Prizes:
We’re excited to offer a total prize pool of $1,300:Voting / Judging:
The winners will be determined by a public vote utilizing ranked choice voting. We will host two in-person events for people to come play and vote on the games.
Voters will rank their top favorite entries, 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.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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 TitleWhat's the best way to keep up with our upcoming events, programs and contests that you can participate in?
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