g.i.r.l.

Sony Throws Down G.I.R.L. Challenge To Industry

8:20AM Stuart Houghton | SONY Online Entertainment has asked the games industry at large to contribute to the Gamers In Real Life (G.I.R.L) scholarship program, aimed at bringing more women into the industry. Speaking at the International Game Developers Association conference in San Francisco, Torrie Dorrell – SOE’s Global Sales & Marketing called on other companies to throw $US10,000 a piece into the G.I.R.L. hat and do their bit for the cause. “Today, I am challenging everyone to take action to help level the playing field for women pursuing a career in video games. By donating to the G.I.R.L. scholarship, we can encourage diversity in development and make a difference, hopefully creating more opportunities for women and ultimately making more video games women will want to play,” said Dorrell. Full press release after the jump… More »

SOE Awards First G.I.R.L. Scholarship

4:20AM Mike Fahey | Sony Online Entertainment has announced the first ever Gamers In Real Life (G.I.R.L.) design contest scholarship winner. Nearly 100 applicants submitted their video game concept art and essays for the contest, which kicked off in early April, and from those entries Julia Brasil of San Francisco was chosen to win a $US 10,000 scholarship at The Art Institute of California and a paid internship at Sony Online Entertainment. “I am shocked and overjoyed to be the first G.I.R.L. Scholarship recipient,” said Brasil. “I’m really looking forward to my internship with SOE, and getting some hands-on experience at such a well-known company. It’s such a great opportunity.” Shocked, Julia? You need to believe in yourself. Dreams really do come true; you’re living proof.

G.I.R.L. Game Design Contest Now Live

6:00AM Brian Crecente | Flynn wasn’t super impressed by the GDC unveiling of Sony Online Entertainment’s G.I.R.L. (Gamers In Real Life) program, but that didn’t stop SOE from kicking off their first game design competition for the program. The GIRL Game Design Competition scholarship is only open to current students of any The Art Institute schools and will reward one winner up to $US 10,000 towards tuition for his or her education at The Art Institute school at which he or she is currently enrolled. The winner will also receive a paid internship of up to ten weeks at one of the Sony Online Entertainment studios (located in Austin, Denver, San Diego and Seattle; room, board, transportation and living expenses not included). To enter you need to complete an application and submit three pieces of concept art, a 500 word essay decribing the art, another 500 word essay describing why you want to work in the video games industry, how you could improve the image of women within video games and how your improvements could facilitate the creation of games that more women will play. I strongly suggest pitching work on more IMAGINE games, just not the one’s we’ve talked about. G.I.R.L. Scholarship