This year, the ACI and the XR-Lab are once again jointly awarding the prize for the best student (digital) games. The extended deadline for submissions is 24.07.25 23:59 (CEST).
Prizes
An interdisciplinary jury of experts from the fields of research, teaching and business will announce the winners of this year’s award during the Werkschau exhibition on 25.07.25. Three prizes including €300 (A big thanks to the “Verein der Freund und Förderer”) prize money will be awarded:
Best Digital Game
(300€)
This prize is awarded for the best playable prototype. This includes all PC and console games as well as XR applications with game character or gamified, interactive applications.
Best Board Game
(300€)
This prize is awarded for the best playable prototype. This includes all analog and/or hybrid board or card games.
Best Game Concept
(300€)
This prize is awarded for the best written game concept. This includes non-playable work including storyboards, term papers and theses.
Submission and entry requirements
- Enrolled as a student (HSO winter semester 24/25 and/or summer semester 2025)
- The game must not have been submitted to a previous HSO Game Award.
- Entry of the data in the submission list (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b3l4LyE3X8zMNFYWWtLZaw1is895t0CINrKiZxyz3lI/edit?gid=0#gid=0 see sample entry) by 24.07.25 23:59 (CEST) at the latest.
- Upload a 60-second teaser video (Board-Games and Digital-Games) Upload-folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1h5PCGOPONx3R5QCLlkptCYNu7N_vk74U?usp=sharing by 24.07.25 23:59 (CEST) at the latest. Format Full HD (1920×1080) Apple Pro Res 422 HQ oder MP4 (H.264).
- (For concepts only). Upload your concept as a PDF. Upload-folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c5ousUfPsktuZSDI9_6Mz5qNv01lqSSd?usp=drive_link by 24.07.25 23:59 (CEST) at the latest.
- Upload 5 Screenshots, all formates (Board, Digital, Concept). Upload-folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DivLouU4LxzCvW4FcgazX7toFIvRLEZ4?usp=drive_link) by 24.07.25 23:59 (CEST) at the latest.
- Exhibition of the game/concept in the context of the Werkschau (Faculty M) on 25.07.25. For this it is necessary that at least 1 team member (or a student representative) is on site for the period of the Werkschau (15:00-18:30) and exhibits the game at the appropriate location (exact location will be announced).
If you have any questions or problems, please contact Benjamin Schnitzer: benjamin<dot>schnitzer<at>hs-offenburg<dot>de
Jury
Christian D. Filser
Christian Damian Filser describes himself as a GameDev Warrior. As an influencer in the field of games and eSports, he is not only a passionate gamer himself, but also very well connected in the games industry.
Sabine Hirtes
Sabine Hirtes is Vice Dean of Faculty M and Professor of Animation and Visual Effects at Offenburg University of Applied Sciences.
Sofia Hämmerle
Sofia Hämmerle is an academic assistant at the Affective & Cognitive Institute at Offenburg University of Applied Sciences. As part of the MAgiC project, she develops gamification approaches for teaching.
Daniel Görlich
Daniel Görlich is Professor of Game Development, Software Development and XR. He is also head of the bachelor’s degree program viw.
Adrian Goersch
Adrian Goersch is CEO of the successful developer studio Black Forest Games and an expert in game development, design and distribution.
Philipp Degasper
Philipp Degasper ist an HSO alumni and Managing Director of StickyStonesStudio from Feriburg. He is a game developer and entrepreneur.
Wolfgang Walk
Wolfgang Walk is a game designer and lecturer at Offenburg University.
Sponsors and Partners
Past Awards
Best Student Game Award 2024: https://aci.hs-offenburg.de/de/fakultaet-m-werkschau-24-best-student-game-award/