Thanks to everyone who entered Project Joystick. The huge response and high quality of the entries made it a tough task for the judges.
The judging panel represented all areas with a major interest in the advancement of the Australian Games Industry: Corporate, Government, Cultural, Academia, Media and Development.
Each entry was assessed against the same key criteria through each phase of the judging process. The judges awarded points based on the details of the submission as well as the creativity, innovation and commercial viability of the concept. We are now proud to announce the winners...
Overall Project Joystick Winner - Sherele Moody
Winner - Primary School - Liam Cavanagh-Downs
Winner - Secondary School - Toby Venus
Winner - Open - Sherele Moody
The Overall Winner Sherele Moody will work with leading Australian games developer Firemint to develop her winning idea into a brilliant new game for exclusive release by BigPond Games for us all to play early next year. Official press release follows:
2 October 2007, DUNG BEETLE GAME WINS PROJECT JOYSTICK
BigPond today announced the creator of a digital game idea about dung beetles, Sherele Moody of Victoria, as the winner of Project Joystick - the million dollar hunt for the next big digital game idea.
Launched by BigPond in association with the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in July, Project Joystick received almost two thousand entries from people eager to see their digital game concept become the next big mobile and online game.
The competition judges were impressed with 33-year-old Sherele’s innovative game idea about a Dung Beetle called Dudley who embarks on a quest to navigate his way through the world while protecting his ever-growing ball of dung.
Announcing the winner at ACMI in Melbourne BigPond's Director of Media, Bill Burton, said the flood of entries showed how excited Australians are about digital games and Sherele’s entry really stood out for its creativity.
“Project Joystick was the first competition of its kind in the games world and we were thrilled with the hugely enthusiastic response. People really heeded the call to ignite their imaginations and set their ideas free, resulting in a fantastic standard of entries,” Mr Burton said.
“Choosing the winner was no easy task. The judges, who were drawn from a range of industries, were looking for something really inspirational.
“In the end, they unanimously agreed that Sherele’s entry was a standout! Her winning concept really blows up the image of the games industry being dominated by 17-year-old boys wanting to blow things up.
“I’d like to congratulate her on this success and wish her well as she now works with us to see the game become a reality,” said Mr Burton.
Accepting her prize, Sherele, who is from Warrnambool, said: “A huge thanks to BigPond, ACMI and Firemint for the opportunity to make an impact on Australia's games landscape. This is the coolest competition and it's absolutely wicked to have had my game concept chosen. I'm looking forward to seeing the game come to life.”
Firemint, Australia’s premier game developer, will produce the game.
Firemint's CEO Rob Murray said: “We’re thrilled to be part of this innovative competition and excited to be working with Sherele to bring her game idea to life.”
Sherele will receive a tailored package including a HP Pavilion Elite PC, BigPond High-Speed Broadband for 12 months, a Next GTM mobile handset with a 12 month account, BigPond entertainment vouchers and an ACMI Prize Pack. She will also receive a credit on the game, publicity and industry experience developing the game.
