Sony Online Entertainment LLC today announced that Julia Brasil of San Francisco has won the 2008 G.I.R.L. Game Design Competition. The competition was the first of its kind and was promoted in conjunction with The Art Institutes system of schools, to encourage students toward career paths in the creative and applied arts, ultimately resulting in the development of games that are more interesting for women to play.

Brasil, a student in the Game Art & Design program, was awarded a $10,000 tuition scholarship toward her education at The Art Institute of California - San Francisco and a paid internship of up to 10 weeks at the Sony Online Entertainment studios of her choice in Austin, Denver, San Diego or Seattle.

"I am shocked and overjoyed to be the first G.I.R.L. Scholarship recipient," said Brasil. "I’m really looking forward to my internship with SOE, and getting some hands-on experience at such a well-known company. It’s such a great opportunity."

Brasil was one of nearly 100 applicants vying for the winning title of the 2008 SOE G.I.R.L. Game Design Competition. In order to become the winner, Brasil had to submit an in-game design, original concept art and two essays.

"We believe our groundbreaking G.I.R.L. scholarship can give Julia the foundation she needs to pursue a successful career in the video games business. SOE is thrilled to jumpstart the first step in pursuing her goals," said Torrie Dorrell, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "We anticipate G.I.R.L. continuing to evolve and snowball, creating even more opportunities for women to get behind these games."

Due to the popularity of the initiative, SOE will make official G.I.R.L -- Gamers In Real Life -- T-shirts available for purchase sometime this summer. For more information about G.I.R.L., go to girl.soe.com.