Frequently asked questions
The following is a list of questions we get asked a lot. If you can't find what you're looking for here then you can get in touch at enquiries@daretobedigital.com.
Q - When is the closing date for applications?
The closing date varies per region / country:
Scotland - Tuesday 6th May 2008
All Ireland - Tuesday 22nd April 2008
China - Thursday 1st May 2008
India - Friday 2nd May 2008
London, West Midlands and the South East - Tuesday 6th May 2008
Q- When does the competition take place during the summer?
Wednesday 4th June - Wednesday 13th August 2008.
still have questions? Email us.Q- I have already agreed a summer job. Is this OK?
If you are selected to join Dare, you need to be able to commit to work on the project for 35 hours per week during office hours. We normally allow you to do some part-time work on top of this, as long as the rest of your team are happy with this and it does not impact on your team project. This would normally mean a local part time weekend or evening job would be OK, although you would have to ensure that any evening work was not causing you to come in late the following day. You must however inform the Dare Project Co-ordinator for your region of any employment.
Q – Do we get any time off for holidays / weddings / graduation etc?
If absolutely essential, each team member is entitled to unpaid leave from the Competition for a maximum of one week (five working days) subject to the prior consent of the Dare Project Manager, as well as from the rest of your team. But please bear in mind that the competition is only 10 weeks, so any time off would really affect your chances of finishing your game and put pressure on the rest of your team to take on your work. No other leave from the Competition is permitted except with the consent of the Competition Organiser and will only be granted in the event of exceptional circumstances, of which the Competition Organiser will be the sole judge. Please note very well though: you MUST be in attendance in the first and final 2 weeks however, as these are compulsory attendance weeks (as they are the busiest) so you are not permitted to take leave during these compulsory weeks. Please see the rules page for further information.
Q- What if I cannot find 5 people for my team?
If you cannot find 5 members, visit our vacancy noticebord on this site (see question further down). If that fails, we will accept applications from teams of 4, but please bear in mind that you will be at a major disadvantage to the teams who have 5 members and in our experience, teams of 4 tend not to be selected by the judging panel.
Q - I was a team member in Dare in previous years. Can I take part again, either as part of the same team or as part of a new team?
The simple answer is no – let others have a chance!
Q - I applied to the competition in previous years but my team did not get a place / I was also interviewed but was unsuccessful. Can I apply this year?
If you were previously unsuccessful you can apply as many times as you like. You can also apply again if you attended interview but were not successful in getting a place.
still have questions? Email us.Q - Why are you only taking applications from the regions specified on the website?
It is different each year, depending on the funding we receive from regional development agencies. In order for teams to take part from a country or region, we need to receive funding from that country or region. For example, in 2007 we had 4 teams take part from London because London Development Agency provided funding for those teams to take part. We would love to have teams taking part from all over the UK and this is our long term aim.
Q - Where can we find other team members?
We do not place people into teams - this is your job, however we have a noticeboard on this website where you can advertise for and find team members. Additionally, you could ask friends on your course, email people on other courses, put notices around your University / other Universities or talk to your lecturer.
Q - I am an exchange student studying at a University or Art College in one of the regions specified on the website. Am I eligible to be part of a team?
Yes, as long as you are studying at a University or College of Art within one of the specified regions during your exchange year and as long as the rest of your team fit the normal entry criteria (are students enrolled on a full degree programme at a University or College of Art in one of the regions set out on the website).
Q- One / two of my team members have already graduated. Can my team still apply?
It is OK if a small proportion of your team (no more than 2) graduated within the last 2 years (ie they graduated in summer 2006) but they must not have worked in the games industry for any more than 6 months and the rest of the team must fit the normal entry criteria (see above).
Q- Can students at FE Colleges apply?
A maximum of 2 people in a team can be students at an FE college. The rest of the team must be students enrolled on a full degree programme at a University or College of Art within one of the regions set out on the website. If you do this, remember you will be competing for a place against teams whose students are all at HE level, so you will have to convince us that you have the necessary technical skills to get your game to prototype stage. For the reason mentioned above, we will not accept entries from teams consisting entirely of students from a FE college. You can appreciate that for example, a Masters student has a far greater experience level than an HND student. Most of the successful teams who come into Dare are in their final year of Honours programme or at Masters level.
Q - My team are all graduating in summer 2008 - are we still eligible to apply?
Yes, you can apply if you are all currently in your final year and will graduate in summer 2008 when Dare starts.
still have questions? Email us.Q- Someone in my team has worked in the Games Industry. Can he/she still join my team?
No applicant should have had any extensive (more than 6 months full time) work experience in the games industry as a graduate or study break. Part time relevant work and internships undertaken during consecutive years of study are permitted. Please refer to the Dare team if you are unsure.
Q- Who should be the Team Leader and is this the person's only role in the team?
It is up to the team to unanimously decide who their team leader is. This person should have very good interpersonal skills as they will be the main point of contact between the team and Dare staff, support staff and visitors. They must also be willing to take control of any team disputes and be a good decision maker. We run a speakers programme which is open to all the team to attend, however the team leader must attend. As there are only 5 team members, the team leader must have an additional role in the team (eg programmer, artist, audio etc). Choose your team leader wisely - we have found that they can make or break a team!
Q - My team won't be able to make the selection day in my region- can we arrange another date?
No, the selection day is set and cannot be changed. We have tried as much as possible to avoid clashing with examination dates and holidays but this is often unavoidable due to the often-differing dates set by each University / Art College. Due to the number of people involved in the selection day process, along with the fact they are using their working time to assess entries, only one day can be set aside to hold interviews. We also have to ensure the date does not clash with important dates in the Games Industry calendar as the judges will be at these events! However, if the date of the selection day is inconvenient, we will endeavor to arrange a specific time on the date of the selection day which best suits your team.
Q - What is the technical specification of the PC's we will be using?
The specification will vary slightly between host centres, but the following can be used as a guideline:
Processor 3 GHZ
ATI 1600 graphic card or Nvidia equivalent or slightly higher
On board audio
Pixel Shader 2.0 compliant graphics processorsSpeakers & headphones
Q - What software will be available for use?
We will endeavour to accommodate all software requests, within reason - please do not provide a "wish list", only the software you deem to be absolutely necessary to complete your project.
Q – Can I bring any of my own equipment to the competition?
Yes but note that any equipment or other items brought into the University by Team Members, which belongs to the Team Members, or any other party will be brought in at his/her own risk.
Q - Can my team outsource anything before or during the competition?
Any IP introduced into the game (software, hardware or content of any sort) which was not originated by the team during the competition will need to be declared. The team will also need to clear all intellectual property rights related to those items and show evidence to that effect. If you fail to make such a declaration and / or fail to secure clearance you risk being excluded from the judging process. Be aware that we may undertake source code audits and reviews at any time. Please bear in mind that the judges will take into account the extent to which your game relies on third party inputs. Clever and original use of properly declared third party inputs probably won't go against you if complemented by a significant body of your own work but anything else may compromise their marking of your game.
still have questions? Email us.Q - My team will have to buy some books / accessories / software - does Dare pay for these items?
Dare provides each team with a £200 team production budget, which you can use to purchase any additional materials (eg software, hardware, stationery, books etc) essential to the development of your game. This budget must only be used for the development of your game and cannot be used to fund food / drink / socialising (often referred to as "teamworking" by previous chancers - sorry but we've heard it all before!). You need to provide us with receipts and a budget requisition at the end of the competition anyway, so we will spot beer money from 10 paces!!
Q- Do we have to finish the product in 10 weeks?
The aim of the competition is to get your product to a prototype stage/demonstration stage to then enable you to take it (with support) to funders/investors. By the end of the 10 weeks (actually only 9 and a half weeks as the remaining time is ProtoPlay and judging) you should have something to show a judging panel that you are happy with.
Q- Why do you own the rights to my product?
We are trying to protect you and your team, so that in the event of a team dispute/break-up, no one can walk out with an essential bit of design/code and you can carry on working on the product. Dare to be Digital will own the IPR on the product only until your team is able to exploit it. We will then give it back to you, in return for a small payment/share/stake, which will be used for the competition in future years.
Q- I don't have accommodation in my region. Can you help?
In most cases self-catering University accommodation will be offered free of charge to students taking part in the competition (excluding London & South East Region). In London and the South East region - subsidised accommodation will be on offer. Please email enquiries@daretobedigital.com to find out about your region.
Q - I can’t find the answer to what I'm looking for! Help!
Drop a quick email to enquiries@daretobedigital.com and we'll help you. Please include your name, course and University on your email so that we can help to process your query as quickly as possible.