Microsoft, Rare and Lionhead collaborate on contest

Microsoft Research Cambridge, in collaboration with Microsoft XNA, Rare Ltd., and Lionhead Studios are organising an international contest named "Silicon Minds".

The contest challenges developers to invent and build a new game on the theme of artificial intelligence for Windows XP, Windows Vista or the Xbox 360 using XNA Games Studio 2.0.

The aim of the contest is to "encourage understanding of how gaming research, artificial intelligence and machine learning contribute to more innovative gameplay and more realistic and fun gaming experiences," according to organisers.

"Silicon Minds" is also a warm-up contest for the "Dream-Build-Play 2008" competition.

Five finalists teams will receive an interview for a three month internship at the Microsoft Research Cambridge lab and/or at Rare or Lionhead Studios during Summer 2008.

Finalists also receive a one-year subscription to the XNA Creators Club for each team member and a UDS 3000 stipend per team for projects / travel to the Game Developers Conference and an invitation to show the project entry at GDC 2008 in San Francisco.

The competition will be judged by representatives from Microsoft Research Cambridge, Rare Ltd., Lionhead Studios and a panel of leading international academic experts based upon three criteria: quality of artificial intelligence demonstrated, the level of entertainment the game provides, and the production quality of the game.

Registration is now open, and entries must be submitted between December 20 and January 27.

Winners will be announced at GDC 2008 in February 2008.