Leading Publisher Kicks-off Second Annual Developer Dash Program to Inspire
Innovation in Casual Games
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- PlayFirst, the leading publisher
focused exclusively on casual games, today announced that it has granted
$30,000 in awards to independent developers who submitted games to the 2007
Developer Dash funding program. Recipients range from incorporated
companies to individual developers across the globe. The winners are Kef
Sensei (Uruguay), SortaSoft (USA), Mini IT (Russia), Beatshapers (Ukraine),
Sergey Batishchev (Russia) and Rafal Kozik (Poland).
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051004/SFTU029LOGO)
"Historically, expansion in video game adoption has largely been driven
by innovations in game design," said John Welch, CEO and president of
PlayFirst who is keynoting the Casual Games Summit at GDC on Monday, Feb.
18. "As a leader in casual games, we consider it our privilege and
responsibility to encourage creativity among the development community.
Fostering creativity benefits everyone because innovative hits lift the
profile and appeal of the entire category."
Launched at the 2007 Game Developers Conference (GDC), Developer Dash
is PlayFirst's funding initiative to inspire creativity and innovation in
the casual games industry. As part of the program, PlayFirst has ear-marked
$100,000 per year in funds to recognize game developers for delivering
creative and innovative games.
As a result of the 2007 Developer Dash, PlayFirst also completed a new
publishing contract with Kef Sensei based on the company's outstanding
submission to the program.
"We received dozens of Developer Dash entries in 2007, which is
fantastic given that this was the first year Playground SDK was freely
available," said Craig Bocks, director of publishing, PlayFirst. "Many of
those submissions were grant worthy and we're extremely pleased to announce
that one in particular, from Kef Sensei, led us to sign a publishing deal
with the developer."
"Winning a Developer Dash award is exciting and the publishing deal is
like a dream come true for a startup game studio like ours," said Eli
Barnett, CEO, Kef Sensei. "PlayFirst is really stepping up in their search
for new, talented developers that challenge existing genres and game
dynamics to take the casual industry to an entirely new level. The
Developer Dash program provides a great incentive for small and talented
developers who have great ideas, but are in need of funding."
Developers: Earn Cash with Developer Dash
While the casual games industry continues to grow at an explosive rate,
many independent developers face a myriad of challenges getting their games
noticed and into the marketplace. In response to these challenges,
PlayFirst launched the inaugural Developer Dash in 2007, an annual
developer funding program that will grant up to $100,000 in cash again in
2008 to encourage and support independent developers in creating new and
innovative games.
To be eligible, developers must simply download PlayFirst's popular
casual game development framework, Playground SDK(TM), and submit a game
prototype that meets the following criteria:
-- Built in Playground SDK*
-- Commercially viable casual game (i.e., no offensive themes, gratuitous
violence)
-- Submitted to PlayFirst in 2008
Whether a game submission is selected to receive a grant or not, there
are no binding terms in the program, meaning the developer retains all
publishing and distribution rights to their game, unless a deal is
specifically struck with PlayFirst.
"We chose the Playground SDK over three other tools for its proven
commercial success, track record and for its ease of use, and we are
extremely satisfied with our decision," continued Barnett. "If you know
coding, even a small amount, the Playground game engine beats every other
framework out there for casual games."
The next target date to submit your game for review is March 31, 2008.
Future dates are June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2008.
Meet with PlayFirst at GDC!
PlayFirst producers want to meet with talented developers at the Game
Developers Conference, February 18-22 in San Francisco. To schedule a
meeting please contact PlayFirst at devdash@playfirst.com. For business
development opportunities, please contact business@playfirst.com. John
Welch's keynote address will be held in Room 2014 in the West Hall at
Moscone Center on Monday, February 18 at 12 p.m.
For more information about Playground SDK or to submit your game to the
Developer Dash program, please visit https://developer.playfirst.com.
About PlayFirst, Inc.
PlayFirst is the leading publisher focused exclusively on casual games.
Committed to building shared casual game experiences around lasting
original brands, PlayFirst games are rich in gameplay, story and character.
PlayFirst works with talented internal and external developers to bring
mass market games to multiple platforms, including PC, Mac, mobile,
handheld and console. The company's portfolio includes the world-renowned
Diner Dash(R) franchise, as well as top-selling games such as Wedding
Dash(TM), Chocolatier(R), and Dream Chronicles(TM). Founded in 2004,
PlayFirst is funded by Mayfield Fund, Trinity Ventures, Rustic Canyon
Partners and DCM. For more information visit http://www.playfirst.com and
http://www.dinerdash.com.
PlayFirst, Playground SDK, Diner Dash, Wedding Dash, Chocolatier, Dream
Chronicles, and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of
PlayFirst, Inc. PlayFirst, Diner Dash, and Chocolatier are registered in
the U.S.
* Playground SDK is subject to license agreement which contains
restrictions on use; use outside of the United States is subject to
compliance with applicable export control laws.
Developer Dash: PlayFirst may modify or cancel the program at its sole
discretion at any time. PlayFirst is not obligated to award any of the
$100,000; amount awarded depends on number and quality of prototypes
submitted. Details and requirements at https://developer.playfirst.com.
SOURCE PlayFirst, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.playfirst.com
http://www.dinerdash.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051004/SFTU029LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Kirem Marnett of PlayFirst, Inc.,
+1-415-874-2665, kirem@playfirst.com; Caitlin Davis of
Three-Forty Communications, +1-650-793-3374,
caitlin@three-forty.com, for PlayFirst, Inc.
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