Game Trust has announced that it has selected five finalists for their “Casual Game Evolution Challenge,” co-sponsored by shockwave.com and Macromedia.

The contest was launched prior to the Game Developers Conference and was open to any game developer who wanted to enter. The contest’s objective was to have developers create the best possible single-player experence for online, tournament and download play. However the games had to be for Shockwave only.

According to a press release by Game Trust the five finalists are

“* DigiPet: Munch Madness, by Mockworld Games (www.mockworld.com): A spectacular 3D Pac-Man variant, where players shoot and dodge gun-wielding trolls while collecting cookies.

* Writer’s Block, by Blockdot (www.blockdot.com): A fast-paced
word game where players twist and rotate a lettered and cubed surface to
form words.

* Dodge That Anvil!, by RabidLab (www.rabidlab.com): A 3D game
where players dodge anvils and use dynamite, magnets, and other fun
objects to help harvest and collect food.

* Johnny and Tommy, by Nikitova (www.nikitova.com): A unique and
fun old-school western shooter where players chase and defeat robbers to retrieve a loved hostage.

* Oshiro, by Walking Ideas Inc. (www.walkingideas.com): A beautiful and utterly addictive Japanese-themed puzzle game that has both single and multiplayer game play.

The five finalists will be awarded Game Trust licensing contracts with a
revenue share and guaranteed distribution to millions of casual game
players worldwide including an exclusive premiere on Shockwave.com. The Grand Prize winner, who will be announced March 28th, will also receive a specially modified, high end Vespa. “