Winner of the National Invent-A-Game Challenge

by: Nathan - posted: 7/19/2009 2:14:00 AM

EA, Best Buy, By Kids For Kids sponsored the National Invent-A-Game challenge and they shelled out a $10,000 saving bond to 17 year old Dan Slutz of Canton, Ohio. His entry titled Rhythm won for it's original concept as a music based platform game where the player utilizes various musical styles to defeat enemies. Dan was very modest at the award ceremony in Calafornia:

“This is a dream come true!” enthused Grand Prize Winner Dan Slutz, “I
am very serious about a career as a video game designer, and could not
be more appreciative of this great opportunity. It will be a thrilling
experience to see the world playing Rhythm.”

To catch all the comments from the various sponsors hit the jump.

Dan Slutz, 17, of Canton, Ohio Wins National "INVENT A GAME CHALLENGE"
and $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond

Rhythm, invented by aspiring teen video game designer Dan Slutz, wins
national Invent-A-Game Challenge and will be produced and distributed
as a free, online game by EA.

17-year-old Dan Slutz, winner of the National Invent-A-Game Challenge,
poses with representatives from challenge sponsors EA, Best Buy and By
Kids For Kids, after receiving his $10,000 Savings Bond in Los Angeles
on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. L to R: Dan Hagerty, EA;  Deb Lyons, Best
Buy; Norman Goldstein, By Kids For Kids; challenge winner Dan Slutz;
Scott Walker, EA; Avi Rosenstein, EA.



Playa Del Rey, CA - July 16, 2009– Best Buy and Electronic Arts Inc.
(NASDAQ:ERTS) in association with The United Inventors Association
(UIA) and By Kids For Kids (BKFK) announce that Dan Slutz, 17, of
Canton, Ohio has won the National Invent-A-Game Challenge, a national
competition for America’s youth to create their own video games. Dan
Slutz won for his original game concept Rhythm, a music-based platform
game where players battle evil forces utilizing various musical styles
as weapons to advance, conquer and defeat their enemies.  On Tuesday,
Dan was honored at EA’s offices in Los Angeles, and received his Grand
Prize, a $10,000 U.S. savings bond, in front of a rapt audience of EA
creative game developers.

In the game, the player assumes the character of ‘Rhythm’.  The object
of the game is to return the ‘Platinum Record’ back to Rhythm’s
hometown, Melody. The Platinum Record holds the key to the enjoyment
of music for all ages. Rhythm fights enemies who seek to rob the world
of music, through the various tools in his arsenal. Players switch
between different genres of music, which have a dramatic effect on the
landscape according to the genre’s characteristics. Strategic players
gain new abilities and secret knowledge along the way.  Players
traverse ten worlds in their ultimate quest to rescue the Platinum
Record and return the beautiful gift of music to the village.

“This is a dream come true!” enthused Grand Prize Winner Dan Slutz, “I
am very serious about a career as a video game designer, and could not
be more appreciative of this great opportunity. It will be a thrilling
experience to see the world playing Rhythm.”

 “Best Buy was extremely impressed with the talent and innovation
brought forward in this process,” said David Benson, Merchant
Director, Gaming. “We congratulate Dan for a job well done and are
excited to see Rhythm come to life.”



“For more than 25 years, Electronic Arts has been making dreams a
reality through world class interactive entertainment, so we were
thrilled to be involved in a competition like this,” said Daniel
Hagerty, Producer of EA Casual.  “We are extremely excited to work
with such a promising young talent and help bring Rhythm to life."

Norman Goldstein, the founder and CEO of By Kids For Kids, commented:
“Dan Slutz is a perfect example of the power of youth to create
engaging and compelling products.  We know Dan’s success with the
‘Rhythm’ game will inspire other kids to create great ideas in the
rapidly evolving video game industry.  This is just the beginning for
youth to impact their play world!”

Patrick Raymond, Executive Director of the UIA and member of BKFK’s
board of advisors, was also one of the VIP judges for the Challenge.
He expressed delight at the quality submissions. “In a time of
economic uncertainty, it is heartening to see young people turn to
inventing as one way to express their belief in the future. With such
a variety of quality ideas, it was hard to pick a finalist. Our
congratulations go to Dan and all those who participated”.