Competition Category
Challenge Overview
This project is based on a similar competition that one of the organizers, Dr. Lauren Gold, hosted at a previous institution, where students were asked to create art installations promoting the FIFA World Cup through animation and projection mapping.
This category asks teams to create virtual reality environments that tell the history of the University of Houston and also enable them to be projected on campus.
Student teams will need technical expertise in 3-D animation/modeling and game engines, as well as creativity, problem-solving, and the ability to think about how to visually and spatially tell the story of the University of Houston.
Interactivity Requirements & Theme
In addition to creating a projection for display, teams will have to include an element of interactivity within the virtual reality experience, whether through a Vive Tracker, mobility and interaction within the device and environment, or another modality such as sound or motion.
The thematic focus is on the history of the University of Houston, tying the competition to UH’s Centennial. Teams can explore a wide range of visual and spatial possibilities surrounding key moments and periods across the University’s 100-year history, including campus architecture, athletic events, historical events, and other significant aspects of UH’s development.
Structure and Eligibility
Who Can Participate?
Open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled in FY27 in good standing.
Team
Teams of two to four, each team preferably including at least one Law student and at least one CS student (Bauer students working in AI welcome as additional members).
Information
An information session, offered in person and by webinar and open to all students, will introduce the competition and provide a mechanism for pairing interested students across Law, Computer Science, and Business.
Awards: gold, silver, and bronze medals, presented at the April 20, 2027 ceremony.
Participants & Team Qualifications
Confirm that you and your team meet the eligibility requirements before registering.
Student Eligibility
- ✓ Successfully complete a full load at the University of Houston main campus Fall 2026.
- ✓ Register for a full load at the University of Houston in Spring 2027.
- ✓ Be in good academic standing.
Team & Industry Restrictions
- ✓ Participants cannot have prior employment in the video game industry.
- ✓ A student cannot join more than one team in one category.
- ✓ Each student may join one team in each category.
- ✓ Each team must designate one team leader for registration and communication.
Category Contest Organizers and Personnel
Dr. Lauren Gold, Assistant Professor
Department of Information Science Technology
From Arizona State University and most recently served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Experimental Pixels Lab at Rice University.
Dr. Spencer Bennett, Lecturer
Department of Information Science Technology
From Penn State University and serves as a Senior Researcher in the CougAR Lab at the University of Houston.
Dr. Tony Liao, Associate Professor
Department of Information Science Technology
From Cornell University and is the current Chair for the Department of Information Science Technology and the Director of the CougAR Lab.
Game Platform, Content & Rating Guidelines
All submissions must comply with content, originality, and rating rules to remain eligible.
Platform Requirements
The game must be designed to run on one of following platforms:
- PC or Mac
- Virtual Reality (VR)
- Smartphone
- Tablet
For details, refer to the ESRB Ratings Guide on the official ESRB website.
ESRB Rating Requirement
Game rating must be no higher than Everyone 10+ (E10+) according to the ESRB ratings guide.
- May contain cartoon or fantasy violence.
- May contain mild language.
- May contain minimal suggestive themes.
For details, refer to the ESRB Ratings Guide on the official ESRB website.
Disqualification Criteria
A game will be disqualified if:
- It contains sexually suggestive themes, strong violence, and/or strong language.
- It uses unauthorized copyrighted materials (art, music, characters, code, etc.).
- More than 50% of the game is produced using AI.
- It is a copy of an existing game (over 50% similarity).
Competition Schedule
Follow each round from registration to final winners:
Round 1 – Team Registration
Duration: October 08, 2026 - November 6, 2026
Each team designates a team leader who registers the team on the Centennial Games website by submitting:
- Team leader's name
- UH Cougarnet email address
- Official team name
After registration, the leader receives a team code used by members to join the team. Teams that submit all required info by Friday, November 13, 2026 advance to Round 2.
Round 2 – Storyboard Submission
Duration: November 14, 2026 – December 11, 2026
A team leader must submit ONE storyboard by the closing date of Round 2. Teams that submit the storyboard by Friday, December 11, 2026 advance to Round 3.
Round 3 – Preliminary
Duration: December 12, 2026 – February 26, 2027
A team leader must submit the following entry materials in ONE zipped file by the closing date of Round 3:
- One (1) Game Summary Document
- One (1) Game Play Instructions
- One (1) Playable Game
Among teams that submit the entry materials by Friday, February 26, 2027, top 25 teams will advance to Round 4.
* The maximum file size for the Round 3 submission is 1 GB
Round 4 – Semi-Final
Duration: February 27, 2027 – March 26, 2027
A team leader from each must submit the following entry materials in ONE zipped file by the closing date of Round 4:
- One (1) Updated Game Summary Document
- One (1) Updated Game Play Instructions
- One (1) Updated Playable Game
- Three (3) Game Screenshots
- One (1) Game Demo Video
Among teams that submit the entry materials by Friday, March 26, 2027, top 10 teams will advance to Final Round.
* The maximum file size for the Round 4 submission is 1.5 GB.
Final Round
Duration: March 27, 2027 – April 16, 2027
Final Demo & Playtesting Date: April 16, 2027
A team leader from each must submit the following entry materials in ONE zipped file by Thursday, April 15, 2027:
- One (1) FINAL Game Summary Document
- One (1) FINAL Game Play Instructions
- One (1) FINAL Playable Game
- Three (3) FINAL Game Screenshots
- One (1) FINAL Game Demo Video
On April 16, 2027, the finalists (top 10 teams) will be invited to a live demo and playtesting round at the final in LOCATION TBD. Here is a sample of what the finalists can anticipate competing in the Final:
- Ten finalists’ game demo videos will be viewed by the judges in series
- Each finalist has up to 5-minute live presentation to judges presenting its game design submission
- Ten 15-minute hands-on game play sessions for judges to play finalists’ games
- At the end of the game play sessions, the judges will select 3 best teams as winners of UH Centennial Game in Game Design Category. The ranking for these 3 winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd places) will be revealed at the Award Ceremony.
* The maximum file size for the Final Round submission is 1.5 GB.
Award Ceremony
Duration: Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Final Demo & Playtesting Date: April 16, 2027
The winners from the Final Round will be invited to the Award Ceremony at LOCATION TBD.
- 1st Place: $6,000, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the team
- 2nd Place: $3,000, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the team
- 3rd Place: $1,000, to be divided equally among each officially registered member of the team
* The mentor will NOT be awarded any portion of the monetized prize winnings listed above.
Ready to Register Your Team?
Ensure your team meets all qualifications.
- All team members are eligible UH main campus students for Fall 2026.
- Designated team leader with UH Cougarnet ID and email address.
- Unique team name confirmed.
- Understanding of E10+ rating, AI, copyright, and content rules.
Team Registration
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the contest, please reach out to Tony Liao, Associate Professor, Information Science Technology at tcliao@uh.edu.