Indie Game Challenge

The Indie Game Challenge was an American award competition run in conjunction between the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), GameStop and The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University (SMU) to support independent video game development.

The awards were created by AIAS, Gamestop and the Guildhall to promote innovation in gaming from independent development.

Mike Hogan, senior vice-president of marketing for Gamestop, cited the need for "new, cutting edge game developers who continue to stretch the boundaries and imaginations of gamers" in the industry, and hoped that the awards would "stimulate a new generation of game developers".

Summit, giving them exposure to major video game publishers and journalists, a lucrative opportunity for independent developers.

After the major awards have been announced, the judges then select finalists to give graduate scholarships to SMU.