This year, the 165 participating students were sitting comfy cozy behind their monitors at home and hopefully getting excited as they learned all the details about the 11th edition of the Game Lab Competition.
Jury President Marie-Ève Danis, producer on For Honor, spoke to the 21 teams from 11 universities across Quebec to unveil this year’s theme: APART // TOGETHER.
“This year’s theme is self-evident. We were inspired by what we’ve been experiencing everywhere in the world. For many, the pandemic was an opportunity to explore new playgrounds like video games. You probably know people who’ve never touched a console in their lives but who, after a few months of lockdown, have thrown themselves into this universe to get closer to their friends and family virtually. The committee and I want to see what the teams can come up with by sticking to this new reality. They’ll be free to interpret the theme however they want. And we can’t wait to see where it takes them.”
In addition to the theme, throughout the creation and production process, the teams must also keep a strong mission in mind, with criteria defined by the Competition comittee. At the end of the ten weeks allotted to them, they’ll have to present a playable prototype to the jury. No small feat! They’ve already impressed us by getting involved in such an ambitious project. Luckily, they won’t be alone: each team can count on 2 mentors from Ubisoft’s Quebec studios for support.
This annual challenge is part of Ubisoft’s Education program which strives to prepare Quebec’s next generation for jobs of the future. Winners will be announced at the gala at the end of April. Eight prizes and $22,000 in scholarships will be awarded to deserving teams. Ubisoft is committed to offering internships and/or jobs to at least 10 participants who stand out during the competition.
Good luck, everyone!
