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Oregon Game Project Challenge


Registration is now closed - 31 teams (a total of 150 students) are registered to compete on May 17th!


The TechStart Foundation in affiliation with the Oregon University System and an enthusiastic group of volunteers is pleased to announce Oregon's first annual high school game programming competition - Oregon Game Project Challenge 1.0 (ogpc 1.0). Teams of three to seven high school students have the opportunity to create computer games specifically designed to be fun, challenging and innovative. All games must be based around this year's theme of the science behind energy issues. The entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges and trophies in several categories will be awarded to teams based on what they accomplish during the season and at the tournament on May 17, 2008.

This is also a chance to meet and hear from experienced members of the Oregon computer and video game design industry!

Update: The 2008 ogpc 1.0 event will be held at Chemeketa Community College, Building 6 in Salem, Oregon on May 17, 2008.

Important Documents:

Why the Oregon Game Project Challenge?

By creating a great game, students can:

  • Win recognition and achievement awards.
  • Have fun developing a fun game for others to play.
  • Learn about this year's theme - the science behind global and local energy issues.
  • Learn the basics of game development and the underlying computer science.
  • Work with your friends and teammates on a fun creative project.
  • Get a better sense about whether they're interested in learning more about game development and computer science.

Important Dates

The Platform

Students do not need any experience in computer programming to participate in the competition. The platform used in the competition, Game Maker, allows for different experience levels. Game Maker is a freely available, PC-based game development tool. Game Maker's drag and drop gaming primitives and friendly interface allow novice designers to create interesting games almost immediately. For more advanced users, Game Maker's built-in programming language provides flexibility and customization. Development on Game Maker is supported by online documentation, tutorials, and lots of game examples. Teams can use the Lite Edition (free) or the Pro Edition ($20), which provides more functionality.

Getting Started

If you are a teacher or a parent:

  1. Consider introducing your students to computer science using Game Maker either in class or as an after-school activity.
  2. Form one or more teams of three to seven team students each.
  3. Submit your team's registration by filling out the registration form and paying the $50 registration fee by April 17, 2008. Note that the registration fee can be waived for teams with special circumstances - please inquire for more details.
  4. Download the free Lite Edition of Game Maker and the free tutorials
  5. Have your students use the tutorials or one of the books to learn about Game Maker. The Game Maker's Apprentice by Jacob Habgood and Mark Overmars or Basic Game Design & Creation for Fun & Learning by Nanu Swamy. A copy of the Lite Edition of Game Maker also comes on CD-ROM with these books.
  6. When the details of this year's challenge are announced on March 15, 2008, encourage your team(s) to start their project!
  7. If your teams exhaust the features of the Lite Edition consider upgrading to the Pro Edition for $20.

If you are a student:

  1. Form a team of three to seven team members
  2. Find a adult to serve as your team's coach.
  3. Have the coach submit your team's registration by filling out the registration form and paying the $50 registration fee by April 17, 2008.
  4. Download the free Lite Edition of Game Maker and the free tutorials
  5. Start using the tutorials or one of the books to learn about Game Maker. The Game Maker's Apprentice by Jacob Habgood and Mark Overmars or Basic Game Design & Creation for Fun & Learning by Nanu Swamy. A copy of the Lite Edition of Game Maker also comes on CD-ROM with these books.
  6. When the details of this year's challenge are announced on March 15, 2008, start your project!
  7. If you exhaust the features of the Lite Edition consider upgrading to the Pro Edition for $20.

Registration and other costs

  • $50 per team registration fee using the Team Registration Form.
  • Lite Edition of Game Maker (no charge).
  • Optional purchase of Game Maker book(s).
  • Optional upgrade to Pro Edition Game Maker
  • Access to a Windows-based personal computer
  • Transportation to the tournament site - location to be announced.

How will the teams' accomplishments be evaluated?

Teams' accomplishments will be judged based from a variety of perspectives:

  • The depth and breadth of research the team does on this year's theme.
  • How well the game was designed.
  • The quality of the presentation that the team makes at the tournament.
  • How well the game incorporates the annual theme.
  • How much fun the game is to play.
  • Advanced use of technology or programming features

We expect to award trophies in several categories. The categories will probably be:

  • Best Research
  • Best Game Design
  • Best Programming
  • Best Presentation
  • Best Teamwork
  • Best Game Experience
  • Best Overall

No team will received more than one trophy. If we have more than 15 teams we will award 2nd and possibly 3rd place in some or all categories so that the changes of winning a trophy are about 50%.

Please email TechStart if you have any questions.