I appreciate keeping the designer’s names separate from the prototypes during the judging process.  I can see that they are very serious about running a fair competition.

I still think the high entry fees and other requirements are unnecessary and make the competition too exclusive, however.  It’s nice for the 4 award winners as they will receive up to 600 Euros each in prize money, but this money comes at the expense of the other 56 finalists, who must chuck out 50 Euros each (60 Euros if they want their prototypes back).  And if you do win, you are REQUIRED to be at the awards ceremony in France.  There goes the 600 Euros!

This is in stark contrast with the Hippodice competition in Germany, which only requirs 5 Euros per game that makes it to the final round, plus return postage for your prototype.

As I said, I think it’s great that there is another game designer’s competition (we need more of them), but I don’t think the prize money justifies the higher entry fees.  You may argue that it eliminates some sub-par designs from being entered, but it may also shut out some very good designs from designers who don’t have the financial resources to enter.