Classification Guidelines
All games submitted for judging in the Australian STEM Video Game Challenge must adhere to thefollowing guidelines regarding content and themes.
These guidelines are based on both the Guidelines for the Classification of Computer Games inAustralia, as well as the recommendations expressed in the rating categories of the Entertainment
Software Rating Board (ESRB).
1All games entered must be suitable forplay by all age groups, and must conformto the ‘G’ rating descriptor as issued by theAustralian Classification Board, and the ‘E’or ‘Everyone’ rating descriptor as issued bythe Entertainment Software Rating BoardContent is generally suitable for
all ages. May contain minimalcartoon, fantasy or mild violence
and/or infrequent use of mildlanguage.

in languages other than English. Gamesmust not contain any content that isdefamatory.

Games must not contain any language
which is unlawful or which violates laws
regarding harassment, discrimination, racialvilification, privacy or contempt.

EVERYONEiv. Drug Use

Games shall contain no references (implicit orimplied) to drug use of any kind. Please notethat this includes illicit and illegal substances,prescribed drugs and legalized drugs (suchas caffeine, nicotine and alcohol).

CONTENT RATED BY

http://www.esrb.org/ratings/
ratings_guide.aspx

v. Nudity

The content is very mild inimpact. The G classification issuitable for everyone. G products
may contain classifiable
elements such as language andthemes that are very mild in impact.

Games shall contain no nudity of any kind.
vi. Themes

Games must not endorse, suggest or
advocate for any of the following additional
themes:http://www.classification.gov.au/
Guidelines/Pages/G.aspx
2In addition to conforming to the above‘E’ and ‘G’ rating descriptors, all games
entered must comply with the following
specific expectations with regard to gamecontent:
i. Violence

Very mild, comical violence is acceptable
but any violence depicted in the gamemust:

• have a low sense of threat or menace,• contain no use of visible blood or gore,• be justified by context, and;• must not be realistic in nature, or imitate

any real-life scenario.

• Gambling (simulated or otherwise)• Discrimination of any kind
• Illegal activity of any kind

• Impersonation of specific real life people,

3including public figures.

Games submitted for judging in theAustralian STEM Video Game Challenge:• must not contain any intellectual

property, including footage, images,artwork, programming or sounds that are
not created by the Applicant unless suchcontent is included as part of the GameEngine; and• must be solely the Applicant’s original workand must not be created in collaboration
with any other individual or entity

ii. Sex

Games shall contain no references (implicitor implied) to sexual activity of any kind.
iii. Language

Games shall contain no profane, crude orcoarse language of any kind. This includes
colloquial terms, slang terms and profanity

Breaching, or failing to comply with these classification
guidelines may result in disqualification of the entry.
In circumstances where these guidelines have been
severely breached or ignored, the Australian STEM
Video Game Challenge may notify the Parents/
Guardians or listed school contact of the entrant(s)and provide particulars of the offending material.

Technical Specifications
All games submitted for judging in the Australian STEM Video Game Challenge must adhere to thefollowing guidelines and technical specifications.
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All submitted games must run in a Microsoft Windows operating system, or in an identified
Internet browser.
All submitted games must utilize a keyboard and mouse based control system

All submitted games must function, first and foremost, as single-player games.

4 All submitted games must function/run independently of a need to download/install specificgame development software, or additional software.
5 Submitted games should refrain from the use of store-bought or purchased assets
Each of these specifications are explained below:
All submitted games must run in a Microsoft
Windows operating system, or in an identified
Internet browser.
While games may be developed using anyfree, or free for education, development
platform, on any given operating system, thefinal version of the submitted game must run
on a Microsoft Windows operating system, or ina nominated internet browser.
When selecting a game development platform,
participants should ensure that the resulting
game can be produced/exported successfully
for operation on Microsoft Windows.
All submitted games must utilize a keyboard
and mouse based control system
The rise and increasing prominence oftablet-based and mobile-based games isnoted by the Australian STEM Video Game
Challenge, and we understand there may
be a strong desire from students to develop
games for these platforms; however traditional
PC gaming is, in many instances, still highly
relevant and is the supported format for thiscompetition.*
To support our ability to effectively judge,
compare and assess the games submitted inthis year’s competition, participants are asked
to constrain their efforts to games designed to
be played using:•a standard keyboard only•

a combination of a standard keyboard
and standard two-button mouse usedsimultaneously•

a standard two-button mouse only

All submitted games must function, first andforemost, as single-player games.
Games that provide an opportunity to play withothers are great, and the Australian STEM Video
Game Challenge fully endorses the value ofcooperative, collaborative or competitive play
between multiple parties, however we requirethat all games submitted in the Australian STEM
Video Game Challenge are designed primarily
for play by a single player.
We do not wish to discourage participants toomit multiplayer modes of play, however, weask that these considerations be treated as
secondary to the single player experience.
All submitted games must function/run
independently of a need to download/install
specific game development software, oradditional software.
Games submitted in the Australian STEM
Video Game Challenge must be submitted insuch a way that they will open, run and allow
play without a need to download or install
additional software on the players’ behalf.
For the most part, this requirement refers tospecific complete programs. We understandthat, when developing games in anenvironment that is constantly changing andadvancing, there may be a need to update
versions of plugins and commonly used utilities(i.e. Adobe Flash Player) to the most currentversions. Such updates are an acceptable
expectation and will not invalidate any
submission.

*The Australian STEM Video Game Challenge will endeavor to support or introduce categories specifically for mobileand tablet based games in the future, in line with our capacities and judging capabilities.

Submitted games should refrain from the useof store-bought or purchased assets
The Australian STEM Video Game Challenge isintended to build and encourage capabilities
in a number of areas. The development ofcharacters, construction of environments
and the realization of artwork is an importantcomponent of the game development
process, and part of the challenge that exists increating an original game.
While many game development platforms
offer an ability to purchase/utilize store-bought
assets, or assets developed by a broader
community of users, the Australian STEM Video
Game Challenge wishes to discourage theuse of these assets for the purposes of thecompetition.
We do, however, recognize that in many cases
participants in the Australian STEM Video Game
Challenge are developing games for the firsttime, and in these cases the use of purchased
assets may be advantageous to the buildingof skills and to the understanding of the gamedevelopment process. Therefore, while we
do not encourage the use of these assets,
we understand their usefulness as vehicles
for learning, and will not disqualify, or omit
submissions that make use of them.
At a minimum, we expect that the main
characters and sounds, important tools andobstacles, as well as primary backgrounds are
the student’s original work.

Failure to adhere to these guidelines may impact
our ability to adequately judge and assess game
submissions, and may result in the submission being
omitted from the judging process.