MSXDev'07 game contest announced

And there it is! For some years already, the MSXDev contest has gained quite some popularity among MSX users. Some may even say that MSXDev gained cult status. Especially the 2005 and 2006 editions brought us many new free MSX1 games, sometimes coming from experienced teams or individuals for whom it was their first MSX1 output. Needless to say, a new edition in 2007 would only have been a formality. Regulars might have spotted a discussion here and there in the past half year, concerning the specifications described in the contest rules. It was a discussion which was initiated after some promising games had been canceled and whether the higher ROM size had a role in that. It was up to the MSXDev organizers to discuss this question internally, and so they did. Here's a summary of the rules for MSXDev'07:

• as with previous editions, a ROM is still the format to submit the finished game on
• as with previous editions, the MSX1 is still the target computer
• a game may use a maximum of 64kB RAM (non memory-mapped) and 16kB VRAM
• maximum size of the game is a MegaROM (128kB)
• the game should work with the minimum system specifications, for details about these minimum specifications consult the MSXDev'07 website
• a game may support additional hardware, such as MSX2, Graphics9000, FM-PAC, SCC, Moonsound, etc. Additions such as these will be taken into account by the jury, as long as the game also works with the minimum specifications
• the game has to run on all MSX models compatible with the given contest specifications, penalty points will be given when this is not the case
• the game has to have original material, or otherwise material with permission from the original author(s)
• an entry must come with a manual in English and a cartridge label, and if you've followed the news recently then you know why this label could be so important! This year, the quality of this manual and label won't be taken into account when judging the games

As one can see, the maximum amount of allowed RAM has been raised compared to previous editions, this could give certain developers a bit of breathing space while other developers could see yet another challenge to make the ultimate game we've never seen before. Do note that 64kB is a maximum, not a minimum, you may still make a game that uses only 16kB RAM, nor does your game have to be a full MegaROM. Previous editions have shown that most of the entries haven't used the maximum specifications at all.

The prize for the best game, according to the jury, has yet to be decided. We'll update you whenever there's any news regarding this. Identical to previous editions is the open sponsorship construction. If you would like to donate a generic prize, or a prize for a special category, make sure you contact the organizers!

The jury has yet to be announced, according to the MSXDev website this will be at the end of this month: April the 30th. The most important date however will be December the 30th of 2007, the -very strict- deadline for the entries, put that one into your agenda!

The MSX Resource Center wishes this year's contestants good luck and the upcoming jury all the wisdom they can get, for this year's MSXDev edition might give us far more spectacular MSX1 games than ever before!

Relevant link: MSXDev website, with further details and reading