Orange County has its own industry of mobile developers (including local university programs) so I’d like to see one of them win the grand prize for the best iPhone game this year. The contest, held during the Independent Games Festival, is part of the Game Developers Conference every spring.

Competition should be tough since this annual event uses judges who are game developers themselves. That makes it one of the more prestigious awards in the gaming industry. 

But winning doesn’t mean the game will be an instant hit. Last year’s winner Critter Crunch, which costs $7.99 at iTunes, got a ton of coverage but it’s not among the top-100 paid apps in the iTunes Apps store. 

The contest is sponsored by iPhone game publisher ngmoco and Think Services, organizers of GDC.   

Independent game developers are encouraged to enter by Nov. 17. And games already available on iTunes are allowed. Submit your game HERE. Finalists will be invited to San Francisco during the Game Developers Convention to demonstrate their games on the show floor. Winners will be announced at a special IGF Mobile awards ceremony during GDC. Up to $30,000 in prizes will be rewarded.

A few more factoids about the contest HERE.

Related OC games:

• Apple’s iTunes store adds Line Rider
• Line Rider coming to an iPhone near you
• Video: Line Rider creator picks up award
• Game plan: go online
• GDC has OC presence 

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