Submission Form | POTIONS & PIXELS One Button Contest
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Introduction
Welcome to the POTIONS & PIXELS One Button Contest submission form! We are thrilled to have you participate in this exciting challenge. Before you begin your project, we strongly encourage you to review this form in its entirety to ensure you understand all requirements, guidelines, and expectations. Whether you’re submitting as an individual or as part of a team, please make sure to fill out all the required sections.

Please contact POTIONS & PIXELS Founder + Executive Director, Michael Zytkow, with any questions or feedback: michael.zytkow@potionsandpixels.com
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Contest Overview
Are you ready to push the limits of creativity with just one button? Game developers of ALL skill levels are invited to create an engaging and innovative video game using only a single button as the player's input. Whether it’s a platformer, puzzle, or something entirely out-of-the-box, the possibilities are endless. Flex your creative muscles, build your skills, network with others, and compete for recognition and prize money in this exciting challenge. Let your creativity shine, all with just one button!
Submission Deadline: 11:59 pm October 25, 2024
To complete your submission: 
  1. Submit this application.
  2. Submit your entry fee.
  3. Upload your game onto itch.io [WEBSITE WILL BE POSTED SOON]
General Contest Details

Prizes:

We’re excited to offer a total prize pool of $1,300:
  • 1st Place: $650
  • 2nd Place: $350
  • 3rd Place: $150
  • 4th Place: $100
  • 5th Place: $50

Voting / Judging:
The winners will be determined by a public vote utilizing ranked choice voting. The voting period will open after we receive and organize all the submissions.

Voters will rank their top five favorite entries from first to fifth place, ensuring a broad community support for each winner. To promote fairness and informed voting, players are required to play multiple games before casting their votes, ensuring they experience and evaluate a variety of entries. If your top choice cannot win, your vote automatically transfers to your next preferred option. This process continues until the top five winners are determined, with each winner requiring majority support. This method respects voter intent and ensures that each winner is strongly supported by the community.

Entry Fee:
The entry fee is $25. However, if this presents a financial hardship, you can opt to pay between $5 and $24 instead. For those who are able and willing to contribute more than $25 to support the contest, there’s an option to do so. All fees collected go directly into the prize pool and help support this series of contests. Payment currently must be made through PayPal although we are exploring additional payments platforms.

Geographic Eligibility:
Participation is limited to residents of the greater Charlotte metropolitan area. The included counties are listed below. You’ll be required to provide your zip code and the county where you reside.
We’ve chosen to limit eligibility to residents of 16 counties within the greater Charlotte metropolitan area. These counties reflect the broadest definition of the Charlotte region, encompassing communities that are closely tied to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of the city. This ensures that our contest reflects the interests and preferences of those who live and engage with the Charlotte area most directly.

Age Restrictions and Parental Consent:
There are no formal age restrictions for participating in this contest. However, participants under the age of 18 must have parental or guardian consent to enter. If a minor wins a prize, the prize will be awarded to their parent or guardian on their behalf. By participating, minors affirm that they have obtained permission from their parent or guardian.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to review the content before allowing minors to participate. This ensures that all participants engage in the contest safely and appropriately.

Submitting as a Team:
If you are submitting as part of a team, each team member must individually submit the form, but only one entry fee is required per game submission.

Please ensure that you list the names and roles/credits of each team member in the appropriate section.

Multiple Submissions Allowed:
You are welcome to submit as many games as you like. Please note that each submission requires a new submission form and entry fee.

Intellectual Property:

You retain full ownership of your game submission.

By submitting your project, you affirm that this is original work created specifically for this contest. You may reuse elements of your previous creations as long as the end result is something novel for this contest. AI-generated content is allowed as long as it is fully acknowledged. You are permitted to use third-party assets, such as music, graphics, or code, provided they are copyright-free, in the public domain, or licensed under Creative Commons. You must acknowledge and provide appropriate credit for any third-party assets you use, including details of their source and licensing.

POTIONS & PIXELS Acknowledgment:
By participating in this contest, you grant POTIONS & PIXELS the right to showcase and highlight your project at events, in our exhibits (including on our ArtCade machines), online, in print, and in any other forms of media. If your project continues to grow after this contest, you agree to acknowledge the role POTIONS & PIXELS played in its development. This acknowledgment will be included on the box, in the manual, or in another appropriate place, highlighting the connection to the nonprofit's work in helping grow the game industry. Additionally, POTIONS & PIXELS retains the right to reproduce images, video, and content from your project in various forms, such as booklets, merchandise, or for fundraising purposes. For example, we are exploring the creation of summary books featuring all the projects in the contest series.

Code of Conduct:
Participants are expected to uphold a high standard of respect, fairness, and integrity throughout the contest. Any abusive or inappropriate behavior, as well as attempts to manipulate or tamper with the submission process, will result in disqualification and may lead to legal action.
Game Requirements
  • Your video game submission must be playable using only one button as the player's input. This can be any button, though the spacebar is likely the most practical choice.
  • If you are creating a multiplayer game, each player is allowed to use one unique button.
  • Your submission must be uploaded to itch.io to our contest page which will be uploaded soon.
Grant Acknowledgment

This project is supported by the Infusion Fund, a partnership between the City of Charlotte, Foundation For The Carolinas, and generous donors to support the arts and cultural sector.

POTIONS & PIXELS NONPROFIT would like to thank the Infusion Fund for supporting our effort to grow the game industry in Charlotte.

Personal Information

First Name

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Middle Name

Last Name

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Phone Number

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Can you receive text messages at this number?

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Participation Eligibility
Which county in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area do you live in?
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Eligibility is limited to residents of 16 counties within the greater Charlotte metropolitan area. These counties reflect the broadest definition of the Charlotte region, encompassing communities that are closely tied to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of the city. This ensures that our contest reflects the interests and preferences of those who live and engage with the Charlotte area most directly.
What is your zip code?
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What is your age?
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Are you at least 18 years old, or do you have the consent of your parent/guardian to participate?
 *

There are no formal age restrictions for participating in this contest. However, participants under the age of 18 must have parental or guardian consent to enter. If a minor wins a prize, the prize will be awarded to their parent or guardian on their behalf. By participating, minors affirm that they have obtained permission from their parent or guardian.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to review the content before allowing minors to participate. This ensures that all participants engage in the contest safely and appropriately.

Demographic Information
As part of our commitment to inclusivity and better serving our community, we are collecting demographic information. This data will help us understand the diversity of our participants, tailor our programming to meet community needs, and support our grant reporting and applications to secure funding for future programs. We appreciate your willingness to share this information with us.  
What is your gender identity?
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Note: When giving respondents a choice to answer with their own words, Google Forms uses the "other" option. We cannot edit this wording to say "self-describe."
What is your Race/Ethnicity? (Please select all that apply)

Note: When giving respondents a choice to answer with their own words, Google Forms uses the "other" option. We cannot edit this wording to say "self-describe."   
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Media Consent

I acknowledge that by participating in this contest, I agree that my image, project, and interviews may be photographed and recorded, and featured in print, on websites, and across other forms of media. I understand that POTIONS & PIXELS will highlight and tag the winners through our media platforms using the information provided. Additionally, I agree that our partners, including the Infusion Fund, may also share and promote this content across their platforms. This acknowledgment covers all forms of media, including online and print.

Please confirm that you agree to these terms.

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Required

Links and Social Media:
Please provide the appropriate links and social media profiles that you would like to be associated with your submission. This could include your studio page, development-related profiles, or other relevant accounts. Be sure these are the accounts you would like to be tagged in for any promotion of your work.

Website
Instagram Profile Link
Instagram Handle
Example: @PotionAndPixels
X/Twitter Profile Link
X/Twitter Handle
Example: @PotionsPixels
Facebook Profile Link
Facebook Handle
Example: @PotionsAndPixels
Any other links you’d like to provide
Project Information
What is the title of your game? *
Please provide a short description of your game. *
This is meant to be a shote one-line description.
Please provide a more detailed description of your game. *
Describe the game you’re creating and how you’ve designed it to function with only one button.
Please send at least 1-5 photos of your game  to michael.zytkow@potionsandpixels.com. We will use these on the voting ballot.
Development Tools:
What tools or software are you using to develop your game? (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine, GameMaker, etc.)
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Credits

Please list the role of each person involved in this project.
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AI-Generated Content:
AI-generated content is allowed in your project as long as it is fully acknowledged.

Did you use any AI-generated content in your project?
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If so, please provide an overview about what content was generated using AI.
Third-Party Assets:
You are permitted to use third-party assets, such as music, graphics, or code, provided they are copyright-free, in the public domain, or licensed under Creative Commons. You must acknowledge and provide appropriate credit for any third-party assets you use, including details of their source and licensing.

Did you use any  third-party assets in your project?
 *
If so, please acknowledge and provide appropriate credit for any third-party assets you use, including details of their source and licensing.
Intellectual Property Acknowledgment

I understand that I retain full ownership of my game submission. I acknowledge that I am creating and submitting original work specifically for this contest. By participating in this contest, I grant POTIONS & PIXELS the right to showcase and highlight my project at events, in exhibits (including on ArtCade machines), online, in print, and in any other forms of media.

If my project continues to grow after this contest, I agree to acknowledge the role POTIONS & PIXELS played in its development. This acknowledgment will be included on the box, in the manual, or in another appropriate place, highlighting the connection to the nonprofit work of POTIONS & PIXELS in helping grow the game industry.

I understand that POTIONS & PIXELS retains the right to reproduce images, video, and content from my project in various forms, including physical media (such as booklets, and merchandise), and for fundraising purposes. For example, they are exploring the creation of summary booklets featuring all the projects in the contest series.

Please confirm that you agree to these terms.
 *
Required
Entry Fee
The entry fee is $25. However, if this presents a financial hardship, you can opt to pay between $5 and $24 instead. For those who are able and willing to contribute more than $25 to support the contest, there’s an option to do so.

All fees collected go directly into the prize pool and help support this series of contests. This fee is strictly for participation in the contest and not in exchange for goods or services, and is therefore not taxed.

You can send the payment through PayPal. We are exploring additional payments platforms. Make sure to follow the insturction below.

PayPal
  1. Please use the following link to send your payment: https://paypal.me/PotionsAndPixels
  2. Click "Send"
  3. Enter $25 (Or $5 and $24 if you select the financial assistance option below)
  4. In the "What's this for" field, please include the following: [Full Name], [Game Submission Name], POTIONS & PIXELS One Button Contest.
  5. Click "Send" to send your payment.
Tax and Payment Information
  • IRS Form W-9 Requirement:
    • Winners of the prizes will be required to fill out and provide an IRS Form W-9 for tax purposes. This form must be collected and validated before issuing any prize money to ensure compliance with tax reporting requirements.

  • Taxable Income:
    Prize money is considered taxable income, and winners will be responsible for reporting it on their tax returns. If the participant has earned $600 or more in prize money from our contests during the year, we will issue you a 1099-MISC form by January 31st of the following year. You’ll need to file the 1099-MISC form with the IRS when filing your taxes.

  • Team Submissions:
    For team submissions, POTIONS & PIXELS will award the prize money to one designated account. It is the responsibility of the team to decide which account will receive the payment and to distribute the funds among team members as they see fit.

Confirm your Entry Fee Payment

Submitting as a Team:
If you are submitting as part of a team, each team member must individually submit the form, but only one entry fee is required per game submission.

Multiple Submissions Allowed:
You are welcome to submit as many games as you like. Please note that each submission requires a new submission form and entry fee.

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Confirmation
Do you confirm that you have read and agree to the contest rules?  
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Required
If submitting as part of a team, do you confirm that all team members are submitting this form, and do you understand that only one entry fee is required per project submission?
*
Required
Do you have any suggestions for future contest? (OPTIONAL)
POTIONS & PIXELS

POTIONS & PIXELS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Charlotte,  that creates and utilizes games, art, and technology for social impact. With a focus on community engagement, education, and addressing local challenges, we have developed innovative programs that resonate with a wide audience. Over the years, we've collaborated with organizations such as Lowe’s, the Levine Museum of the New South, and the City of Charlotte to create nine custom games and apps tailored to community needs.

In addition to our development work, we have hosted over 720 events, ranging from gaming tournaments to educational workshops, and led workforce development programs that equip participants with valuable skills for the future. We are also passionate about blending art and technology, which is evident in our creation of indie ArtCade machines—interactive installations where creativity and gaming converge.

At POTIONS & PIXELS, we strive to build inviting spaces that foster connection and creativity, ensuring that our work makes a meaningful impact on the community.Untitled Title
Please FOLLOW us on social media, and don't forget to join our Discord and Meetup Group!
Can you help us? (Check all that apply).
Please note: Your answer to this question, does not affect you submission in any way.

What's the best way to keep up with our upcoming events, programs and contests that you can participate in?

Join our Newsletter!

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Please note: Your answer to this question, does not affect you submission in any way.
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