Make Something Unreal

File:Nvidia Make Something Unreal Contest logo.jpg

The first competition, titled $1,000,000 Make Something Unreal Contest, was held in 2004 in partnership with Nvidia, Digital Extremes, and Atari{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/1000000-unreal-mod-contest-announced/1100-6029610/|title=$1,000,000 Unreal mod contest announced|last=Calvert|first=Justin|date=6 June 2003|work=Gamespot|access-date=2 November 2019}} It was described as "a way to reward a growing community of gamers that are helping to spark the evolution of 3D entertainment".{{cite web| url= http://uk.ign.com/articles/2004/08/06/make-something-unreal-winners |title= Make Something Unreal Winners |date= August 6, 2004 |accessdate= July 7, 2013 |work= IGN |publisher= Ziff Davis Media |author= Apache}} The grand prize was US$50,000 and an Unreal Engine 3 license.{{cite web |url= http://uk.ign.com/articles/2005/01/24/winning-something-unreal |title= Winning Something Unreal |date= January 24, 2005 |work= IGN |publisher= Ziff Davis Media |first= David |last= Adams |accessdate= July 7, 2013}} Additionally, US$300,000 worth of computers were awarded, including 50 computers for schools whose students or faculty submitted an entry to the competition.

During the contest one thousand entrants submitted mods for Unreal Tournament 2003 and Unreal Tournament 2004 across 13 categories. Qualifying entries were required to be freely available for download. The competition was held in three phases, and grand winners were announced at the Game Developers Conference.

The grand prize for best mod was awarded to World War II shooter Red Orchestra, developed by Tripwire Interactive, who earned nearly US$80,000 in cash and computer hardware prizes over the course of the contest.{{cite magazine |url= https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.04/reds.html |title= How the Reds Conquered Unreal |date= April 2006 |accessdate= July 7, 2013 |magazine= Wired |publisher= Condé Nast |first= Lucas |last= Graves |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130519111919/http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.04/reds.html |archive-date= May 19, 2013 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}{{cite web|url= http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/04/03/intel-and-epic-games-launch-1-million-intel-make-something-unreal-contest |title= Intel and Epic Games Launch '$1 Million Intel Make Something Unreal Contest' |date= April 3, 2008 |author= IGN Staff |accessdate= July 8, 2013 |work= IGN |publisher= Ziff Davis Media}} Tripwire Interactive cite the Make Something Unreal contest as the reason the studio exists.{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/how-unreal-tournament-mods-created-a-wave-of-successful-indie-studios/|title=How Unreal Tournament mods created a wave of successful indie studios|last=Johnson|first=Leif|date=14 November 2017|work=PC Gamer|access-date=2 November 2019}} Friedrich Kirschner won US$25,000 in the Best Non-Interactive Real Time Movie category for a short film titled The Journey.

Following the competition, Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games, stated that "The ultimate beneficiaries were... the game industry as a whole which uncovered some incredibly talented people who will continue to make contributions to the industry for many years to come."{{cite web |url= https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/winners-announced-in-2004-make-something-unreal-contest |title= Winners Announced in 2004 Make Something Unreal Contest |date= January 25, 2005 |access-date= July 7, 2013 |first= David |last= Jenkins |work= Gamasutra |publisher= UBM plc |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191155/http://gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=4856 |archive-date= March 3, 2016 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}

In 2008 Epic Games announced the continuation of the Make Something Unreal contest in partnership with Intel. This competition would again be an opportunity for aspiring video game developers to submit mods using Unreal Engine 3, this time for Unreal Tournament 3.{{cite web |url= https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/epic-announces-new-make-something-unreal-mod-contest |title= Epic Announces New 'Make Something Unreal' Mod Contest |date= April 3, 2008 |access-date= July 8, 2013 |first= Leigh |last= Alexander |work= Gamasutra |publisher= UBM plc |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121113164530/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/109071/Epic_Announces_New_Make_Something_Unreal_Mod_Contest.php |archive-date= November 13, 2012 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }} Phase One winners were announced in September 2008, with some cash and hardware prizes awarded, including high performance PCs.{{cite web |url= http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/1-million-intel-make-something-unreal-contest-that--1-million-edging-nearer-as-phase-1-s-winners-are-announced |title= $1 Million Intel Make Something Unreal Contest |date= September 16, 2008 |accessdate= July 8, 2013 |work= GamesIndustry |publisher= Gamer Network |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225317/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/1-million-intel-make-something-unreal-contest-that--1-million-edging-nearer-as-phase-1-s-winners-are-announced |archive-date= March 3, 2016 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}{{cite web |url= http://www.mcvuk.com/press-releases/read/epic-announces-phase-1-finalists-for-best-warfare-level-and-best-capture-the-flag-level-categories-of-the-1-million-intel-make-s/060217 |title= Epic Announces Phase 1 Finalists for 'Best Warfare Level' and 'Best Capture the Flag Level' Categories of the $1 Million Intel M |date= September 5, 2008 |accessdate= July 8, 2013 |work= MCV |publisher= Intent Media |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001731/http://www.mcvuk.com/press-releases/read/epic-announces-phase-1-finalists-for-best-warfare-level-and-best-capture-the-flag-level-categories-of-the-1-million-intel-make-s/060217 |archive-date= March 4, 2016 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }} Of the first phase contestants, Mark Rein said Epic Games had "been blown away by the quality and variety of the mods submitted".

Phase Two winners were announced in February 2009, with a total of US$70,000 cash awarded across all winners.{{cite web |url= http://www.gamershell.com/news_69690.html |title= $1 Million Intel Make Something Unreal Contest Phase 2 Finalists #1/Video |date= February 18, 2009 |accessdate= July 8, 2013 |publisher= Gamers Hell |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150919061640/http://www.gamershell.com/news_69690.html |archive-date= September 19, 2015 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }} The Phase 2 winning mods were showcased at the 2009 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.{{cite web |url= http://www.videogamer.com/pc/unreal_tournament_2007/news/make_something_unreal_phase_2_winners_announced.html |title= Make Something Unreal Phase 2 winners announced |date= February 19, 2009 |first= James |last= Orry |work= VideoGamer |publisher= Pro-G Media |accessdate= July 8, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190330/http://www.videogamer.com/pc/unreal_tournament_2007/news/make_something_unreal_phase_2_winners_announced.html |archive-date= March 3, 2016 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }} In August 2009 Phase 3 winners were announced, with prizes amounting to around US$100,000 in cash and hardware.{{cite web |url= http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/make-something-unreal-winners-revealed |title= Make Something Unreal winners revealed |date= August 5, 2009 |accessdate= July 8, 2013 |first= Robert |last= Purchese |work= Eurogamer |publisher= Gamer Network |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180446/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/make-something-unreal-winners-revealed |archive-date= March 3, 2016 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}

The overall winners of Make Something Unreal 2008 were announced in February 2010, with horror shooter The Haunted taking the first place prize of US$50,000 and an Unreal Engine 3 license due to "a winning formula of intense survival horror gameplay, rich multiplayer modes, and nightmarish themed graphics."{{cite web |url= http://www.shacknews.com/article/62425/make-something-unreal-contest-winners |title= 'Make Something Unreal' Contest Winners Crowned |date= February 18, 2010 |accessdate= July 8, 2013 |first= Alice |last= O'Connor |work= Shacknews |publisher= GameFly |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121022092926/http://www.shacknews.com/article/62425/make-something-unreal-contest-winners |archive-date= October 22, 2012 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }} The Ball placed second, Angels Fall First: Planetstorm third, Prometheus fourth, and Hazard: The Journey of Life (later known as Antichamber) placed fifth, receiving US$40,000, $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000 respectively.{{cite web |url= http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/53152/Make-Something-Unreal-Overall-Winners-Announced |title= Make Something Unreal Overall Winners Announced |date= February 18, 2010 |accessdate= July 7, 2013 |first= Andrew |last= Burnes |work= Voodoo Extreme 3D |publisher= Ziff Davis Media |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120424091731/http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/53152/Make-Something-Unreal-Overall-Winners-Announced |archive-date= April 24, 2012 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}

In November 2011, it was announced that Epic Games would be hosting another Make Something Unreal contest in conjunction with Train2Game, a distance learning resource for game development. This competition required teams to develop a game for the iOS platform using the Unreal Development Kit – the free version of Unreal Engine 3.{{cite web |url= http://www.vg247.com/2011/11/02/epic-and-train2game-announce-make-something-unreal-live/ |title= Epic and Train2Game announce Make Something Unreal Live |date= November 2, 2011 |accessdate= July 8, 2013 |first= Stephany |last= Nunneley |work= VG247 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140101200659/http://www.vg247.com/2011/11/02/epic-and-train2game-announce-make-something-unreal-live/ |archive-date= January 1, 2014 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }} The competition began with a two-day game jam in which ten teams had to create a game based on the theme of Guy Fawkes.{{cite web |url= http://www.vg247.com/2011/11/15/epic-game-jam-competition-winners-announced-for-make-something-unreal-live/ |title= Epic Game Jam competition winners announced for Make Something Unreal Live |date= November 15, 2011 |accessdate= July 8, 2013 |first= Stephany |last= Nunneley |work= VG247 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140101200656/http://www.vg247.com/2011/11/15/epic-game-jam-competition-winners-announced-for-make-something-unreal-live/ |archive-date= January 1, 2014 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }} The top three teams, and a fourth comprising the most talented developers from other teams, were chosen to take part in the main event at Gadget Show Live in April 2012.{{cite magazine |url= http://www.edge-online.com/news/epic-announces-finalists-gadget-show-game-jam/ |title= Epic announces finalists for Gadget Show game jam |date= November 15, 2011 |accessdate= July 8, 2013 |first= Nathan |last= Brown |magazine= Edge |publisher= Future plc |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130531092259/http://www.edge-online.com/news/epic-announces-finalists-gadget-show-game-jam/ |archive-date= May 31, 2013 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}

The chosen teams were required to spend the six months prior to Gadget Show Live developing games, based on roleplay gamebooks Fighting Fantasy,{{Cite web |date=2012-09-07 |title=Gadget Show Live at $1,000,000 Make Something Unreal Contest |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207155400/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ |archive-date=2003-02-07 |access-date=2022-11-12 }} until a final two-day event at the live show, where they received guidance from developers such as Cliff Bleszinski, Jon Hare, and Peter Molyneux.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-06-20 |title=Full-cycle game development company |url=https://www.datasakura.com/post/mobile-game-development-company |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=DataSakura |language=en}} Large screens were displayed to the public viewing the event with the aim of giving them an insight in the game development.{{cite web |url= http://www.edge-online.com/features/make-something-unreal-live-report/ |title= Make Something Unreal Live report |date= April 25, 2012 |accessdate= July 8, 2013 |first= Ben |last= Maxwell |publisher= Edge |work= Future plc |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130531044040/http://www.edge-online.com/features/make-something-unreal-live-report/ |archive-date= May 31, 2013 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}

Development team Commander Kiwi won the 2012 contest with their fantasy RPG game Warlock of Firetop Mountain: Lost Chapters, winning them a full commercial license for Unreal Engine 3.{{cite web |url= http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-04-16-epic-announces-make-something-unreal-winner |title= Epic announces Make Something Unreal winner |date= April 16, 2012 |accessdate= June 8, 2013 |work= Eurogamer |publisher= Gamer Network Ltd. |first= Fred |last= Dutton |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120924001240/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-04-16-epic-announces-make-something-unreal-winner |archive-date= September 24, 2012 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }} All four of the finalists' games were released on the iOS App Store following Gadget Show Live.{{cite web |url= http://www.vg247.com/2012/04/17/uk-based-commando-kiwi-chosen-as-make-something-unreal-winner-during-gadget-show-live/ |title= UK-based Commando Kiwi chosen as Make Something Unreal winner during Gadget Show Live |date= April 17, 2012 |accessdate= June 8, 2013 |first= Stephany |last= Nunneley |work= VG247 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150610194615/http://www.vg247.com/2012/04/17/uk-based-commando-kiwi-chosen-as-make-something-unreal-winner-during-gadget-show-live/ |archive-date= June 10, 2015 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}

Image:Epigenesis gameplay.png

Make Something Unreal Live continued in 2013, with a new competition being announced in October 2012. The competition was open to students who were tasked with making pitches for a PC game using the Unreal Development Kit based on the theme 'mendelian genetics'.{{cite web |url= http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-03-make-something-unreal-live-2013-competition-begins |title= Make Something Unreal Live 2013 competition begins |date= October 3, 2012 |accessdate= July 10, 2013 |first= Robert |last= Purchese |work= Eurogamer |publisher= Gamer Network Ltd. |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130328120821/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-03-make-something-unreal-live-2013-competition-begins |archive-date= March 28, 2013 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }} Finalists for the competition were chosen in November, with 12 teams progressing to the next round where they were required to present works in progress, made using Unreal Engine 3,{{cite web |url= https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/make-something-unreal-live-2013-shortlist-revealed |title= Make Something Unreal Live 2013 shortlist revealed |date= November 8, 2012 |access-date= July 10, 2013 |first= Mike |last= Rose |work= Gamasutra |publisher= UBM plc |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121108190637/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/181115/ |archive-date= November 8, 2012 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }} to a judging panel, who would then choose four teams to compete at Gadget Show Live 2013.{{cite web |url= http://www.vg247.com/2012/11/08/make-something-unreal-live-2013-shortlist-announced/ |title= Make Something Unreal Live 2013 shortlist announced |date= November 8, 2012 |accessdate= July 10, 2013 |first= Stephany |last= Nunneley |work= VG247 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150907185117/http://www.vg247.com/2012/11/08/make-something-unreal-live-2013-shortlist-announced/ |archive-date= September 7, 2015 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}

A panel of judges, including senior personnel from Epic Games, chose four teams to progress to the final, stating that they were "hugely impressed by the quality of all 12 shortlisted entries to this year’s competition."{{cite web |url= http://www.vg247.com/2012/12/06/make-something-unreal-live-2013-finalists-announced/ |title= Make Something Unreal Live 2013 finalists announced |date= December 6, 2012 |accessdate= July 10, 2013 |first= Stephany |last= Nunneley |work= VG247 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150907225952/http://www.vg247.com/2012/12/06/make-something-unreal-live-2013-finalists-announced/ |archive-date= September 7, 2015 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }} At Gadget Show Live 2013 a similar format to 2012 was followed, with judges including Peter Molyneux and BioWare producer Mike Gamble.{{cite web |url= http://www.edge-online.com/news/make-something-unreal-live-2013-results-announced/ |title= Epigenesis crowned winner at Make Something Unreal Live 2013 |date= April 8, 2013 |accessdate= July 10, 2013 |first= Taylor |last= Cocke |work= Edge |publisher= Future plc |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130531112611/http://www.edge-online.com/news/make-something-unreal-live-2013-results-announced/ |archive-date= May 31, 2013 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }} Dead Shark Triplepunch's first-person ball game Epigenesis won first place at the competition, winning the team a commercial license for Unreal Engine 3 and Unreal Engine 4, with second place awarding Kairo Games' Polymorph with an Unreal Engine 3 license. Judges described the winning game as a "potential eSport."{{cite web |url= http://www.vg247.com/2013/04/08/make-something-unreal-live-prize-goes-to-potential-esport-epigenesis/ |title= Make Something Unreal Live prize goes to "potential eSport" Epigenesis |date= April 8, 2013 |accessdate= July 10, 2013 |work= VG247 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130509082529/http://www.vg247.com/2013/04/08/make-something-unreal-live-prize-goes-to-potential-esport-epigenesis/ |archive-date= May 9, 2013 |url-status= live |df= mdy-all }}

MSUL 2013 was also supported by Staffordshire University, Epic's educational partner for the program, and UKIE, the games industry trade association.{{cite web|url=http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/2012/News/WTP041034.htm|title=Finalists announced for Epic Games' Make Something Unreal Live 2013|publisher=Wellcome Trust|date=7 December 2012|accessdate=16 June 2015|author=Wellcome Trust|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421052305/http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/2012/News/WTP041034.htm|archive-date=21 April 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

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Category:Recurring events established in 2004

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