"I'll be forever thankful for the opportunity the PA Scholarship has given me to attend USC, one of the world's best game design curriculums," said Gorman. "I've already been able work on several trial games including a board game called Spacewolves that I designed with some friends. Look out gamer community, I'm coming up!"

While at Hamilton College, Gorman was a computer science major and creative writing minor. Her biggest interests seem to be in the intersection of story telling and game design.

The annual PA scholarship, established in 2006, is available to college students interested in pursuing a career in the game industry. The winner is selected based on service, leadership, character, financial need and the potential to make a positive impact on the game industry.

"We're grateful at how much the community has supported us over the years and being able to assist bright new talents like Kyla is one of the ways we try to give a little back," said Robert Khoo of Penny Arcade. "Kyla shows the kind of passion and excitement for creating games that ensures the rest of us will have innovative titles to play in the future."

Application information for the 2010 scholarship will be available in spring 2010.

“I am shocked and overjoyed to be the first G.I.R.L. Scholarship recipient,” said Brasil. “I’m really looking forward to my internship with SOE, and getting some hands-on experience at such a well-known company. It’s such a great opportunity.”

Shocked, Julia? You need to believe in yourself. Dreams really do come true; you're living proof.

SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP FOR WINNER OF FIRST-EVER G.I.R.L. GAME DESIGN COMPETITION
G.I.R.L. Scholarship Program Helps Boost Female Educational Opportunity
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - July 8, 2008 – Sony Online Entertainment LLC today announced that Julia Brasil of San Francisco has won the 2008 G.I.R.L. Game Design Competition. The competition was the first of its kind and was promoted in conjunction with The Art Institutes system of schools, to encourage students toward career paths in the creative and applied arts, ultimately resulting in the development of games that are more interesting for women to play.

Brasil, a student in the Game Art & Design program, was awarded a $10,000 tuition scholarship toward her education at The Art Institute of California – San Francisco and a paid internship of up to 10 weeks at the Sony Online Entertainment studios of her choice in Austin, Denver, San Diego or Seattle.

“I am shocked and overjoyed to be the first G.I.R.L. Scholarship recipient,” said Brasil. “I’m really looking forward to my internship with SOE, and getting some hands-on experience at such a well-known company. It’s such a great opportunity.”

Brasil was one of nearly 100 applicants vying for the winning title of the 2008 SOE G.I.R.L. Game Design Competition. In order to become the winner, Brasil had to submit an in-game design, original concept art and two essays.

“We believe our groundbreaking G.I.R.L. scholarship can give Julia the foundation she needs to pursue a successful career in the video games business. SOE is thrilled to jumpstart the first step in pursuing her goals,” said Torrie Dorrell, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. “We anticipate G.I.R.L. continuing to evolve and snowball, creating even more opportunities for women to get behind these games.”

Due to the popularity of the initiative, SOE will make official G.I.R.L — Gamers In Real Life — T-shirts available for purchase sometime this summer. For more information about G.I.R.L., go to girl.soe.com.

The GIRL Game Design Competition scholarship is only open to current students of any The Art Institute schools and will reward one winner up to $10,000 towards tuition for his or her education at The Art Institute school at which he or she is currently enrolled. The winner will also receive a paid internship of up to ten weeks at one of the Sony Online Entertainment studios (located in Austin, Denver, San Diego and Seattle; room, board, transportation and living expenses not included).

To enter you need to complete an application and submit three pieces of concept art, a 500 word essay decribing the art, another 500 word essay describing why you want to work in the video games industry, how you could improve the image of women within video games and how your improvements could facilitate the creation of games that more women will play.

I strongly suggest pitching work on more IMAGINE games, just not the one's we've talked about.

G.I.R.L. Scholarship

SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT TO AWARD UP TO $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP TO HELP GIRLS GET THEIR GAME ON

- Now Accepting Applications for G.I.R.L-Gamers in Real Life-Competition-

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -April 1, 2008 - Applications are now being accepted for the 2008 G.I.R.L. Game Design Competition scholarship of up to $10,000 designed to educate and recruit more women into the field of video game production and design. Sponsored by Sony Online Entertainment LLC. (SOE) a global leader in online gaming, applications and complete rules for entry are available online at www.girl.soe.com.

The SOE G.I.R.L. — Gamers In Real Life — competition is the first of its kind to encourage students toward career paths in the field of video game design and production, ultimately resulting in the development of games that are more interesting for women to play.

"The secret is out: Females game. We're just trying to encourage more women to make the games they obviously enjoy playing, said Torrie Dorrell, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "With the application process starting today, we're taking a concrete step towards opening the door a little wider for women who want to go into game development, and that can only help expand our industry's audience."

The SOE G.I.R.L competition was created in response to survey findings that focused on women in the field of video games. The survey interviewed female students currently enrolled in Game Art & Design, Visual & Game Programming and Visual Effects & Motion Graphics programs at The Art Institutes schools. The SOE-sponsored survey revealed that:
—61% of students surveyed believe male dominance in the industry is a deterrent to women pursuing a career in gaming
—42% of those surveyed would like to see women portrayed as leaders in video games
—35% of the students surveyed want to create more games that are fun and interesting for women to play
—31% of those surveyed want to become involved in gaming because more women need to represent the industry

According to the Entertainment Software Association, thirty-eight percent of all game players are women. In fact, women over the age of 18 represent a significantly greater portion of the game-playing population (31%) than boys age 17 or younger (20%). 1

The G.I.R.L Game Design Competition officially begins today, April 1, 2008. In order to be eligible to participate, entrants must be currently enrolled at one of The Art Institutes schools, have a graduation date of June 2009 or later and must comply with the Official Rules [Official Rules]. Entrants are required to complete an online application and submit an in-game design, concept art and two (2) essays. Online applications must be completed on or before April 15, 2008 and related asset submissions must be received on or before May 31, 2008. The winner will be announced on or about June 30, 2008.

One skilled student will win up to $10,000 towards tuition for his or her education at The Art Institutes school at which he or she is currently enrolled and a paid internship of up to ten (10) weeks at one of the Sony Online Entertainment studios (located in Austin, Denver, San Diego and Seattle; room, board, transportation and living expenses not included). Entrants will be judged by a panel of industry professionals from SOE. To learn more, visit girl.soe.com.

Following the success of the announcement of the competition, SOE has created an official G.I.R.L blog written by Tracy Seamster, game designer for SOE's upcoming release, The Agency™. To visit the G.I.R.L blog, go to http://gamersinreallife.wordpress.com/.

Survey Methodology
Sony Online Entertainment commissioned Insight Express to conduct an online survey of The Art Institutes students in January 2008. A total of 143 students were invited to take the survey via e-mail and 53 students completed the survey (37% response rate).

About Sony Online Entertainment
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, Untold Legends™, and PlanetSide®, as well as for developing Star Wars Galaxies™, SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX, Seattle, WA, Denver, CO and Taiwan, SOE has an array of cutting-edge games in development. SOE is owned by Sony Pictures Digital and Sony Computer Entertainment America.

They ran a trailer for the game and while it looked good, it was a little difficult to tell exactly what we were seeing. It seemed like a very stylish, fashionable spy movie with lots of kick ass foxy spy chicks. The evening turned to the panel discussion. It was a little difficult to hear some of the speakers given the bar/party atmosphere, but the typical subjects were discussed such as the difficulty of being a woman in a male dominated industry and how to go about bringing more women into the industry fold.

This latter subject was addressed by the real announcement of the evening, the SOE G.I.R.L. scholarship. Put together by SOE and G.I.R.L., the scholarship will provide a $10,000 tuition to put towards an Art Institute education, plus a paid internship at one of SOE's many studios around the country. Interested parties can apply starting April 1 until May 31, 2008. To be considered, applicants must be a registered student at one of the Art Institute schools. The winner will be announced at the beginning of June.

If you are interested in more information on the scholarship, you can check it out here on the G.I.R.L. website.

WomenGamers.Com - National Computer Camp [WomenGamers via Gay Gamer]

The $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to one hopeful future game industry star at the end of next year's Penny Arcade Expo.

The scholarship, announced today at PAX06, will be awarded to an aspiring student who plans to attend an accredited college or university with the intention of later entering the game industry in some capacity.

To apply applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.3 out of 4.0 and submit their application by Feb. 1, 2007.

The scholarship winner will be selected based on service, leadership, character and financial need.

The meat of the application will be a two page essay that outlines how you will benefit the game industry. Applications will also need to submit two letters of recommendation.

Robert Khoo, Penny Arcade director of business relations, told me that they plan to just write the winner a $10,000 check next year.

I think some big developers (MicrosoftNintendoSony) need to pony up some matching cash. But, hey, it's not my money, so it's easy for me to say.

Hit the jump for the official PAS guidelines. Brian Crecente

The Official Penny Arcade Scholarship and Guidelines
The applications for the Official Penny Arcade Scholarship will be processed between February and
August 2007. We will announce the winner at the Penny Arcade Expo, 2007.
One $10,000 Scholarship for the 2006-2007 Academic School Year
Specific Criteria:
1. Any student attending an Accredited College or University in the US during the 2006-2007 academic
school year
2. Must have the intention to enter the game industry in some capacity
3. Major: Any field
4. GPA: minimum of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
5. Submit verification of enrollment in undergraduate or graduate studies program for the Academic
Year 2006-2007
6. Each Award is for one year. Students must reapply for consideration the following year. No applicant
may receive more than one scholarship award.
7. Any number of students from an institution may apply.
Selection Criteria:
Completed application, required attachments, meet specific criteria [as listed in previous section], and
weighted criteria [weights in service, leadership, character with an emphasis on financial need]
Guidelines:
1. Postmarked by February 1, 2007
2. Complete & sign application
3. Two page [maximum] letter from you including:
a. Information about studies and how you will benefit the game industry and in what
particular field
b. Statement addressing applicant's service, leadership, character and financial need.
4. Two current signed letters of recommendation:
c. Letters of Recommendation must be from colleagues or professors from current study
program, administration, and/or professors who have knowledge of individual applicant
d. Letters of recommendation need to address applicant's potential to make a significant
contribution to the game industry through character, service or leadership abilities.
5. Most recent official college/university transcript [with school stamp, school official's signature, or
embossed stamp/seal] and schools grading system.
6. A photograph to be used for publication of award winners (Photograph will NOT be part of the
selection process).
7. Include name, specific address, & phone number of college/university applicant is attending.

Submit to:
Penny Arcade
c/o The Official Penny Arcade Scholarship
12317 15th Ave NE, Suite 108
Seattle, Washington 98125

Slashdot directs readers to a piece in The Esacapist where author Shannon Drake discovers that the Penny Arcade dudes, Jerry "Tycho Brahe" Holkins and Mike "Jonathan Gabriel Gabe" Krahulik plan to introduce a Penny Arcade scholarship in 2006. More excellent work from these two in addition to their super charity, Child's Play. Kudos.

Child's Play: The Tai Chi Approach [The Escapist]
Penny Arcade Announces Scholarship [Slashdot]

The International Game Developers Association is now accepting applications for the Game Developers Conference 2006 Scholarship. The International Game Developers Associationg will present qualified students with full access to all sessions, roundtables and keynotes at the big show. The GDC runs from March 20 through 24 in San Jose.

Check out the site for the full list of qualifications and deadlines.

GDC Scholarship [IGDA]