SOE accepting submissions for fifth annual G.I.R.L. scholarship

Sony Online Entertainment announced Thursday that it is now accepting student applications for its 2012 Gamers in Real Life (G.I.R.L.) game design completion, which aims to bring more females into game development. The competition, now in its fifth year, will offer the winning student a $10,000 scholarship to cover tuition and other education-related expenses at their respective school. In addition, the winner will receive the opportunity to take part in a 10 week paid internship at SOE's headquarters in San Diego, California. To enter, applicants must submit two pieces of original concept art (with captions) along with a full essay addressing the ways in which women are portrayed and represented within the game industry. "Over the last few years, we have been nothing short of impressed with the hundreds of amazing submissions from talented students nationwide. Now in our fifth year, we can't wait to see the creativity that comes out of the G.I.R.L. program," said Laura Naviaux, SOE's senior vice president of global sales and marketing. Sony will accept submissions for the competition until March 29 -- for rules, restrictions, and more information, visit the program's official registration site.