On January 31st, we announced our new program Chartboost University: Boot Camp. The number of applicants have been overwhelming from the indie community as we have received more than 200 entries from around the world. The past three weeks have been very hard for us as we focused on reviewing every single team and each of their members.
Our review process included downloading and playing games, watching gameplay videos; as well as many LinkedIn, GitHub and Google searches. We wanted to make sure every applicant received an equal chance to participate and we have met a lot of awesome people in the process.
Before announcing our selected attendees, I would like to give a round of virtual applause to the amazing level of talent that we have seen. We encourage you to stay focused on your games and projects, Chartboost University is a permanent program, so keep an eye out for new opportunities.
Company: Coconut Island
Location: China
Description: While Coconut Island is fairly well-established with a past title being published by Chillingo, they still feel that they have a lot to learn when it comes to building a business around mobile games. They’re passionate about making great games and aren’t interested in copying the work of others. While they understand the Chinese market, they know they have a lot to learn about how to succeed in the west.
Live game: One Tap Hero
Video: Meet the Team - Cat Battle Gameplay Demo
Company: Dobsoft Studios
Location: Australia
Description: This is a team of two developers that have built addictive mini-games in the past, but have yet to make a true standalone, fully-fleshed-out product. They have seven live products currently and are looking to learn how to make a full-time business from their creations. They feel like the Boot Camp is a great opportunity to do so.
Live game: Gun Fu
Video: Meet the Team - Gun Fu Gameplay Video
Company: Esquilax Games
Location: Argentina
Description: They’re a small group of young, driven programmers that will be sending three engineers to the Boot Camp. They’ve been in Argentine newsbut feel limited by the resources provided by Argentina. They think that San Francisco is a place where they learn from some of the best and brightest.
Live game: Climber Brothers
Video: Meet the Team– Current Projects
Company: Immersive Interactive
Location: Spain
Description: They’re a group of five ex-AAA developers looking to release their first high-quality mobile game. Their past credits include level design for both Clive Barker’s Jericho and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. They have a lot of experience working with the Unreal engine and are currently hard at work on Project Overkill.
Live game: None
Video: Meet the Team - Overkill Trailer
Company: Last Pick Productions
Location: Canada
Description: Team of three working on their first free-to-play mobile project called Homeless, previously iBeg. They garnered a following thanks to a Kickstarter campaign. They’re attending GDC for the first time this year and want to come to San Francisco to meet and learn from the best in the industry. They feel they have the tools to be great, all they need is the chance to do so.
Live game: None
Video: Meet the Team– Homeless Story Trailer
Company: OniMobi
Location: United Kingdom
Description: OniMobi is a small team of two people trying to deliver powerful new experiences with new, original IP for mobile games. Their first game, Leaf Rider will be nearly finished by GDC and they’d love the opportunity to get feedback on the project and learn how to improve their style for upcoming projects.
Live game: None
Video: Meet the Team– Leaf Rider Gameplay
Company: Wolfmans
Location: Denmark
Description: Wolfmans’ small team of three won the Nordic Indie Award and are working to turn several solid conceptual gameplay ideas into a full-fledged product and business. They’ve been looking for classes on the subject material that the Boot Camp will provide free of charge. Zumbie, their latest prototype, is nominated for an International Mobile Game Award.
Live game: None
Video: Meet the Team– Zumbies Gameplay
To our selected participants, we will reach out to you directly for further instructions.
In our book, there are only winners and learners. Which one are you?