XPRIZE Connect is trying to get kids coding with a competition

The non-profit XPRIZE Foundation has announced XPRIZE Connect, a new "learning initiative" with the first being Code Games: A Global Game-Making Challenge to get kids coding.

For ages 10 to 18, they want them to design and/or develop a video game with a theme across either Exploration, Environment, and Human Equity. It's being supported by Endless Network, who focus on empowering a younger generation with tech skills. Also in collaboration with E-Line Media, a video game developer and publisher involved in titles like the upcoming Beyond Blue and Never Alone.

To sweeten the pot a bit, they're offering a prize of $1,000 to multiple entries, plus $2,000 will be awarded to the best games/designs. You've got quite a while to enter too, as nothing is needed until October 14 2020.

"We live in a moment in time when we have a unique opportunity to re-imagine the future, and who better to do that than the ones with the most active imagination, our young generations," said Anousheh Ansari, CEO of XPRIZE. "This new learning challenge will help us cultivate the vital skills of our next generation of innovators, those who will be the inventors and creators of the radical breakthroughs that will enable us to build the hopeful and abundant future we all want to live in."

I spoke to some of the people involved, who made it clear that any operating system or tool will be accepted for games being made. On the official site, that's made super clear on this page too. You don't need to actually make a game though, they're accepted either of these:

• A playable game made using any tool provided that tool is consistent with the requirements of the guidelines.
• A written video game design document that provides a clear description of the overall vision for the game, target audience, genre, core gameplay, timing/pacing of play experience, visual style, and (if applicable to the game) characters and storyline.

Quite an interesting one, and something all the parents reading GOL may want to get involved in, even if it's just for a bit of fun to spend some extra time with the kiddos to make something together.

You can read more about it here.