GameDev.net has announced their fifth annual Four Elements Game Programming Contest. If you're not familiar with this contest, every year they come up with four different "elements" that you have to use in a game.

This year the elements are Emotion, Emblem, Economics, and Europe. Entries must use all four of these elements. Entries are due November 30, 2006. So far there aren't a lot of prizes, but hopefully more will be added later.

There are very few limitations on the entries in this contest. Basically, they just have to work on a Windows PC. They can be written in any language -- C++, Java, Flash, etc. and can use any framework you like -- DirectX, OpenGL, SDL, etc.

If you're interested in game programming contests, you might also want to look at the Ludum Dare 48H Contest and the 72 Hour GDC. These contests focus more on making a game in a short amount of time -- 2 or 3 days.

Let me know if you enter any of these contests. I'd love to feature your entry here.