2004 DARE AWARDS

PHOTO CALL

Embargoed: 00:01hrs Thursday 26th August 2004

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Industry leaders from across the UK will gather in Dundee today (Thursday 26th August), to witness budding new stars emerge from a unique games competition, based at the University of Abertay, as the winners of Dare to be Digital 2004 are announced at a special awards ceremony.

As part of the event, which takes place at Dundee Contemporary Arts, Minister for Finance Andy Kerr, will announce new Scottish Executive funding for further places at Dare to be Digital 2005. The new places will be open to international students and will provide an invaluable boost to this important competition, which offers unique opportunities to young games experts.

Over the last ten weeks the teams have been battling it out for a prize fund of £7000, as well as follow up-support to develop their prototype to commercial reality. The seven teams ââ'¬â€œ 27 in total entered this year ââ'¬â€œ to make it through, have to submit a concept for a new and original computer game or educational entertainment product, including a finished digital prototype and business sales document which can be pitched to investors.

Up for grabs are the three main prizes, each worth £2,000, for products with Greatest Market Potential, Greatest Innovation and Creativity and the Rare Prize for Technical Excellence. There is an additional prize of £1,000 for the Best Team Working Group. The 'Best Programmer', 'Best Artist' and 'Best Audio' will each receive an Xbox console, donated by Microsoft.

"The standard of work was unbelievably high," said Adrian Curry, Account Manager of Microsoft Xbox. "All the teams have shown real professionalism and commitment in developing these concepts in an extremely short period of time. Dare to be Digital not only provides the students with an invaluable and unique experience, but with out a doubt, provides the games industry with some of the best new talent around."

Due to Dare's rising profile in the industry and the high level of excellence generated over the last three years, the competition has received invaluable support from sponsors, Microsoft, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), BBC Scotland Interactive and NCR.

The Dare competition allows the teams to display their skills in front of some of the country's most influential games figures and is open to students across Scotland. This year, Dare welcomed students from Ireland, with a team from DCU and Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology, which made it through the Irish heat, co-ordinated by The Digital Hub in Dublin.

The judges, from across the industry, include: Jon Jordan, Technology Editor, Develop magazine; Adrian Curry, Account Manager, Microsoft Xbox; Mark Fenwick, Business Support Manager, NESTA; Chris Stamp, Producer, Real Time Worlds; Julie Adair, Head of BBC Scotland Interactive; Kieran Connell, Senior Software Engineer, Rare; Richard Leinfellner, Vice President, Executive in Charge of Production, Electronic Arts; Jim Woods, Executive Producer, Codemasters; Mark Grossi, Chief Technology Officer, NCR.

The range of projects being undertaken by students, includes - team working, multiplayer, traditional interactive, first person shooter, 3rd person puzzle based, narrative-led and first person - games.

Predicted as having "a major impact on the global games industry" by Electronic Art's, Richard Leinfellner, Dare to be Digital has seen five new companies spring from previous competing teams. Last year's winners, Demon Lore and Zoo Crew ââ'¬â€œ were hired on the spot by global games giants EA.

The teams have had access to the cutting edge facilities at Abertay University, which runs the competition in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Tayside and Dundee City Council. The students were paid on a weekly basis and supported by experienced industry specialists, who offer technical, creative and business advice ââ'¬â€œ mentors who are inaccessible to any student outside the Dare project.

"In the six years since the first Dare pilot was held at Abertay, we have seen the concept grow in leaps and bounds" said Professor Bernard King, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abertay Dundee. "Interest, from competitors, employers, and the industry as a whole, is increasing every year - while our recent competitions in Malaysia and Ireland have put the competition on a truly international footing. I'm delighted that this success has now been recognised with this support from the Scottish Executive, and I look forward to watching the DARE competition grow ever stronger in the years to come."

Dundee is one of the UK's most important games centres and is widely regarded as the home of the Scottish games industry, housing over half of the country's companies in the area. The number of people employed in computer games development companies in Scotland is around 500 people with a collective turnover of £20m. Dundee employs over a quarter of the related Scottish workforce.

Clive Palmer, Director of Business Growth at Scottish Enterprise Tayside, comments: "Tayside's games industry continues to thrive in a demanding and uncertain market, and the emergence of this fresh new industry talent, through Dare to be Digital, is an indication this trend is set to continue. This is an exciting day for both the industry and the rising stars it has attracted and SE Tayside is delighted to have supported Dare through funding since its inception. Dare to be Digital plays a leading role in supporting future talent for the digital and interactive industries and the digital economy is a key component of Scotland's future. We actively support efforts to ensure there is a skill-base to allow this valued industry to thrive."

Councillor Joe Morrow, Convener of Economic Development, Dundee City Council said, "The city council and its partners are working hard to ensure that the local computer games industry continues to grow and that Dundee's economy can continue to take advantage of these new opportunities. The individuals and teams involved have done a superb job and the Dare to Be Digital competition continues to raise the profile of the city as an international centre of excellence for digital media."

Amongst those attending the awards ceremony, will be Professor Bernard King, Principal and Vice Chancellor, University of Abertay Dundee; Amanda Boyle, Chairperson, Scottish Enterprise Tayside; Ken MacQuarrie, BBC Scotland Controller and Councillor Joe Morrow, Convenor of Economic Development, Dundee City Council.

Contact:

Dare to be Digital

Jackie Mckenzie,

Dare to be Digital Project Manager

T:01382 308920

E: j.mckenzie@abertay.ac.uk

Press

Stephanie Robertson

T: 01333 451 122

M: 07919 447 231

E: stephanie@crail.sol.co.uk

Notes To Editors:

• Dare to be Digital

The project is run and funded by partners the University of Abertay Dundee, Scottish Enterprise Tayside and Dundee City Council operating as 'Dare to Be Digital', a registered Scottish Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee with no share capital. In 2004 the Dare project was sponsored by Microsoft, NESTA, BBC Scotland Interactive and NCR. www.daretobedigital.com

• The University of Abertay Dundee

The University of Abertay Dundee Abertay was the first university in the world to run taught courses in games programming (BSc and MSc), and games creativity and artwork (BA). Students can study in Japan, America or in industry as part of their courses. Buoyed by the strength of the computer games industry, the courses attract some of the most-highly qualified students in the country, and have a 20% application acceptance rate. Abertay's best-known graduate in this field is David Jones, CEO of Real Time Worlds and creator via DMA of (Grand Theft Auto, Silicon Valley, Lemmings) based in Dundee. The University also works closely with Visual Sciences (F1'98), VIS entertainment (Earthworm Jim 3D, State of Emergency) and other members of the Scottish games community.

The School of Computing offers a wide range of leading degree courses including: the MSc in Computer Games technology; BSc (Hons) in Computer Games Technology, with options in Marketing and Japanese; and BA (Hons) in Computer Arts. The University has also established IC CAVE, Europe's first university research centre dedicated to computer games and virtual entertainment. Mobile and WAP technology is a key area of interest for IC CAVE, which works closely with the leading companies in the field, both mobile phone manufacturers and games/content providers.

Embreonix is the University of Abertay's graduate incubator programme, which has been established to support its students/graduates to establish commercial companies. The Embreonix programme currently has 2 incubators with a full support programme for young companies.

• BBC Scotland Interactive

BBC Scotland Interactive has been producing award-winning websites for six years. Covering all genres from sport to comedy, kids and education to history, the unit comprises over forty producers, designers, coders and developers. In the last few years, BBC Scotland Interactive has developed an expertise in online games development and production. The unit is also making moves into enhanced and interactive television. www.bbc.co.uk/scotland

• About Microsoft Game Studios

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Windows PC gaming, Xbox video game system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse game portfolios for the PC (http://www.microsoft.com/games/), including such franchises as "Age of Empires^®," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon"; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/), including such franchises as "Halo," "Project Gotham Racing^TM" and "NFL Fever"; and Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/), the official games channel for the MSN^® network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "OutSmart^TM."

• About Xbox

Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers never before seen gameplay experiences. With more than three times the graphics performance of other game consoles, top-quality DVD playback, Dolby 5.1 surround sound to make games and movies come alive, and a hard disc that opens up new kinds of gameplay, Xbox is the video game system that delivers more of what gamers want. Xbox is available Friday, 27th August in Europe for an estimated street price of €149.99/£99.99.

• Dundee City Council

Dundee City Council's Company Development and Inward Investment team provides local companies with a single point of access to a range of integrated services and business support. Working with local partners we provide access to local and national schemes of assistance, support to secure project funding, preparation of grant applications and also deliver a range of workshops and seminar programmes aimed for key industry sectors. Dundee is recognised as an international centre of excellence for digital media with a rapidly expanding cluster of businesses, organisations and individuals engaged in digital media and the creative industries. Continuous development of talent and skills is essential for the growth of the sector locally and "Dare to be Digital"' acts as a catalyst to bring together local universities, colleges of further education and local expertise to cultivate young talent. Dundee City Council recognises the importance of the digital media sector to the local economy and values the role that "Dare" plays in promoting local talent and capabilities. Dundee City Council will continue to work with partner organisations to provide support to the sector through projects such as "Dare" and through direct assistance to local companies.

For further information

Contact Tel: (01382) 434950

Fax: ( 01382) 434650

Email sharon.anderson@dundeecity.gov.uk

www. Locate-dundee.co.uk

• NCR

NCR Corporation is a leading global technology company helping businesses build stronger relationships with their customers. NCR's ATMs, retail systems, Teradata^® data warehouses and IT services provide Relationship Technology^TM solutions that maximize the value of customer interactions. Based in Dayton, Ohio, NCR (www.ncr.com) employs approximately 29,000 people worldwide.

• Scottish Enterprise Tayside

Scottish Enterprise is the main economic development agency for Scotland covering 93 per cent of the population from Grampian to the Borders. The Scottish Enterprise Network consists of Scottish Enterprise and 12 Local Enterprise Companies. Working in partnership with the private and public sectors the Network aims to build more and better businesses, to develop the skills and knowledge of Scottish people, and to encourage innovation to make Scottish business internationally competitive. Currently more than 100,000 people are employed in the Creative Industries in Scotland, which boasts an annual turnover of £5 billion. The scope of the sector includes computer games, radio and television, new media, film, music production, design, publishing, architecture, advertising, arts and cultural industries. Scottish Enterprise Tayside is investing £4 million over four years to grow and support the region's Creative Industries sector which employs over 1500 people in Tayside and boasts an annual turnover of over £100 million.

• NESTA

NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) was established by Act of Parliament in 1998 to pioneer ways of supporting and promoting talent, innovation and creativity in science, technology and the arts. NESTA's income initially came from the interest on an endowment of £200 million from National Lottery funds. In February 2003, NESTA received an additional £50 million bringing the endowment up to £250 million and an extra £45 million to use as revenue expenditure until 2006 (£15 million a year from 2003). NESTA plans to spend over £20 million a year on UK creativity and innovation. Since May 2000, NESTA has spent over £40 million on 423 awards. NESTA has a dedicated Media Room on its web site where news releases like this are easily available and where journalists can subscribe to receive any future releases. Other information, including high-resolution images to download and Press Office contact details, are also available at www.nesta.org.uk/mediaroom

• TIGA

TIGA is the trade association for 120 independent development studios in the UK. It was launched by Secretary of State at the DTI Patricia Hewitt in March 2001 and set up to represent the commercial and business interests of the sector. TIGA works with publishers to achieve better industry practices and communication, with financial institutions for investment in the sector, and lobbies government on behalf of the sector.