The 2025 Showcase Competitions are about to start!
Showcase Competition officially starts on March 10 at 7pm with our online Prompt Launch event! Event is open to everyone and will be held on Zoom at https://everettsd.zoom.us/j/9167070608
For the ninth annual Advanced Media Entertainment Society (AMES) Game Design Competition and Showcase students were required to make a game that used elements studied this year, from concept to design, and implementation. They competed at their local school level and three teams won the right to represent their school and compete at this state-level event in Everett, WA at Everett High School Little Theatre on June 1, 2024.
2024 Prompt
All classes were given the same prompt and eight weeks to complete a game based on the prompt:
Crystal Reid Crystal started working in games in 2010 as a QA Tester at ArenaNet. She had an opportunity to transition to design where she specialized in combat encounters from scalable open-world creatures to Raid bosses. Currently, she’s at Bungie working at a studio level overseeing NAC (Narrative, Audio & Cinematics) in a strategic role. She’s probably on her 4th playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3 by the time you read this.
Kevin Martens Kevin started in games as a writer in 1998 on the Baldur’s Gate series at BioWare. While there he made Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, and Dragon Age Origins. He has also worked on Diablo III, and World of Warcraft at Blizzard Entertainment and currently leads the Design Department at Bungie Inc. His favorite part of game design is finding new combinations of elements in a game that make all of them feel fresh again.
Timothy Cobb Tim started working in games in 2021 after finishing school at Full Sail University. He is currently an open-world content designer on the MMO Guild Wars 2. His most recent work was on Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure. Tim enjoys breaking apart game worlds and finding things that help keep players immersed.
Clayton Kisko Clayton has 15 years of experience in the games industry spending most of his time on live service games both as a content creator and team lead. Some of the games Clayton has worked on include Madden, Tony Hawk, and Guild Wars 2. Currently, Clayton is working on creating activity content for Destiny 2’s seasonal release content where the focus is on encounters, boss fights, and engaging combat spaces for the players.
Competition Chairman & Event Hosts
Nellie Hughes As a game design industry veteran of 20 years, Nellie Hughes has worked on games such as City of Heroes, Champions Online, Star Trek Online, and Guild Wars 2 in various ways. She now resides as a Design Director at Xbox Publishing, helping guide the team and department to be the best they can be.
Liz Bell Utilizing a passion for games and teaching, Liz has been teaching kids from 5 to 18 how to make their own video games. They now work as a Franchise Business Consultant for Code Ninjas, helping over 60 locations across the West Coast that teach kids how to make games.
Snoozing Studios Art: Satine Watts Programming: Braden Nichols, Jackson Martin, Lapis Krueger, Ruth-Anne Jones
Thank You!
We would like to thank our Advisory Committees for going above and beyond in their help with curriculum steering, helping students with their projects, and constant support for our programs.
We would also like to thank our industry representatives for attending this event and being part of our panel. We really appreciate everything you do!
A special thank you to itch.io for hosting our Showcase.
To all of our guests, thank you for sharing this day with us in support of our students.
For the fifth annual Advanced Media Entertainment Society (AMES) Film and Animation Design Competition and Showcase students were required to make a film or animation that used elements studied this year, from concept to design, and implementation. They competed at their local school level and five teams won the right to represent their school and compete at this state-level event in Everett, WA at Everett High School Little Theatre on May 18, 2024.
All classes were given the following prompt and eight weeks to complete a film or animation based on the prompt:
We would like to thank our Advisory Committees for going above and beyond in their help with curriculum steering, helping students with their projects, and constant support for our programs.
We would also like to thank our industry representatives for attending this event and being part of our panel. We really appreciate everything you do!
A special thank you to itch.io for hosting our Showcase.
To all our guests, thank you for sharing this day with us to support our students.
Both events will take place on the Everett HS Campus in the “Little Theatre” building.
The school address is:
2416 Colby Ave
Everett WA 98201
The campus is huge and this isn’t where you want to be dropped off.
Here are some modified directions:
The red “not” sign is at 2416 Colby, which puts you in between the front lawn of our main building and the civic auditorium (neither of which you want to be in – and your bus driver might say something like “OH I know where to take you!” and they’re probably wrong – most guests are headed to the auditorium and that’s not where we are). The Little Theatre is in the back of the campus where the purple X is.
Modified directions:
Get into Everett however your map says to.
Once you’re off the freeway find 25th Street (most GPS’s will take you down Broadway, 25th will show up eventually).
Take 25th West (away from the freeway).
You’ll pass Colby – Skip it and make the next right onto Hoyt.
Start looking for a spot to park as soon as you start seeing 24th, sometimes it can be touchy.
There’s a small parking lot JUST past the little theatre – *DO NOT PARK THERE*.That lot belongs to the church next door and they’re super aggressive with the towing and stuff.
If you’re in a school bus, after unloading the bus, you should be able to find a spot either in front of the school (about where the red ‘not’ sign is on my map), OR on 24th and Rockefeller the student parking lot which should have some room.
Times:
Ani/Film (5/18): Doors open around 11:30 or so, tech check is 12pm-1pm, and competition will start at 1:00 PM.
Game (6/1): Doors open around 10:30 or so, tech check is 11am-12pm, and competition starts at 12:00 PM.
TARGET is to have both competitions end around 4 and be leaving by 4:30.
Times *MAY* get altered slightly as we get more data about who is coming/not coming.
Projector
The projector should work with HD resolutions so plan on building with that.
I am not certain if I will be able to access itch.io, which will prevent me from downloading things. Please plan on each team bringing their project on a flash drive just in case I am unable to download and/or connect to it. Unfortunately with our setup we will not be able to connect to the projector with a non-ESD device which considerably limits my options here.
For the eighth annual Advanced Media Entertainment Society (AMES) Game Design Competition and Showcase students were required to make a game that used elements studied this year, from concept to design, and implementation. They competed at their local school level and three teams won the right to represent their school and compete at this state-level event in Burien, WA at Puget Sound Skill Center on June 3, 2023.
All classes were given the same prompt and eight weeks to complete a film or animation based on the prompt:
Outstanding Achievement Awards in Video Game Design
Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Mechanics Pasty Boys – “Day In, Day Out” Outstanding Achievement in Worldbuilding Asylum Seekers – “Seeking Asylum” Outstanding Achievement in Game Art Double Edge Studios – “7th Samurai” Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance The Ren Men – “Cityscape Sprint” Outstanding Achievement in Unique Perspective Team Namye – “Burnout” Outstanding Achievement in Sound Pasty Boys – “Day In, Day Out”
High School Video Game Design Winners
1st Place Blue Streak – “S.O.S” 2nd Place CHS Team 1 – “Pixel Tower Defense” 3rd Place CHS Team 3 – “Zombified”
Skill Center Video Game Design Winners
1st Place Pasty Boys – “Day In, Day Out” 2nd Place Double Edge Studios – “7th Samurai” 3rd Place Asylum Seekers – “Seeking Asylum”
Rubeus Quest Design: Izzy Quintanilla and Robbie Allen Programming: Katie Tillson
Thank You!
We would like to thank our Advisory Committees for going above and beyond in their help with curriculum steering, helping students with their projects, and constant support for our programs.
We would also like to thank our industry representatives for attending this event and being part of our panel. We really appreciate everything you do!
A special thank you to itch.io for hosting our Showcase.
To all of our guests, thank you for sharing this day with us in support of our students.
For the fourth annual Advanced Media Entertainment Society (AMES) Film and Animation Competition and Showcase students were required to make a film or animation that used elements studied this year, from concept to design, and implementation. They competed at their local school level and three teams won the right to represent their school and compete at this state-level event in Everett, WA at Sno-Isle Technical Skill Center on May 20, 2023.
All classes were given the same prompt and eight weeks to complete a film or animation based on the prompt:
Unique Perspective: Team Cube – “Jip the Friendly Demon”
Direction: Ceed Studios – “The Perfect Blend”
High School Film Winners
1st Place “Abstract Art” 2nd Place “Dinner” 3rd Place “How the Heart Decides”
Skill Center Film Winner
1st Place Goofy Goober – “Morning Mischief”
Skill Center Animation Winners
1st Place Ceed Studios – “The Perfect Blend” 2nd Place Garbage Goblin Studios – ” Two Toned” 3rd Place: TIE Snarl Studios – “Turn Around” Studio Clockwork – “Good Kitty”
We would like to thank our Advisory Committees for going above and beyond in their help with curriculum steering, helping students with their projects, and constant support for our programs.
We would also like to thank our industry representatives for attending this event and being part of our panel. We really appreciate everything you do!
A special thank you to itch.io for hosting our Showcase.
To all of our guests, thank you for sharing this day with us in support of our students.
Film and animation students were required to make a film for the spring showcase that used elements studied this year, from concept to design, and implementation. They competed at their local school level and two teams won the right to represent their school and compete at this state-level event in Everett, WA.
All classes were given the same prompt and eight weeks to complete a game based on the prompt:
…From helping your neighbors and friends out during these weird times and knowing you can do something to contribute. Exploring places you’ve never seen before, even if you’re familiar with the location – knowing there is always something new to find. To share a sense of this with your fellow students. These are just some of the things you’ll find in your “Community”. Our prompt this year is “COMMUNITY”.
During this process, members of our Advisory Committee helped with refining ideas, setting up plans, giving feedback, and a host of other support.
Film and animation judges, James W. Clark and Tim Borrelli gave feedback at the event
The contest took place at the Everett High School Little Theater in Everett, WA. on Sunday, May 21. The videos embedded below are team presentations, their films followed by verbal feedback by professional film and animation industry judges James W. Clark and Tim Borrelli. The videos are embedded in presentation order at the competition.
Every year, student teams across the state are given a prompt by the Advanced Media Entertainment Society (AMES) and must develop their film or animation within the same two month time frame.
This year prompt was: “Perseverance”
Teams competed at the local level for the right to advance to this Super Showcase event.
Currently working to help realize the ideas and help feed the creative process of major motion picture directors, game director, and studio teams. Strongly familiar and fluent with the tools and processes of story, concept art, storyboards, pre-visualization and layout, animation, practical video/film shoots, editing, pitch presentations, and overall world-building.
Brian Favorite
Brian is an independent filmmaker, educator, and life-long learner. Production work includes network television positions as camera operator, floor director, assistant director, and director in Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco markets. This led to establishing Favorite Film, an independent production company focusing on documentary film production.
Gracen Bayer
Gracen is currently a student at Central Washington University studying Film Production. She has been making films for four years now and has been featured in multiple film festivals this past year such as the LGBTQ Unbordered International Film Festival, the WRPN Women’s International Film Festival, and the Burien Film Festival’s Northwest Teen Talent Division. Gracen hopes to pursue a career in the film industry one day and to be making films for the rest of her life.
Jordie Simpson
Jordie is currently majoring in Film Studies at Seattle University. In the Fall, she will be an officer for the University’s Filmmakers’ Club. Before college, she was involved in film classes at Capital High School, placed and featured in numerous film festivals and competitions, and participated in SkillsUSA club as Vice President. Jordie hopes to continue to create and pursue a career in the film industry.
Jae Hartsuyker
Jae is an indie game artist, character designer and art lead. She works on keeping art teams synchronized and coaching new team members through the art pipeline. Jae has worked on projects ranging from freelance commissions to medical illustrations to fantasy art.
Super Showcase Comprehensive Competitors
Capital High School
Olympia, Washington
Scott Le Duc Instructor
“2nd Period Film” Short Film Katherine Chancellor Sam Prigg Ethan Maas Hunter Deloney
“The Critic” Short Film Dylan Werts Dexter Knutson Keller Satchel Sogn Neil Anderson Justin Sandwith
“Perseverance Short Film” Short Film Josie Phillips Cooper Carlson Jack Grippo Jakob Pilon
“Perseverance Film” Short Film Brad Berbells Chet Hanchey
“The Missing Piece” Short Film Avery Miller Meredith Morgan Naim Peters Ellie Tetrault Stuart Whitney
“Soccer Perseverance” Short Film Francis Sharp Jadee Do Laari Ruby Lindsay McGaughy
Super Showcase Skill Center Competitors
Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center
Everett, Washington
Lee Anne Lumsden Animation Instructor
The Capybaras “The Final Animations” Animated Short Kristen Coe Tayla Hymas Isaac Rodriguez
Manx Space “Little Hope” Animated Short Holly Schoales Nevada Miller Sophia Barbin
tenICEity “Keep Pushing” Animated Short Jenice Jasper Nathan Rupp
Cyan Dog Studios “A Miner’s Home” Animated Short Cody Bell Andrew Robinson
We would like to thank our Advisory Committees for going above and beyond in their help with curriculum steering, helping students with their projects, and constant support for our programs.
We would also like to thank our industry representatives for attending this event and being part of our panel. We really appreciate everything you do!
A special thank you to itch.io for hosting our Showcase.
To all of our guests, thank you for sharing this day with us in support of our students.
Every year, student teams across the state are given a prompt by the Advanced Media Entertainment Society (AMES) and must develop their game within the same two-month time frame.
This year’s prompt was: “Perseverance”
Teams competed at the local level for the right to advance to this Super Showcase event.
Executive Director of the Global Game Jam and the CEO and Geographer at Geogrify, her consultancy which pioneered content culturalization in games. She is also an award-winning industry advocate and the former Executive Director of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA).
Sam George
I have primarily worked on experimental game projects with a focus on neuroscience and physiology data gathering and improvement. In college, I co-founded The Mind Mall, a multimedia software company, and Sam’s Simple Software which is a general software development house.
Nellie Hughes
As a game design industry veteran of 16 years, Nellie Hughes has worked on games such as City of Heroes, Champions Online, Star Trek Online, and Guild Wars 2 in a variety of ways. Currently, she now resides as a Design Manager at Monolith Productions, helping guide the team and department to be the best they can be.
Crystal Reid
Slayer and creator of internet dragons, Crystal began her journey in games as QA before moving into design where he focused on killing players in fun and interesting ways working on Raid and Dungeon content. These days her focus is around building and growing the Destiny 2 Narrative team at Bungie.
Walter Williams
Born in Los Angeles in the 80s, he worked his way up through Activision Quality Assurance to junior designer. After fifteen years in design, he has been blessed to work on games like Call of Duty and Shadow of Mordor.
Super Showcase Comprehensive Competitors
Skagit Academy
Mount Vernon, Washington
Jason Pasimio Video Game Design Instructor
Skagit Academy Ravens “Roll Over Red Rover” Programming Michael Rave Gideon Scholz Andrew Pasimio Art Cadence Littlefield Sound Audrey Heiland
Capital High School
Olympia, Washington
Scott Le Duc Instructor
GMJM “Labyrinth” Programming Michael Nguyen Art Gage Carpenter Michael Navarro Ortiz Sound Jamel Spencer
Bean Co. Games “Person Man” Programming, Art & Sound Vincent Vega
4th Games “Jackalope” Programming Jessica Art Gracie Conn Sound Zayvier Brown
Super Showcase Skills Centers Competitors
Northwest Career & Technical Academy
Mount Vernon, Washington
Linton Porteous Video Game Development Instructor
Ethero “Project Ethero” Programming Cullen Frates Art Kalvin Carmen Sound Ayden Brady Design Ayden Malone
Skeleton Key “Bonehead” Programming Steven Eerkes Art Oren Goodin Sound Cobi Bullen Music Darius Guidry
Shuriken Games “Ninja Tower” Programming Jeremiah Hofbauer Will Southard Art Will Southard Sound Jeremiah Hofbauer
Seattle Skills Center at Academy of Interactive Entertainment
Seattle, Washington
Chris Dougherty Video Game Design Instructor
Tower of Resolve “Tower of Resolve” Programming Nicholas Dang Art, Sound, Programming Sean Semick Art Jason Guenther Lucas Fitzpatrick
Cam Now “Cam Now!” Programming Samuel Paschal Art Isaac Stewart Tananda Haulley Thomas Nguyen Leo Yagle
Puget Sound Skills Center
Burien, Washington
Dr. Chris Cornuelle Instructor
Team Dishonoured “Slaughterpark” Programming/Audio Sam Clemons Design Conner Gipson Art Patrick Domingo Music Matt Safley
Raconi “Through the Winter” Programmers Derek Sturm Aidan Neumann Art Ronin Seboe Leonardo Rodriguez Music Derek Sturm Design Jared Novy
Depresso Espresso “An Opportunity” Programming Andrew Howell Josh Camacho Evan Gray Art Jayda Turner Mason Thompson Music/Sound Mason Thompson
Thank You!
We would like to thank our Advisory Committees for going above and beyond in their help with curriculum steering, helping students with their projects, and constant support for our programs.
We would also like to thank our industry representatives for attending this event and being part of our panel. We really appreciate everything you do!
A special thank you to itch.io for hosting our Showcase.
To all of our guests, thank you for sharing this day with us in support of our students.
Video Game Design students were required to make a full game for 4th quarter showcase that used elements studied this year, starting from concept, progressing through design and implementation. They competed at their local school level and two teams won the right to compete at this regional event and represent their school.
All classes were given the same prompt and eight weeks to complete a game based on the prompt:
Primary Protagonist must be either an Infant or Elderly person
During this process, members of our Advisory Committee helped with refining ideas, setting up plans, giving feedback and a host of other support.
CC image of Game Design judges from scottleduc at Flickr
CC image of Game Design judges voting from scottleduc at Flickr
The contest took place at Highline High SchoolPerforming Arts Center in Burien, WA on Sunday, May 12. The videos embedded below are team presentations of game play followed by verbal feedback by professional game industry judges James Cardo, Sam George, and others. The videos are embedded in presentation order at the competition.
Winners Announced, Judges Final Comments, and Thank You’s
High School Winners
1st Place – Capital High School – Krown of Kaos
2nd Place – Capital High School – Kira
3rd Place – South Kitsap High School – Puzzle Game
AMES - Advanced Media Entertainment Society 
