Gaming the Java way

BANGALORE: Sun Microsystems India. and Paradox Studios, a subsidiary of Reliance Infocomm, have announced the initiation of 'Java Game Developers Challenge,' a wireless game developers contest in the country. The event aims to promote the adoption of J2ME amongst the gaming developer community.

The event is scheduled to kick off on April 4, 2005 across India. According to a press release, participants will have to develop a J2ME based game application, competing in the process for a host of special prizes sponsored by Paradox Studios, including a top prize of Rs 1.5 Lakh, along with a Java Library. Other prizes will include a second prize of Rs 75, 000 and a third prize of Rs 50, 000 with a selection from the Java library for both. A range of consolation prizes will also be up for grabs up to the value of Rs 1 lakh.

Top applications could also stand to win potential commercialization, with the developers being offered a placement at Paradox Studios.

Competitors will have to register online for the contest (www.j2mechallenge.com) and will be given a period of two months to develop a fully functional game code for Nokia Series 60 phones, using contest assets provided on the website. While the first level of screening will be undertaken by Paradox, the final evaluation will be undertaken by a panel of judges comprising of top industry heads and media personalities. The applications will be evaluated on factors such as originality & creativity in game design, innovation in technology and commercial viabilility of the game.

"The 'Java Game Developers Challenge' is an excellent platform for our young inventors to put their skills and creativity to the test, at the same time providing them with an environment to learn from the experts. With so many creative ideas on show, the experts and the industry can also learn and tap on them as there will be a number of talents and applications which may be of interest to telcos, device makers and others. Additionally, the contest would help provide the added impetus to the java developer community in the country," said Sun Microsystems, marketing director, K. P. Unnikrishnan.

"Paradox Studios strongly encourages activities such as the 'Java Game Developers Challenge' because capability development is essential to strengthen India's position as a leader in entertainment software development. This is one area where young people can plant the seeds of entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation and have fun doing so," said Paradox Studios CEO Salil Bhargava, CEO, Paradox Studios.

He added, "The Java environment is brilliant for providing stability and enabling people to have access from a multitude of devices, enabling developers to reach much larger audiences than ever before without having to port applications. There is an industry-wide movement toward Java technology-based application development and we believe that participants will immensely benefit from this event."