I was looking at the dream build play website and came across some information that I have a question about.

First, I noticed one of the prizes is this:

2. A $3,000 (USD) stipend per team. Each finalist entry will be awarded $3,000 (USD) per team. This may be used to help pay travel costs for attending GDC, although the stipend will be provided even if you cannot attend.

Then, I noticed this:

Once you’re done, kick back and relax while our judges review the entries. The Finalist teams will be announced at the Game Developers Conference 2008 in San Francisco, CA on February 18-22, 2008.

So my question is, are finalist going to be silently announced before hand so they can get enough notice for the trip?

Thanks for your response,

Matt D

The review of all submissions will start on th 28th January and the decision about the Finalist teams will be made within the nexy two weeks (or earlier). The Finalist will be contacted as soon as we know them so they can prepare for the trip to San Fransisco. The public announcement will take place at GDC.

Ralf Herbrich, Microsoft Research Cambridge

When is the the presentation happening and will there be a webcast?

Winners announced

http://www.dreambuildplay.com/main/default.aspx

No webcast planned for now. But here at GDC the Silicon Minds booth has been packed with people all day!

Joaquin Quiñonero Candela, Microsoft Resarch Cambridge

Impressions of XNA games by this website seem to be pretty harsh.  I haven't played the winning games yet myself, but I think the writers response is a bit harsh and unprofessional for 3 week demos.

My game didn't win and I know it is anything but boring, so surely the winners don't deserve this kind of media coverage.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-xna-booth-tour/

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/19/gdc08-going-baaa-listic-for-isheep/

For those of you who had the priviledge of attending, what are your impressions?

- Matt D

I walked by the booth today and there is no indication (well i didn't see any as i passed) that the games were produced in a short period of time, nor that the judging focus was on innovative AI.

Since the journalists all remember last years Dream Build Play and journalists don't take any time to research anything they are making the unreasonable comparisons that you read about.

That is too bad.  As a community, we can use this as motivation.