Microsoft Holding Game Design Competition For Children and Teens

Do you have a little gamer living in your house or know of a child who is interested in working in the gaming industry?  If so, then this little piece of news might interest you.

From now until May 10, Microsoft will be accepting submissions for the Kodu Cup 2011 that uses Microsoft Kodu Game Lab technology for the PC and allows younger gamers to develop a game fron the ground up and according to Lili Cheng, the General Manager of Microsoft's Future Social Experiences Labs will help promote creativity and self confidence.

"Our research has shown that Kodu Game Lab appeals equally to girls and boys and helps promote creativity, self-confidence, critical thinking and technology skills.  Kids don't feel like they're programming so much as playing, even though they're creating sophisticated worlds, characters and storylines."

The competition is open to younger gamers that are between the ages of 9-17 who will then be placed into one of the two age appropriate categories, 9-12 and 13-17.

To download the free software, go to Kodu Labs and choose download.  The grand prize winners in each age category will receive $5,000 for themselves and their school and a trip to New York to the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals.

via Microsoft Newswire