BioWare World Design Contest

With the success of last year's writing contest, BioWare has decided to follow it up this year with a world design contest. Anyone who has dreamed of working as a world designer will find this a unique opportunity to get their work noticed by the right people. We are looking for exceptionally talented level designers to help develop BioWare's first MMORPG in Austin, Texas.

Here is what you need to know to enter:

BioWare asks for designers to create a Neverwinter Nights adventure to showcase their world design skills using the Neverwinter Nights 1 Aurora Toolset. There are a lot of options to consider when creating a module in the Toolset, but it is important to remember that we will be mainly looking at the technical skills and creative level design used.

When hiring world designers, BioWare looks at your scripting/technical abilities, your creative level design skills, your ability to create cinematic moments, and your ability to create interesting and fun puzzles. Because BioWare is known for quality, we also value a world designer's ability to create stable, bug free work that is well documented.

To be eligible for this contest, please submit a Neverwinter Nights module that follows these parameters:

• Only one entry per person will be accepted. Multiple entries by the same person will result in all submissions from that person being automatically disqualified.
• Create an adventure not shorter than 20 minutes to at the most 40 minutes in length. While we are firm on these time guidelines, we understand individual gameplay style does vary.
• Use only an updated version of Neverwinter Nights 1 and its official expansion packs Shadows of Undrentide and Hordes of the Underdark to create your module. Do not use any community-made content. Do not use any part of NWN2 or the NWN2 Toolset to create your module.
• Your module should include a cut scene, intricate puzzles and interesting NPC behavior.
• You must also submit a PSA to qualify. What is a PSA?

Strongly recommended suggestions:

• Show off your technical prowess by including cutscenes, intricate puzzles, combat encounters, interesting NPC behavior, etc.
• Start your module with a bang. Get the audience's attention right away with a cool cutscene.
• End the module on a high note. Either with a cool cutscene or some other visual reward for the player.
• Test your work. Bugs and crashes can bring down the most creative work.
• Although anyone is welcome to enter, the crux of this contest is to find potential employees for BioWare Austin. If you are not of legal employment age, if you do not wish to make this your career, or if you would not want to move to Austin, you may want to reconsider submitting a module.

When does the contest close?

Submissions must be uploaded by July 20, 2007 by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time (the time zone of Austin Texas). Winners will be announced the end of August or the beginning of September depending on number of submissions.

How are the top entries chosen, and what are the prizes?

Ten submissions will be selected by a panel of judges. These top ten submissions will then be reviewed by BioWare Austin senior staff members James Ohlen and Brad Prince with the intent on finding and hiring talented world designers for possible employment at our BioWare Austin Studio. Further interviews and additional samples of your work may be required at the discretion of BioWare.

Each of the top ten submissions will receive based on availability a selection of merchandise from the BioWare Online Store, including:

• A selection of BioWare merchandise
• Free digital copy of Jade Empire: Special Edition
• Copies of all Premium Neverwinter Nights Modules

Ten (10) submissions will be selected in total by a panel of judges consisting of community members and BioWare staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enter this contest in hopes of being considered for a job in BioWare Edmonton, Canada?

No. This contest is aimed at finding talented world designers to work at BioWare Austin, USA.

I would like to apply for a job at BioWare Austin or BioWare Edmonton directly. How do I do that?

Head over to the jobs page for details on applying for a job at BioWare. This contest is entirely separate from the process of applying for a job at BioWare.

How do I submit my module?

Follow these instructions carefully.

I already have a completed module. Can I submit that?

Yes, but only if it conforms to the submission parameters. Remember the minimum/maximum lengths for submissions and also remember only one submission per person.

Can I submit a module that is in a language other than English?

No. We will only consider submissions in English.

What's the deadline for submissions?

July 20, 2007

When are the winners announced?

Depending on the number of submissions received, the winners will be announced towards the end of August/beginning of September 2007.

So, if I win I start working for BioWare?

No. The winning entries will be reviewed by BioWare senior staff, James Ohlen and Brad Prince, but no employment is guaranteed.

Can I submit more than one entry?

No. Only one submission per person please.

Do the submission requirements for last year's writing contest apply here?

No. The only submissions requirements that apply to this contest are listed above.

But I don't know how to use the Neverwinter Nights Toolset or Dialogue Editor!

No problem. Here are some excellent online resources to get you started:

• Introduction to the Dialogue Editor by NWVault's Maximus: Part 1, Part 2
• Introduction to the Aurora Neverwinter Toolset
• Module Construction Tutorial

I have more questions

Keep checking this FAQ for future updates and be sure to read the BioWare forum about this contest for fan discussion.

Who else from the community has been hired in the past?

• Brian Chung - DLA member now BioWare technical artist
• Rick Burton - Community module creator
• Francis Lacuna - DLA member now BioWare character artist
• Georg Zoeller (designer), Tim Smith (programmer), Emmanuel Lusinchi (designer, now at BioWare Austin), Yaron Jakobs (designer)

Can I use scripting in my submission?

Scripting is fine. Any scripts should be fully commented and, if taken from someone else, fully accredited.

Related Links - Last Year's Contest

• BioWare Writing Contest Winners
• Closing Thoughts on the BioWare Writing Contest
• BioWare's Kevin Barrett Answers Buckets of Contest Questions
• Attention Writers! An Interview with BioWare's Kevin Barrett