Rules
New Talent categories
1. General
1. Swedish Game Awards (SGA) reserves the right to decide whether an entry may compete or not.
2. The submissions have to be uploaded at 11:59 PM Swedish time (UTC +01:00) on the date of the deadline. Entries submitted later than this may be ignored.
3. Entries and participants submitting a game in the New Talent category may not be currently associated with or sponsored by, a company in the games or entertainment industry. An entry that violates this rule will be disqualified. However, it is allowed to start a company associated with the entry. The rationale behind this rule is that this is to be kept a student-oriented category.
4. The entries in the New Talent categories must not have been published by a publisher. Releasing the game independently is allowed.
5. A playable demo – not necessarily a completed game – must be submitted by each team by the competition's deadline. This submission is referred to as the final entry. Additionally, each team is required to submit at least three (3) in-game screenshots, a game-play video or a trailer, and a 150-word description of the game.
6. Partners to SGA are not liable for lawsuits from participants of the competition regarding game ideas or likenesses to their own products, current or future.
7. Award nominees and winners are selected by the competition’s jury, and its decision cannot be appealed.
8. If a team plans an ambitious entry that does not completely follow the rules above they may contact SGA with a rules exception request. More specific demands that affect the final entry may be announced during the course of the competition.
9. Teams may submit multiple game entries. This also means individuals may participate in multiple teams and entries during the same competition run.
2. Technology
1. Entries must run on PC, Console, Handheld Console, Mobile or VR. PC entries must run on one of the following operating systems: Windows 7, 8, or 10, Linux (the latest stable build of Ubuntu), or OS X (as a Universal binary). Emulators are permitted. The entries may use special hardware such as gamepads or homemade input devices, but they must be provided to SGA prior to the jury weekend in order for the jury to be able to do their job. They will be returned shortly after. Should your game need a gamepad or such, please contact one of the organizers.
2. Entries targeting the mobile platform must run on one of the following platforms: Windows Phone, Iphone/Ipad, or Android. The entry must be a native application. SDK emulators are also allowed.
3. Entries are allowed to use existing technology (such as libraries, game engines, game makers, etc.) and existing media (such as images, 3D models, sound effects, etc.) However, teams must have the right to use the technology, media, and trademarks, as well as the right to submit the final entry to SGA for judgment, i.e. respect copyrights and any applicable license agreements. This also means that modifications of existing games (“mods”) are allowed.
3. Participants
1. SGA aims to promote ambitious individuals, looking to break into the Swedish game and/or entertainment industry. Therefore at least 50% of the team participating cannot be currently or previously employed by a company within these branches.
FAQ
Do we need to provide you with PC/ Xbox controls etc.?
Unless your game has alt-controls, you do not have to provide us with controllers or any extra material for the testing, as we will have most things on site. In case we need to use any out of the ordinary gears, please note this in your submission.
Do I have to send an .Exe if it's a mobile, arcade, or self-published game, can't I just send the store page link or bring it to the testing site?
This is acceptable, but we recommend sending a PC/exe version as well. So if there are any problems, we have an extra backup. Just make sure to add a comment or a Read-Me in your zip file with the trailer, screenshots, etc., so we don't miss it.
AT THE SGA SHOWCASE, What materials are available on-site and what are the exhibitors expected to assist with?
Exhibitors are expected to bring their own computers and the technology necessary to show off the game. Max two computers per game. If you have trouble getting external screens, SGA may help with that.
when submitting to the new talent categories, What if my game project had a previous Kickstarter campaign?
It's ok to apply, as long as the game was self-published, and has not gotten any funding/been published by an established investor/ publisher.
Is there a guaranteed place at the award show if you have been nominated or do you have to buy a ticket in advance?
Each Nominated team gets a number of free tickets depending on the yearly budget. We will prioritize tickets for everyone in the teams nominated. Remaining friends & family are welcome to join by purchasing a ticket, within the limits of the venue.
What games are included in the nomination pool?
In the student/new talent categories, the games included in the nomination pool are the ones that have applied the same year. In the professional categories, we look at games released in the past 12 months.