Starting on February 19th, the X48 event will see student teams use Microsoft's XNA Game Studio 3.1 to develop videogames which are more innovative that the usual first-person shooters or puzzles.
The games created in the Imagine Cup will be reviewed by software giant Microsoft and regional agency Screen West Midlands.
In addition to creating new games, entrants to the competition will receive advice from industry professionals and support from world-class digital businesses operating in the region.
Andrew Sithers, academic lead at Microsoft UK, commented: 'Bringing together the excitement and pressure of X48 with the global impact of the Imagine Cup will give students a real opportunity to showcase the potential of the next generation of games industry leaders and innovators.'
Meanwhile, a team of games designers from Staffordshire University are to take part in the Global Games Jam, which is an international competition with more than 125 entrants.
The team is one of nine which are entering from the UK and expects to have around 50 members when the event starts on January 29th.
The games created in the Imagine Cup will be reviewed by software giant Microsoft and regional agency Screen West Midlands.
In addition to creating new games, entrants to the competition will receive advice from industry professionals and support from world-class digital businesses operating in the region.
Andrew Sithers, academic lead at Microsoft UK, commented: 'Bringing together the excitement and pressure of X48 with the global impact of the Imagine Cup will give students a real opportunity to showcase the potential of the next generation of games industry leaders and innovators.'
Meanwhile, a team of games designers from Staffordshire University are to take part in the Global Games Jam, which is an international competition with more than 125 entrants.
The team is one of nine which are entering from the UK and expects to have around 50 members when the event starts on January 29th.
