Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is excited to announce the Make It in Brooklyn Diversity in Game Design Pitch Contest, aimed at encouraging diverse voices to join the game design industry. We are seeking startups led by individuals and teams from communities traditionally underrepresented in the game design field. If you have a passion for developing innovative experiences and are focused on the technical, engineering, and scientific aspects of game design and simulations, we want to hear from you!

The five selected founders will pitch their ideas for the chance to win $5,000 cash, no strings attached, and the winner will be expedited to the final round of in-person interviews to secure a spot in the inaugural NYU Tandon School of Engineering Game Design Future Lab (GDFL) class.

The GDFL – a joint initiative between NYU Tandon and the New York City Economic Development Corporation – has been established to be New York City’s hub for digital game development and production. This new incubator taps into New York City’s growing digital game development industry and aims to enable developer growth and success through personalized and strategic mentorship, industry-specific and fundamental business workshops, investor outreach, access to new technologies, and network building.

APPLY HERE

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for diverse, dynamic teams working on the next generation of game technologies and experiences. Your project should emphasize technical innovation and have the potential to push the boundaries of what games can do. This includes, but is not limited to, areas such as:

  • User Interface Innovation: Cutting-edge designs like sensor-based tracking, multi-touch interfaces, or new ways of interacting with virtual environments
  • Network & Video Quality Research: Exploring advancements in online multiplayer infrastructure, streaming technology, and video quality to improve user experience
  • Games for Learning: Leveraging games and simulations as powerful educational tools for STEM, problem-solving, and cognitive development
CRITERIA INCLUDE
  • You must be at a post-prototype and pre-commercialization stage
  • You must have a minimum viable product (MVP)
  • Your project must be scalable
  • Your venture must have fewer than 6 employees
  • You must be located in New York or able to participate in person
  • Applicants who have already applied to the Game Design Future Lab may not apply

We strongly encourage applicants from communities that are historically underrepresented in the game design industry, including people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those from low-income or non-traditional tech backgrounds.