If selected by The Nexon iNitiative program, you will earn a share of the $1 million allotted for game development (not really sure how much of that share you actually get), and you also get a shot at a Nexon publishing contract. Finalists will be selected in June 2010.

What are they looking for? PC-based games that encourage community and social interaction. Oh, and broad appeal. That another important part. (Basically, make another Maple Story.) Flash, client-based games or ports from other platforms are welcome. No good ideas will be turned away, but you have to submit them by April 30, 2010.

The Web site will begin taking game submissions immediately. Members of the Nexon America business development staff will be available at the Game Developer’s Conference in conference room 220 on March 10, 11 and 12 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Zombies are kindof a big deal. It seems that any book, movie, or video game that features zombies is an instant hit. Well that is what industry Veteran Jeff Strain is banking on with his new development studio, Undead Labs in Seattle. The studio’s sole focus will be on creating a massively multiplayer online zombie game for console gamers.

Strain knows the mmo space as he left NCsoft last summer to create Undead Labs. He also worked at Blizzard Entertainment on Starcraft and Diablo.

“Every time I see a good zombie movie with friends, we spend days debating our strategies for surviving the zombie apocalypse,” said Strain. “The police station, or the supermarket? Garden rake, or staple gun? Bach, or the White Stripes? I’m a game developer, so I’d probably be useless for anything other than ghoul bait, but I’m excited to have the opportunity to build an MMOZ that lets us put those strategies to the test and find out for sure.”

Follow Undead Labs on Twitter to watch for future details.

Indie Game Challenge

The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences have announced the launch of the Indie Game Challenge. The challenge will be offering winners almost $300,000 in prizes and scholarships.

Professional and non-professional teams are asked to submit a game beta and game pitch videos between July 14 and October 1, 2009. Up to 12 finalists will be chosen and announced in January and then up to five members of each finalist team will be flown to D.I.C.E. Summit.

“Our entire industry is dependent on the cultivation of new, cutting edge game developers who continue to stretch the boundaries and imaginations of gamers,” said Mike Hogan, senior vice president of marketing, GameStop Corp. “By joining forces with The Guildhall at SMU and AIAS we hope to stimulate a new generation of game developers and reward them with cash awards and scholarships. Perhaps the most important aspect of the Challenge for competitors is the potentially life-changing opportunity to meet face-to-face with professionals who have helped make the gaming industry the success it is today.”

All the details are at IndieGameChallenge.com. Let us know if any of you are working on this challenge and if we can help in any way!