College students and indie video game developers wanting to put their ideas to the test will have the chance in a new statewide competition.

RIT's Center for Media Arts, Games, Interaction and Creativity (MAGIC), in partnership with New York University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is hosting a Game Development Challenge, the first for New York State. MAGIC announced the competition April 10 at RIT; submissions will be accepted April 3 through April 24.

A panel of judges will critique competitors — split into two categories, one for college students and one indie developers living in the state — on their idea pitch, a game prototype, business plan, mentorship plan, and development timeline. Each category will have up to three winners; prizes will include cash from a pool of $25,000 per category, eligibility for inclusion in an incubator, and access to mentor networks. Winners will be announced at The Strong National Museum of Play on May 8.

Recently, Empire State Development named RIT, NYU, and RPI as New York's three Digital Gaming Hubs. The goal is to spur the video-game industry's economic impact on the state.

More information: magic.rit.edu/nysgamechallenge.

CITY Calendar Editor Kurt Indovina is a member of the 10-person judging panel. He did not influence or contribute to this article.