Abbreviation CS Games Website csgames.org | Occur every 1 year | |
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First event McGill University, 2003 | ||
The CS Games (Computer Science Games) is an annual computer science competition that includes challenges form all aspects of computing. Organized by students from different university every year, the competition typically attracts more than 30 teams (between 6 and 10 members per team) from universities from across North America, but primarily from Canada and northeastern United States. It is open to undergraduate students majoring in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering and related fields.
Contents
History
Due to a lack of collegial competition in the computer technology field in 2003, a group of students from McGill University (Denis Lebel, Olivier Hébert, Marc Lanctot, Julian Wolfson, Marc Boscher, Alexandre Denault, and Miriam Zia) created the CS Games that combined a dozen 3-hour academic and social competitions.
After 2004, the event had grown beyond a McGill organized event. It was decided that any university could host the CS Games. A different university would be chosen each year. Since then, the competitions have been held in Québec City (Université Laval ’05, ’13), in Montréal (École de technologie supérieure ’06, McGill University ’07, Université de Montréal ’09, Polytechnique ’10, Concordia University ’11), in Sherbrooke (Université de Sherbrooke ’08) and in Winnipeg (University of Manitoba ’12).
In 2006, it was decided a permanent CS Games Council consisting of ex-organizers would be created to select and coach hosting committees.
2012 edition was the 10th anniversary of the event. It was hosted by University of Manitoba.
After 2012, a new logo and branding was created for the CS Games.
Permanent council
In 2006, a CS Games Council has been created as a NPO (non-profit organization) to select each organizing committees. This council consist of volunteers from previous CS Games organizers. The council focus on projects to make the event bigger every year while supporting the organizing committees.
The current council includes:
Honorary members:
Competitions
The competitions are primarily focused on theoretical computer science, computer programming and socials aspects, but also include other competitions such as sports. There were eight competitions at the inaugural event in 2003: "Brain Burning" algorithmic design, scripting, debugging, AI programming, web design, scavenger hunt, volleyball and other sports, and LAN gaming. The list of events can vary every year.
Participations
The CS Games are open to any university. Many universities are recurring participants to the event. Usually, university can register up to 1 or 2 teams of 10 students. For the 2013 edition, up to 3 teams can be register from the same school.
Trophies and awards
The CS Games committee presents an trophy for every competition. The most prestigious team award is the CS Cup, which is awarded to the team that has the most points in the overall results, all competitions combined.
There's also some fun made-up awards, in example, sleeper award, lost password most often, best costume or best sponsor giveaway; however, these are only mentioned at the closing ceremony, no trophies are given.
Flashouts
One of CS Games' greatest tradition is the presentation of Flash Out videos from each participating universities at the opening ceremonies. Participation points are given for the best videos.
Participating points
The event also reward points on the overall result for networking with other schools, presence at parties, school cheering and overall likability.
Closing ceremony
On the last day of the event, every participating students reunite in a banquet to be presented the winners of each event and the final result of the competition.