Challenge 1: Game Development Mastery
⏱️ ~20 min
This is your first step on your journey to making a game. The better the idea now, the easier and more exciting it will be to work on later!
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Why do this?
- Win rewards 🟡 on The NotWork by climbing the leaderboard.
- Qualify for States 🏆…this pitch starts your journey!
- Learn real skills 🧠 used in game studios: pitching ideas & thinking like a designer.
- Build your portfolio for college, internships, and resumes with a game concept.
- Join the community of other aspiring game creators.
Overview
Your mission: create a game idea that fits the theme “No Brakes.”
Be creative, clear, and connected to the theme. Tell us what the game is, why it’s fun, and what inspired it. You don’t need to know how to code—just sell the vision like you’re at E3 with a mic and way too much caffeine.
What to Do (3 Steps)
1
Lock in the theme
- Your idea must clearly connect to “No Brakes.”
- Think beyond cars: emotions that can't be stopped, time that never pauses, characters who can’t stop moving… get metaphorical!
2
Write your pitch (2–5 paragraphs)
- Use clear paragraph breaks, full sentences, and check grammar/spelling. This is a pitch, not a text thread.
💡 Tip: Pretend a producer is skimming your idea between meetings.
3
What to Include
- Short description of the concept.
- Gameplay mechanics: What do players actually do?
- The rules/systems that make “No Brakes” happen (e.g., momentum that can’t stop, time pressure, auto-run + choices).
- The style or tone (visual aesthetic, music, vibes). What it feels like.
- Games/movies/books/memes that influenced you.
Pro Tips
- Momentum-friendly genres: rhythm, racing, endless runner, roguelike.
- Try an emotional take on “no brakes” (friendship escalating, character spiraling, time races).
- Use simple language. If your friend “gets it” in 30 seconds, you’re golden.
Scoring (Total: 125 pts)
Creativity
Highly original, surprising, and inventive. Introduces a fresh concept or mechanic.
35 pts
Conformity to Theme
“No Brakes” is deeply integrated as a core mechanic or narrative driver.
40 pts
Clarity of Inspiration & Reasoning
Explains the “why” behind choices; connections are insightful and well-supported.
50 pts
Heads up: Once you submit, you can’t edit your entry until it’s been scored.
