Category Overview

The Business Category of the Collegiate Games Challenge highlights excellence in game marketing strategy and commercial planning. This track challenges graduate-level business students to create a comprehensive Go-To-Market (GTM) plan for one of four major upcoming video game releases.

Participants will craft launch strategies that mirror real-world publishing scenarios — developing audience targeting, product positioning, content plans, budgets, and success metrics. The goal is to demonstrate both strategic thinking and creative execution.

Eligibility

• Open to students enrolled in invited universities listed under the Collegiate Games Challenge program.
• Intended for graduate business students, but interdisciplinary teams are welcome.
• Each university may submit up to two entries in this category.
  • Internal school selection is required.
• Submissions may be from individuals or teams. Collaboration beyond individual programs is allowed and the submitting lead student will indicate which school the submission is from.
• The submitting lead student needs to be a U.S. resident for tax purposes and enrolled in their participating school during the 2024-25 school year.
• Submissions require a supporting school professor, established as the faculty point-of-contact (FPOC). Entries will be validated by the supporting school professor. See collegiategameschallenge.com/faculty for confirmed FPOC.
• Submissions must be completed during the 2024–2025 academic year.

Focus Titles for GTM Plans

All GTM plans must be built around one of the following unreleased, publicly announced video games:

• Mario Kart World (Nintendo)
• Grand Theft Auto VI (Rockstar)
• Marathon (Bungie/PlayStation)
• EA Sports College Football 26 (Electronic Arts)

Plans should reflect a deep understanding of the franchise, brand voice, target audiences, and competitive landscape.

Submission Requirements

• Format Options:
  • A slide deck (PDF or PowerPoint).
  • A written strategy document (PDF).
  • Or a combination of both.
• Video Presentation:
  • A recorded video presentation (max 15 minutes) presenting the GTM plan.
• Supporting Documentation:
  • Research and market insights may be included in appendices or attached as supplemental files.
  • Judges will review supporting materials as part of their evaluation.
• File Specs:
  • Slide Deck/Document Format: PDF or PPTX
  • File Size Limit: 25MB per file
  • Video Format: .mp4, 10 minutes max, 500MB max
• File Naming Convention: CGC_SchoolName_TeamName_GTM2025
• Submissions will be provided through an accessible Google Drive link.
• Submission Portal (to open on June 1, 2025): collegiategameschallenge.com/submit

Entry Fees

• No entry fees are required for participation.
  

Rights & Promotion

• Students retain full ownership of submitted materials.
• By entering the competition, students grant the organizers non-exclusive rights to publicly screen, promote, and share submitted trailers via:
  • Livestreamed awards ceremony
  • Collegiate Games Challenge website
  • GGP social media channels
  • Industry showcase reels and marketing materials

Awards & Recognition

Prizes and categories include:

• Grand Prize – Best Go-To-Market Plan Award
  • Gold: $12,500
  • Silver: $7,500
  • Bronze: $2,500
• Honorable Mentions may be awarded in categories such as:
  • Best Market Insight
  • Best Launch Tactics
  • Best Budget Strategy
  • Best Communication Strategy

Only Grand Prize winners receive cash awards. Honorable Mentions are recognition-based.

Winners will be announced during the Summer 2025 live-streamed awards ceremony.

Mentorship Opportunity

Participant will be invited to attend exclusive Zoom sessions with industry professionals. Participants will gain access to Sensor Tower tools via the CGC Discord.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI tools may support the development of GTM plans, but human insight and oversight must guide the work. Submissions must reflect the student’s own strategy and analysis.

• AI may assist with formatting, visuals, or data analysis—but not replace critical thinking.
• Entrants are encouraged to disclose AI usage.
• Work that shows insufficient human involvement may be disqualified.

Key Dates

• Rules Announced: May 1, 2025
• Submissions Open: June 1, 2025
• Submission Deadline: June 15, 2025 (11:59 PM PST)
• Finalists Announced: July 2025
• Winners Announced (Livestream): August 2025