Think Services' Dr. Dobb's Journal Announces Winners of the Dobbs Challenge Game Competition

SAN FRANCISCO, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Think Services' Dr. Dobb's Journal, in association with Microsoft Visual Studio, today announced the winners of the Dobbs Challenge (http://www.dobbschallenge.com), a game modding competition geared towards software developers.

Contestants downloaded a specially created "Dr. Dobb's Challenge" game for either Windows or Windows Mobile, and modified it using Visual Studio 2008. Participants were encouraged to make creative, innovative new games by altering the mechanics, adding new levels, and even changing the entire game genre. Full source code and art for the games were freely provided. According to Dr. Dobb's publisher Simon Carless, "We're delighted to see the results of Dr. Dobb's Challenge, and the countless hours spent on the coding and creation of these excellent games. The results of the Challenge reaffirm how innovative the professional software development community is."

The winners of the Dobbs Challenge are:

1) Best Windows Game -- "Mr. Spiff's Revenge" by POW Studios: $4,000

The biggest prize went to this clever, innovative modification of the Dr. Dobb's Challenge source -- the entire game is played using mouse gestures and features excellent new graphics.

2) Best Windows Mobile Game -- "Dr. Dobbs Challenge Mobile" by Daniel Morillo: $2,000

Morillo cleverly used existing assets in his isometric puzzle game that required manipulation of 3D blocks.

3) Best Total Conversion -- "Ninja Run" by Giuseppe Navarria and Rosario Milone: $1,000

This is a cel-shaded 3D platform game with working physics created from a 2D single screen platformer.

4) Best Game Starring Dr. Dobb's And The Defy All Challenges Crew -- "Dr. Dobb's Challenge Remix" by Georg Rottensteiner: $1,000

True to it's name, this "Remix" is a full-scrolling 2D platformer with a completely new setting, story and design.

5) Best One Button Game -- "Wobble Bob" by Lukasz Lesicki: $1,000

Featuring a character that "wobbles" backwards and forwards, this game allows for movement in two directions with a subtle, timing-based gameplay.

6)First Month Challenge -- "Dobbs Derby" by Punkle: $1,000

Rewarded for a quick one-month turn around, Punkle submitted a total conversion of the Dr. Dobb's Challenge; a one button slot car racer with unique game design and new graphics.

Over four million lines of code were submitted and 6,000 new art/music assets were produced. 32 games were submitted by participants of all ages -- the youngest being 10-year-old Chase Lathrop. The winning games are now available for download and review at http://www.dobbschallenge.com.

For further information regarding Dobbs Challenge, please contact Simon Carless at scarless@think-services.com, 415.947.6145.

About Dr. Dobb's (http://www.ddj.com) Dr. Dobb's is recognized worldwide as the leading resource for the professional software development community. With an award-winning monthly publication (Dr. Dobb's Journal), worldwide technical events and conferences (Dr. Dobb's Events) and one of the web's most comprehensive sites (Dr. Dobb's Portal), Dr. Dobb's attracts the industry's most authoritative audience of professional developers, architects and managers and provides marketing partners highly actionable integrated marketing solutions to reach the software development buying team.

About Think Services (http://www.think-services.com)

Think Services connects specialized communities worldwide using innovative media, educational events, consulting, training and certification. Providing comprehensive opportunities for people to learn from, network with, and inspire each other, Think Services builds strong brands and works within communities to foster a unique affinity with its products and services. The division's flagship products include the Game Developers Conference, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, Game Developer magazine, the International Customer Management Institute, HDI, and Dr. Dobb's Journal. Think Services is a subsidiary of United Business Media, a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion. To learn more, visit http://www.think-services.com.

     Contact:
     Karen Tom
     Services Marketing Director
     415.947.6192
     ktom@think-services.com

SOURCE Dr. Dobb's Journal; Think Services; United Business Media

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