Hi. I apologize if this should actually be a post in an existing thread instead of a brand new thread. I couldn't find a good place for it.

Anyway, I've been working on a game that I ultimately want to be 28 boards, but there's no way I can finish that by the 9/23 deadline. Every 7 boards in my game there's going to be a big cutscene explaining the story. Can my submission just be the first 7 boards of my game and the big cliffhanger cutscene at the end? The story won't be complete and it won't have the ending but it'll be the first quarter of game, so I guess technically it's a demo. Would that count against me? The rules to Dream Build Play keep saying "submit a game" not "submit a demo", so I'm not sure what to do. Anybody have any suggestions?

I would assume that it's similar to last year in that what they're looking for is more akin to "second-third playable" as opposed to "finished product".  "First quarter of game" sounds about like what they asked for last year.  None of last year's DBP games have come out yet for XBLA as far as I know, though Dishwasher is looking pretty polished and fun and on its way.

But yes, it would be great if someone from Microsoft would clarify the position - my guess is that they'll tend to favor more finished entries somewhat heavily, because I have to think they want to release some titles before 2010 and get the ball rolling on this thing.

(What they don't want is the first minute of gameplay and that's it, like I gave them last year...)

(What they don't want is the first minute of gameplay and that's it, like I gave them last year...)

Ha! Ok cool. Thanks for the info.

Slight correction there Nick: 

BenS1:

Slight correction there Nick: 

40% Fun Factor,
30% Innovation,
30% Production Quality (Polish)

Ah you noticed too...I just let it pass! ;)

BenS1:

Slight correction there Nick: 

40% Fun Factor,
30% Innovation,
30% Production Quality (Polish)

 Close enough :).

I'm new here.
I'm planning to make a new game too from scratch.
I'd like to know if Dreamplay contest will accept demo game with limited number of levels.
It's very important for me because there will be only 3 months until the deadline and it is not possible to make a full game in a short time.
If demo version are not accepted then I could take more time for my game and probably don't use the same technology.

I'm a c++ programmer with DirectX, so  I need to learn C# with XNA.

 Thank for your help.

also like someone said.. just dont give out only the first minute of gameplay hehehehee

i would prefer a very good produced 2-3 levels solid demo than a crashy buggy and unstable 30 levels "finished" game