find 'the next big digital game'

BigPond and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) today launched a million dollar hunt for the next big digital game.

Project Joystick will turn an Australian gamer's concept into a commercial reality and, hopefully, Australia's hottest new online and mobile game.

BigPond's Director of Media, Bill Burton, said: "Project Joystick is a $1 million investment to find, develop and bring to market the hottest new digital game.

"So if you have a great game idea, even just a concept, this is your opportunity to see it become a reality," Mr Burton said.

ACMI Director, Tony Sweeney, said "It doesn't have to be complicated, in fact some of the greatest games like Tetris and Pacman were inspired by events in the everyday world. So you never know where the next hot game concept will come from."

Entry is now open at bigpond.com. The winning concept will be built into an online and mobile game by professional games developers and the winner will receive 'money-can't-buy' experience with games industry experts from BigPond and ACMI, along with a package of top spec equipment for online gaming.

Mr Burton said Project Joystick would be a 12 month partnership between BigPond and ACMI to create opportunities and nurture talent in Australian games communities.

"BigPond is a true innovator in online entertainment, and with the digital games industry now worth more than the movies industry globally, it's a great space to develop new ideas and talent," Mr Burton said.

ACMI's Tony Sweeney said "We celebrate everything about the moving image and we're the first to encourage and recognise the new Australian innovators who willingly embrace the challenge to come up with the next big thing.

"And we're also serious about games, so as part of Project Joystick we're developing a dedicated space on our ACMI website to provide competition entrants with extra stimulus for game ideas and to encourage them to be a part of the competition," he said.

Project Joystick's winning concept will be selected by representatives from BigPond, ACMI and the games industry.

The winner will receive a tailored package including a top-of-the-range games PC, BigPond High-Speed Broadband for 12 months, a Next GTM mobile handset with a 12 month account, BigPond entertainment vouchers and an ACMI Prize Pack. They will also receive a credit on the game, publicity and industry experience developing the game. Entries close on August 22 and the winner will be announced in early October.

Project Joystick will be promoted by ACMI in conjunction with Screen IT school education programme, and on-site and online at www.acmi.net.au/screenit.jsp