Square Enix setting up India base, hosting Game Development Contest

Square Enix has announced plans of an expansion and setting up a mobile and casual-game base in India. While a location of an office hasn’t been decided yet, the company is looking to unearth talented Indian developers with a Game Development Contest and help nuture the talent, hoping to work with them in the future.

“We’ve found that in several countries around the world, such as Japan, America and China, the most popular games have been those that have been developed within that country, and we expect the same to be the case for India. Our primary aim is to work with talented Indian developers, nurture that talent, and bring their games to a global audience, and this contest is the first step towards achieving this,” said Square Enix’s honorary chairman Yasuhiro Fukushima.

The Japanese Game Publisher and distribution company, well known for it’s Final Fantasy series has mentioned rewards for a total of 8 games that will make it to the finals. All Entries are to be judged by a panel from Square Enix who will decide the final 8 on 30th November, 2012. All of these 8 games will be made available on the respective app stores where public votes and internal judging will pick winners.

Winners are to be announced on 20th December, 2012.

Rewards

• One game receives the Grand Prize of Rs. 10 Lakh.
• Two games will receive an Excellence Award of Rs. 3 Lakh.
• Five games get a Runner-Up award of Rs. 1.5 Lakh.

In addition to these rewards, Square Enix will also offer an opportunity to winners and other talented participants, a chance to work as Development Partners of Square Enix for IP Development if a mutual agreement can be reached.

Contest Criteria

• The contest is open to developers adept at building games for Android 2.2 or above, iOS 4 and above, Windows Phone 7.1 and PC (Browser-based) platforms.
• All submissions must be in English and are to be made via the Game Development Contest India 2010 website that is soon to be launched between 1st and 30th September 2012.
• The Development team must have at least one member residing in India.
• Games are to be targeted at the Indian audience and contestants are free to create games from any genre based on any theme.
• All submissions must not have been published previously.

Match Making - Square Enix is also going to implement a match making system for teams lacking in certain expertise. Contestants can search for and find other contestants via the website.

The Game Development Contest India 2012 website is scheduled to open soon for all submissions. Stay connected for more.

UPDATE: The Contest Website is now Live.

In other important news, Square Enix is looking for staff  for it’s Indian Subsidary. They’ve posted a job listing.

Responsibilities include

• Survey and investigation of the local marketplace
• Preparation for formation of a local subsidiary (possibly including selection of partner companies)
• Start up of local subsidiary
• Participation in management following startup

It is also required that you’re able to speak native level Hindi and conversational level Japanese and English; with a desire to develop a new market.

Thanks, IVG, Andriasang