Competition: Quantum Games
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems invites you to develop a quantum-themed computer-game, where quantum effects can be used to good effect:
- Is superposition one of your superpowers?
- Can you evade imminent doom by turning up the local uncertainty field?
- Was that a spectacular crash, or is your racer just entangled with the competition?
- Has your civilization reached the Quantum Age?
Quantum Games accepts games that run on common platforms (web, Android, Mac, PC or iOS).
The prize for the winning game is AU$1,500. The runner-up prize is AU$500.
In the first round of entries, you must submit a short video (up to 5 minutes) showcasing game play. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to submit a full, playable game. For more details on timelines, see the key dates listed below.
Have question about the competition? Get in touch at m.kewming@uq.edu.au. For inspiration, check out the getting started box below.
Key dates
- 2 September 2019 Submissions open
- 31 January 2020 End date for submissions
- 19 February 2020 Shortlist announced
- 28 February 2020 Shortlisted entries must supply full playable game
- 31 March 2020 Winners announced
Shortlist announced
Congratulations to our shortlisted entrants! We can't wait to see the shortlisted entries for:
- Schrodinger's Cat Burglar - Martin Binfield-James
- Slime Cat - Owen Peries, Iona Murray
- Lil' Singularity - Ryan Bowen
- Quantum Bird - Tim Matisons
- Quantum Game Theory - Desiree Vogt-Lee, Kendrick Tan, Rajiv Krishnakumar, George Woodman, Jansen Zhao
Resources and mailing list
Presentations from our free workshop on Saturday, October 26:
For more tips and tricks, sign up to our Quantum Games mailing list.
Quantum Games 2017 - Shortlisted entries
Need more inspiration? Here's a highlight reel from the 2017 shortlisted entries for Quantum Games.
Terms and conditions
Access the full terms and conditions here.
Your submission
EQUS invites you to develop and submit a new computer game that explores quantum principles to the EQUS Quantum Games competition. Your game needs to run on at least one of the following platforms:
- web-based (must run on Chrome and/or Firefox)
- app (Apple Store or Google Play)
- PC or iOS (Windows 7 and onwards; iOS 10 and onwards)
To enter Quantum Games, upload a video to Youtube, Vimeo or Twitch showcasing game play with a short description (up to 500 words) by noon on January 31 2020. If you are shortlisted, we will ask you to submit a fully playable game by 28 February 2020.
By entering the competition, you warrant that you are in compliance with the competition terms and conditions.
Getting started
To help you quarry the quirky quandaries of quantum mechanics, we have described various exotic quantum phenomena here. Other descriptions are available on the Quantum Shorts website.
You might find inspiration in the Quantum Shorts films and stories. You can watch submissions from the film competition and read short fiction entries.
For examples of quantum physics-inspired games, check out Quantum Chess, meQuanics, and Quantum Moves.
The 2017 Quantum Games winners were the creators of Quantum Mechanic: Michael, Daniel, Arthur, and Nathan. Our runner-up was Alex Tritt and his game Measure Ball. You can check out the video trailers for each of their entries and the other shortlisted entries below.
Shortlisted entries:
- Quantum Mechanic - Michael Ashwin, Daniel Chassain, and Arthur Lai, and Nathan Brown
- Measure Ball - Alex Tritt
- Tic Tac Schro - Bosco Bartilomo, Damian Leung, Gabrielle Mendoza, David Liu, and Claire Benders
- Quantum Lab - Jonathan Hopkins
- Quantum Marbles - Angus Chung, Ben Rogencamp, Blake Kammermann, and Joshua Crowley
- Uncertain Escape - Christopher O'Rafferty, Ollie Zhang, and Jeremy Boulton, and Robert Cuthbert
Under 18s - Parent/Guardian consent
If you are entering this competition and are under the age of 18, make sure your parent or guardian completes this consent form. You will need to upload it during the submission of your entry.
Major funding support
The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.