FAQs

Can I submit a game as a team?

Yes. You can submit a game in a team of up to three people.

If you’re in different age categories, then you should usually submit in the age category of the oldest team member. However, there will be a space on the form where you can tell us the ages of all the team members and if there’s a reason to move age categories then we can do that for you.

How many game designs can I submit?

You may submit one game design as an individual, AND one game design as part of a team. That means that yes, you could submit TWO game designs overall.

Is there a theme?

No, you don’t need to design a game with a specific theme. However, if you wanted a prompt to start you off, here are some ideas:

You are a little robot discovering exciting new objects
All the players are on different ships (or different mountain top, or just different rooms) and can’t talk to each other
Each player has a different number of dice, which they can win or lose
You need to build the board by using different playing cards

Do I need to pay anything to enter?

No. Entering is completely free.

Is there a prize?

The 15 finalists will each get a pin badge. There is no prize money. We might arrange for some games as prizes. (The real prize is that your game will be shown to game designers who work in the games world.)

Do I need to make my game in order to show it to you?

For this first stage you only need something you can film for your video. You might have cards which are simply bits of paper, or a board which is a sheet of A4 with buttons as the player pieces. It does not need perfect artwork. It just needs to be enough so we can see how the game works.

If you are lucky enough to be chosen as one of the finalists, we will ask you to send us your game. It still doesn’t need to be a fancy copy, but just enough so that we can work out how to play.

How much help should my grown up give me?

The idea should be yours. However, good games are created by talking about them with other people. If the ideas are yours, and the way the game works comes from you, then it’s your game design.

You might have help making a video, writing up the rules (perhaps someone else should proof read your rules?) or making a prototype. If you are 7 then we expect that you will have had more help than if you are 15.

I’m an adult. Can I organise game jams or other events?

Yes, please do! We don’t mind if the initial game idea comes from a lesson at school, or from a conversation at scouts/brownies/guides, or from a game jam in the local library. Please do organise events. If you’d like worksheets or other materials then email info@dissentgames.com.

I’m a judge. Can my child submit a game?

Yes, it is fine for you to be a judge and for your child to enter the contest. Let us know, and we will make sure that you don’t judge your own child’s game.

What sort of information do you keep on the children?

All contact will be through the child’s responsible adult (usually a parent or guardian). We will send you (the adult) emails to pass on to the child and if the child is chosen as one of our finalists we will ask you to post a prototype to us.

We will ask you to tell us the child’s name and age, and which part of the UK they are from. That is all the information we will know about them. The main organiser will know all the names and ages of the children submitting designs, but the rest of the judges will only know the ages of the children. The games will be known by the game name the child chose for their design.

We ask you to provide a video of the game design. It is your choice whether this video features the voice of the child or the voice of the responsible adult or both. We will ask you, as the responsible adult, to sign off the video and confirm that you are happy for the organiser and the judges to see it.

The main organiser, Jess from Dissent Games, has an advanced DBS check (disclosure barring system check) in order to run workshops in schools on behalf of Dissent Games. This is the only person who will have access to your child’s name, unless you choose to put that information in the video.