Atari Pong Indie Developer Challenge Semifinalists Nerd Age

There has never been a better time to be an indie developer. Atari has announced that they have chosen 15 finalists for their indie developer challenge. However they are doing their contest a bit differently. The games must be based on pong.

The Atari Pong Indie Developer Challenge

Tons of developers submitted their games to this challenge. The rewards are very significant indeed, so they had good reason. 10 finalists get to have their game published by Atari with all the various support that entails. Winners will receive anywhere from $50,000 USD for first place on down to $5,000 for runner-ups.

Once Again a Mobile Challenge

The Atari Pong Indie Developer Challenge is focused on mobile devices. Is the fact that all these contests are for mobile developers good or bad? You tell us. Our personal opinion is that mobile gaming isn’t inherently good or bad, it just is. There are those who make terrible games to cash in on it. There are also those who mean well and do their best.

The Fine Print of Any Such Challenge

As a developer, you have to be wary of what happens with contests such as this. Many big companies will give you significant support. However they will also want most of the profits and probably much of the intellectual property. In a day and age where self-publishing is easier than ever you have to make your own path. However this may be right for you if making the game is enough. The Atari challenge and others like it will easily give you a way to get your game to the public.

What if the Atari Challenge is Right for me?

It is sadly too late to get in on this particular contest. But feel free to check out their site. Contests like this fortunately happen all the time. So your lucky break may be just around the corner from a publisher of any kind.

The Semifinalists Themselves

Of course we have to tell you the actual Atari Semifinalists. In no particular order, here they are:

• Marc Goudet
• Pegpeg
• Delusions
• Rafael Santillana
• MadRuse Games
• zGames
• WorldHiveBrain
• Spantom Games
• Love at First Eye
• Philosophy Major Studios
• Caldera Studios
• Kaazing
• Island Officials
• Andrew Sipotz
• Fishbowl Productions, Inc.
• Eppy Games
• Producto Studios
• Autonomous Productions
• SmugBee Games
• Meteo Studios

We want to give a big hand to these semifinalists. And to our readers, remember that one day the Atari challenge winner can be you.