Helpful Hints

  • Remember entries must be in on Friday! Good luck!

    Posted on 21st September

  • How will the leader board work and what will it look like?

    Posted on 21st September

  • Make the controls user friendly and maybe include a timer as part of your game

    Posted on 21st September

  • Think about keeping your levels short and snappy with increasing difficulty

    Posted on 21st September

  • Include controls and explain the mechanics of how the game is to be played in your annotations.

    Posted on 19th September

  • Remember you can make use of the iPhones/Android tilting feature to control the game, as well as touch controls

    Posted on 19th September

  • Consider the progression of your game. How will the game progress to get more difficult?

    Posted on 19th September

  • Think of a great game name that can be marketable as a free downloadable app.

    Posted on 19th September

  • Dont overwhelm with complicated game rules. Over-complicated game rules will limit its appeal. The best games are always the ones in which you can continue to try and beat your score.

    Posted on 16th September

  • Dont over complicate the idea or the playability factor.

    Posted on 16th September

  • Keep the annotations simple, clear and concise.

    Posted on 16th September

  • Add colour to your storyboard to help it stand out!

    Posted on 16th September

  • Annotations should be about the actions or movements of the game.

    Posted on 8th September

  • Does your game require certain sounds or music to make it better or even playable?

    Posted on 8th September

  • Keep a notebook or sketchbook to hand in case you come across a fantastic idea!

    Posted on 7th September

  • Give every idea a chance. If it seems too outrageous, it can be adapted.

    Posted on 7th September

  • Try to find an interesting theme

    Posted on 6th September

  • Just because you understand how to play the game, doesnt mean others will.

    Posted on 6th September

  • Remember your audience. The game needs to appeal to all tastes and ages - dont make it specific to one age.

    Posted on 5th September

  • It needs to be addictive and engaging for all age groups. The best games are those that people want to play again and again.

    Posted on 2nd September

  • Think about the sound effects what kind of noises will your game make, when and why?

    Posted on 2nd September

  • Does your game have characters? What do they look like, and sound like? How do they move? Make any characters engaging and allow people to relate to them.

    Posted on 31st August

  • If in doubt get a second opinion, teamwork is always important

    Posted on 30th August

  • Think of the long term playability of the game, will the user get bored?

    Posted on 30th August

  • Look at some of the more classic games and try to understand what makes them so addictive.

    Posted on 25th August

  • Only use one version of the storyboards - decide if you will design your game portrait or landscape and stick to it!

    Posted on 25th August

  • Simple games are more effective than complex games. We are not looking for a complex video game; we are looking for a simple fun game, like Angry Birds.

    Posted on 25th August

  • Doesn't need to make sense as long as it's fun!

    Posted on 25th August

  • Think of the best game apps and what makes them so popular.

    Posted on 25th August

  • The game is being made in association with Arnold Clark so the company must remain in a positive light throughout.

    Posted on 25th August

  • Get into the mind of the game player. What do you think they want to achieve or experience while playing the game?

    Posted on 25th August

  • Research ask your friends and family what they think of your gaming idea.

    Posted on 25th August

  • The game will be played on a mobile phone, so make sure the drawings and artwork are simple.

    Posted on 25th August

  • We hope you're enjoying your summer holidays guys! Just a reminder driving games won't be accepted this year but you can include cars if you wish, as long as they're not being driven!

    Posted on 29th June

  • The Arnold Clark Schools Challenge is back and even bigger than before! The Teachers information pack has been sent out today to every secondary school across Scotland. Make sure your school is involved!

    Posted on 6th May

  • Make your game stand out from the crowd, be different.

    Posted on 6th May

  • Dont underestimate the importance of annotating your game correctly to explain how it works. This will sometimes be even more beneficial than the visuals you are providing.

    Posted on 6th May

  • Remember to follow the judging criteria closely.

    Posted on 6th May

  • Unfortunately we will not accept driving games this year, we are looking for something different from the 2011 challenge.

    Posted on 6th May

  • Most importantly Like Us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to receive more hints and tips as the challenge progresses and ask us questions.

    Posted on 6th May

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Terms and conditions | ArnoldClark.com

Terms and Conditions

  1. Voting is open to the general public, all ages and schools.
  2. Strictly ONE vote per person.
  3. Arnold Clark will closely monitor IP addresses and voting patterns and may disqualify any team with multiple votes from one person or people.
  4. The 3 games with the most votes will then go to a final judging panel who will then decide on the
    overall winner.
  5. The competition is open to pupils aged between 13-18 years old.
  6. No purchase necessary.
  7. Unfortunately we will not accept driving games this year, we are looking for something different from the 2011 challenge.
  8. Entries become the property of Arnold Clark and will be returned on request. Copyright of all entries belongs to Arnold Clark. All intellectual property created in the course of the Arnold Clark Schools’ Challenge belongs to the Arnold Clark Group, this includes: the challenge idea, artwork documents, materials, concepts, game names, competition storyboard entries, game ideas, artwork, text and the final game. The final game’s intellectual property will belong to Arnold Clark.
  9. All entries must be received by Arnold Clark by Friday 23rd September 2011. Entries received after this date will not be eligible.
  10. All entries should be sent to: Arnold Clark Head Office, FREEPOST GW7675, 134 Nithsdale Drive, Glasgow G41 2BR. Proof of posting is not proof of delivery.
  11. Students will be eligible to win their school 10 computers (worth up to £5000) and the FREE use of a minibus for 2 years and an Apple MacBook per team member. There will be 1 winning team selected. The second placed team will be eligible to win its school the FREE use of a minibus for 2 years or 10 computers (worth up to £5000) and an Apple iPad 2 for each member of the team. The third placed team will be eligible to win their school £1000 and an Apple iPad 2 for each member of the team.
  12. The winning school will be notified week commencing the 3rd October 2011.
  13. Prizes are non-transferable, non-negotiable and no cash alternative will be offered.

    Minibus

    Vehicle
    The minibus will be supplied from our rental fleet. It will have seating capacity for either 15 or 17. Fuel type: diesel. Registration plate and start mileage TBC. The mileage will be limited to 30,000 each year, a total of 60,000 for the prize rental period.

    Inclusions
    Vehicle maintenance, servicing, breakdown cover, road tax and wear and tear repairs are all included free of charge. The school will be expected to closely monitor the mileage, road worthiness and safety aspects of the vehicle, and contact Arnold Clark marketing to arrange for any servicing, repairs and road tax renewal, as and when required.

    Exclusions
    Insurance, operational safety and road safety of the vehicle is the school’s responsibility, this includes a safety inspection done every 6 to 10 weeks at the nearest VOSA centre or VOSA approved testing premises. The school must supply its own fuel, please ensure the correct fuel is used at all times. Any costs incurred by using the wrong fuel will be chargeable. Any information required for the operation of minibuses for schools and organisations can be found at www.minibuswebsite.com.

    General
    Any speeding tickets, parking fines etc will be forwarded to the school address supplied. All points and costs will be taken by the school or its representative. We strongly suggest you use a mileage and drivers’ log book to track this. It should be timed and dated.

    If the school has to attend court for any reason or have any legal or criminal situations which arise, your connection with Arnold Clark and the vehicle should not be discussed.

    The vehicle cannot be taken out of the UK without prior permission from Arnold Clark marketing.

    N.B. The school must provide insurance details before the minibus is handed over for use. Additionally, the school will be expected to sign a long-term rental agreement, agreeing to the above information, this can be supplied on request.

    Computers
    Schools will be supplied with 10 new computers (worth up to £5000). Arnold Clark will supply a list of the latest PC or Apple Mac computers for the school to choose from. This will include standard manufacturer warranty, depending on the model selected. Please note that this prize does not include software or anti-viral protection.

    Apple MacBooks for winning team
    Up to 4 students, depending on the size of the team, will be supplied with a new Apple MacBook each. Arnold Clark will supply a list of the latest PC or MAC computers to the school, should they wish to choose their prize from this instead. This will include standard manufacturer warranty, depending on the model selected. Please note that this prize does not include software or anti-viral protection.

    Apple iPad 2 for second place team and third place team
    Up to 4 students, depending on the size of the team, will be supplied with a new Apple iPad 2 each. This will include standard manufacturer warranty. Please note that this prize does not include software or anti-viral protection.
  14. Arnold Clark Marketing reserves the right to choose which game is to be the winner and the right to change the game name.
  15. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  16. The competition opens on 1st May 2011.
  17. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, Arnold Clark reserves the right to substitute the prizes with other prizes of similar value.
  18. The winners should agree to have their name and photographs used for marketing and promotional purposes by Arnold Clark. The school must provide consent forms to Arnold Clark if requested.
  19. Arnold Clark reserves the right to terminate, amend or modify the competition or the rules. Any changes will be notified on the Arnold Clark website www.arnoldclark.com/schools-challenge.