Organisers behind 2012's Develop Brighton conference have opened the gates for entries for the event's second annual Indie Showcase competition.

The contest is designed to highlight unpublished, independently developed games chosen by "a panel of industry experts", with the two day event – running from 11-12 July – culminating with the unveiling of an outright winner.

Awards for all

This year will also see a new Editors' Choice award adding to the existing People's Choice category, with both winners being announced on the final day.

The developers behind the ten games shortlisted for the Showcase will win two Indie Dev Day conference passes worth £190, up to five passes for the entire expo, and what organiser Tandem Events bills as "valuable pre-event publicity", including a profile on the Develop Brighton website.

Last year saw The Swapper by Facepalm Games (see below) come out on top at the inaugural event, with founder Olli Harjola branding the competition a "great experience and a great opportunity."

Submit to succeed

"We never expected to win the Indie Showcase when we entered," said Harjola.

"I'd absolutely encourage any indies out there to give it a try and submit their game."

Entry to the Showcase is open to indie studios with no more than 15 people on board, with the game itself non-publisher funded and created with a development budget of less than £1 million.

"It's essential the game has been created in the 'indie spirit'," added Tandem in a statement.

More details can be found on the Develop Conference website, with entries needing to be completed by 14 May.

Develop Brighton itself will kick off on 10 July.