IVRC Immerse-A-Thon Powered by Boise Startup Week

Idaho Virtual Reality Council presents the 2017 Boise Startup Week Immerse-A-Thon.  Join us at Boise State University's Computer Science Department on September 29th through October 1st.  Registration is open on Eventbrite!  Get ready for amazing prizes and an amazing time!

REGISTER HERE

A BIG THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

What, When, Where

• What - A virtual and augmented reality hackathon
• When - September 29th - October 1st, 2017
• Where - Boise State University's Department of Computer Science
• Cost - $25.00 per team

Prizes

• $500 Cash
• (1) HTC Vive
• (1) GDC Ticket
• IVRC Accelerator Program
• (2) 2018 Treefort Passes
• VR1 Passes

Participants Get

• Food
• Immerse-A-Thon T-shirt
• VR1 Passes

Theme

The Great Outdoors

Date/Times

An overnight event starting at 5:00 PM on Friday, September 29th and ending at 1:00 on Sunday, October 1st.

Location

Boise State University's Computer Science Department - 777 W Main St, 2nd Floor, Boise, ID 83702

Registration

Begins Friday September 1st on Eventbrite.  A $25.00 registration fee per team.  Registration includes t-shirt and food for participants.

Support

Device and periodic tech support available.

Judges

• Nick Crabbs - Partner VYNYL
• Duane Mathes - Black Box VR
• TBA

RULES & REGULATIONS

Hardware/Software requirements

1. Each team should have at least one computer with an i5 processor or an equivalent.
2. A GPU capable of running Unity/Unreal
3. A functioning copy of Unity Game Engine

Not Your Average Hackathon

• This isn’t just a hackathon, this is an Immerse-a-thon. This is our special way of telling you that the event will be geared towards immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented realities. So be prepared to create projects that can be tested and showcased on VR head mounted displays.

Be Civil, Be Friendly, Be Awesome

• You are developers and contributors to what is perhaps one of the most exciting and impactful technologies ever created. As pioneers it is up to you to promote the industry and encourage more people to enter the space. It is on all of us to cultivate a spirit of diversity that is accepting of hackers of every race, sexual orientation, religion, gender, and ability level. Any conduct that is contrary to this will result in the disqualification of the hacker from the event and his/her removal from the premises. So please use this event as an opportunity to teach, learn, build, fail, succeed, and most of all, have fun!

We Want Something New, Original, and Exciting

• Don’t be afraid to go for the longshot. This event is about pushing boundaries and identifying teams and individuals who have disruptive visions and are willing to make them a reality.

Don’t Just Talk, Build

• Of course we want to hear about great ideas, but ultimately we want to see you turn your ideas into something tangible.  At the end of the day it’s what you have built that will speak louder than your words.
• If you have identified a potential project that fits within the theme of the event then we encourage teams to go through the ideation and wireframing process beforehand.  This will allow your team to spend more time creating and less time trying to figure out what you want to build.

No Coding Before the Event

• All projects must be entirely coded during the event. However, if needed, hackers may utilize open-source code, API’s and frameworks. Prefabs and assets may be used as long as their use is fully disclosed, however it does look good if you are able to create some of your own original assets. If teams want to develop their own assets before the event that is OK as long as there isn't any coding involved. Bringing your own custom assets is no different than just buying ones right from the assets store.

Use Version Control Software

• Using a version control software like GIT or Mercurial is a good idea. It will help you keep track of your code and verify its originality should your team make it to the finals.

Be Prepared To Show Us Your Code

• If your team is selected as a finalist be prepared to show us your code. We want to make sure that your code is original and valid. This will be done by a judge selected by the Idaho Virtual Reality Council. Rest assured that your code and ideas belong to you and only you and will not be shared or distributed to any other parties.

Size Matters

• Team size can range from 1 - 6 hackers. In order to maintain fairness we will not allow teams larger than this to participate.
• If you are a lone hacker but still want to participate sign up anyway and we will do our best to connect you with other hackers that don't have a team.
• Hackers may not officially be a member of more than one team, however it is permissible for a hacker to lend his/her expertise to another team’s project if they choose.

To Participate in the Student Division

• You must now be enrolled in an area high school, university, code camp, or have graduated within 12 months prior to the event.  If you participate in the event as a student please be prepared to provide proof (student ID, school correspondence .  .  .).

Be Respectful of BSU Staff and Students

• Students and faculty may be working in the building during the event. Immerse-a-thon participants are guests of Boise State University and must be respectful of Boise State students and faculties right to a relatively quiet workspace.

Project Scoring

Each team's project will be evaluated by a panel of judges in the following categories:

1. The idea (Is it good?) - 10pts
2. Design (Does it look good?) - 10pts
3. Functionality (Does it work well?) - 10pts
4. Originality (Is it unique?)- 10pts
5. Viability (Could the project become a real product?) - 10pts
6. Simplicity (Can the project be clearly explained in a few sentences?) - 10pts

The four quarterfinalists will be given the chance to present their project to the whole group at the end of the day on Sunday the 1st.

A semifinalist from each division will be selected and named at the end of the event.
The two semifinalists will be given the opportunity to present their projects at the 2017 VR Bash, where the Grand Prize Winner will be announced.

Judges begin review on Sunday (Specific timing is dependent on the number of participants)

Quarterfinalists announced and present at 11:30 PM

Semifinalists named at the end of the Immerse-a-thon between 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm.

In the case of a tie, the team with the highest score in the category "could the project become a real product" will be declared winner. If the finalists tie once again, two independent judges not involved in the original judging process will be called upon to evaluate the projects.

For more information please contact Chuck Westerberg

chuck@idahovirtualreality.com