Winners named in Activision’s $500k indie contest

Two victorious game developers have won a share of $250,000 in Activision’s inaugural Independent Games Competition, the publisher has announced.

Californian indie Peter Angstadt (pictured) takes first place, and a cash prize of $175,000, for wowing judges with his game Dstroyd.

“I first started on the game when I was in college,” the 24-year-old said.

“I worked on it on and off for a while, but when I heard about the competition I crunched to try and complete the gameplay, make it as fun as possible, and try and flesh out the setting and fiction, to really show what makes it unique.”

Taking second place, and $75,000, is San Franciscan group Engient. The micro studio entered the contest with its new game Rigonauts: Broadside.

The Activision Independent Games Competition was announced in June last year, and the publisher had hoped to have decided on a winner by October that year. It is not known for certain whether the contest went through a delay.

Angstadt and Engient’s win brings an end to the first phase of the competition, which Activision had set aside $250,000 for.

Activision said the second phase of the competition, which will exhaust another $250,000 prize pool, would begin soon.

"The first round of the competition was very impressive, and we have thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to show our commitment to supporting the creative spirit and innovation of independent developers," said Activision studio boss Dave Stohl.

"We look forward to continuing to reward independent developers for their remarkable efforts, and inspiring them to turn their dreams into reality."