(24 May 2006 8:00 pm)

MUMBAI: GarageGames has announced the launch of the B.I.G. (Break Into Games) Competition - a search for America's greatest independent videogame developers on 5 June 2006.

On the lines of an American Idol style finale, the entrants and winners will vie for prizes including professional gaming hardware and coveted publishing deals with GarageGames and its partners.

All B.I.G. entrants will be given the opportunity to build their game prototypes with a free trial version of the impressive, new Torque Game Builder (TGB) from GarageGames, which will empower them to build amazing games from scratch and compete for top prizes and recognition, informs an official release.

"We've seen compelling games prototypes created with TGB in one to two weeks," said GarageGames president Mark Frohnmayer.

The competition is said to be supported by a step-by-step tutorial to a fully developed online community, where designers are in contact with technical experts from GarageGames and the gaming community. Podcasts and white papers are also available for reference.

Prototype games are due 25 August 2006, the top 10 finalists will be simultaneously announced at the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) in Bellevue and at ShowDown in San Jose on 26 August 2006.

The contestants will then have over one month to polish their final games before being flown out to compete at IndieGamesCon (IGC)-- GarageGames annual version of Sundance for Indie game developers - in Eugene, Oregon from 6 to 8 October 2006.

Only five contestants will be chosen to appear at the end of the Player's Choice Awards and be part of B.I.G.'s 'Indie Idol,' judged by a panel of industry experts.

GarageGames director of business development Jay Moore said, "This is the best opportunity for up-and-coming videogame developers to break into the business and for established developers to show their skills. We've made it totally free so that it's possible for literally anyone to pursue the American dream. Furthermore, the support is there to make anyone a winner who has the passion for it."