(No, we're not sure what falling half-naked men in green shorts have to do with video game showcases either..)

The second edition of the Level Up Program (LUP) was announced today by the organizers of Game Connection (GC), neither of which are to be confused with the Level Up Charity Games Competition and the Game Developer Conference. Also, Dare to be Digital (D2BD) is receiving the full support of Rockstar North, developers of the Grand Theft Auto series. D2BD will take place August 13 in Edinburgh, while LUP will run November 5-7 in Lyon.

What the two shows are about is helping new talented developers and service providers with "limited means" get a leg-up in the industry. Anyone who's interested in the inner workings of it at all probably knows how tough can be, especially these days, to, first, get in the industry, and second, to be successful in it. So it seems, the game industry can be a pretty homely place sometimes, where studios look out for each other, new and old alike.

The Level Up Program

Five selected companies, chosen by the GC Advisory Board, will get the very unique opportunity to exhibit their work for free (a value of € 3,500) and to present their games and/or services to the "greatest buyers in the industry" and the next Game Connection Europe. The requirements for companies is they must be less then two years old, be independent and never previously have attended GC. The board is focused on one main thing: Innovation. It's said they'll be "especially looking for companies showing a deep understanding and vision of the industry’s needs, out-of-the-box thinking and risk-taking." And new this year, the winners will be accomodated a closed meeting room just like every other exhibitor.

“The Level Up program is one of the best things that ever happened to us as a company. It totally boosted our business. Six months later, projects are being offered to us on a weekly basis”, says Vedran Klanac, CEO of Ocean Media LLC (one of last year's winners, who were later named an official Nintendo DS developer).

Dare to be Digital

This one is touted as the "world's leading games design competition for students", organized and promoted by the University of Abertay Dundee. Roughly 100 teams applied this year, of which 17 teams were selected to compete.

The focus here is to encourage and foster new talent for the computer games industry, and Rockstar North are behind that mission:

“We have watched the growth of Dare to be Digital over the years," a Rockstar representative commented, "And we have always been impressed with the quality of talent the competition attracts and helps to nurture. In fact, we ourselves have made several successful hires from among previous contestants, who have all contributed to our thriving creative community of developers from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities.”

Paul Durrant of Abertay University is welcoming the announcement of Rockstar's support:

“We are very pleased that Rockstar North is supporting Dare to be Digital 2008. The quality of their work is recognised throughout the worldwide computer games industry, and I am sure that our contestants will be thrilled to take part in a competition endorsed by such a well-respected developer. Just like Rockstar, everyone involved with Dare to be Digital is eagerly anticipating an even higher standard of work from this year’s contestants, and now with Rockstar North’s support we will be able to celebrate that talent and achievement with a truly spectacular awards ceremony.”

This year brings something a little new, too: anyone can track a team's progress through the official site, and members of the public can vote for their favourites.