Tech Shout!

The International Mobile Gaming Awards (IMGA), a recognition bestowed upon the most innovative and creative mobile games in the world, has started inviting entries for the forthcoming IMGA 2007 event. Mobile and online games company Indiagames are the official promotional partner in Asia for IMGA.

Entries coming from various ends such as mobile gaming studios, individual developers, group of individuals, students, researchers and companies involved in development of Mobile Games are being welcomed. Marseille, France-headquartered IMGA is platform independent and entries are open for Un-Published Mobile Games on Flash, Java, Brew, I-Mode etc.

Maarten Noyons, founder and Managing Director, International Mobile Gaming Awards stated, “In 2006, we saw exciting new connected games and multi-platform games entering the competition, games that were using all the features of mobile phones including microphone, camera, motion sensors and connectivity. We reviewed location based games and 3D games with stunning high quality graphics, and simple, addictive 2D games developed with flash. This year we are expecting to see innovations and improvements in all these areas. In October, we will bring you the 25 nominated games that represent the cutting edge of Mobile Entertainment worldwide.”

Speaking about the latest association, Vishal Gondal, CEO of Indiagames, the promotional partner for IMGA in India said, “The IMGA Awards provide the right platform for mobile games developers & publishers to exhibit their creative work to an international audience and leading companies in the Mobile-Multimedia arena. We are proud of our continuing association with IMGA. This is truly a wonderful programme to encourage original thinking in Mobile Gaming. We expect a sizeable number of entries to come from India itself.”

Lucky winners will walk home with big winning booties, as much as US $40,000. for categories that include Excellence in Connectivity (Multi-platform, social networking), Excellence in 3D, Excellence in Game Play, Best-licensed IP-based game, Best Casual Game (Flash, Java, etc.).

The winners will receive cash prizes, software licenses from Adobe, Nokia mobile phones and a guaranteed contract with an operator and a publisher to market the title.

IMGA 2007, which is the 4th edition of the competition, is currently inviting all game developers to participate; the last date to submit the entries to the international jury is 24th September 2007.

Interested developers can submit their game online at www.imgawards.com. From the initial entries, a short list of 25 will be announced by the end of October. Those short listed will then have until January 28, 2008, to produce a demo version of their concept for judging. The winners will be revealed in Barcelona on February 11, 2008.