All-in-one web3 game development platform Sequence and AI-powered marketplace for game dev tools NeuraNode have officially kicked off the Avalanche Game Jam, sponsored by the Avalanche blockchain that is home to popular extraction battle royale Off The Grid.

What Is the Avalanche Game Jam?

The Avalanche Game Jam (or the NeuraNode Game Jam) is a community contest that challenges game developers of all skill levels to come up with innovative web3-powered games by leveraging the Avalanche network while utilizing free tools provided by the event’s partners, such as Sequence’s development stack and NeuraNode’s AI-based offerings.

By participating, you’re not only competing for rewards, but you’re also getting a great opportunity to try out and learn to use a variety of innovative technologies that could possibly be very useful in creating high-quality blockchain gaming experiences. These development tools are free to use during this event, and free education on these partner products is also provided. You can make use of groundbreaking APIs, SDKs, and more tools to help you easily integrate blockchain tech and blockchain-related features into your game, such as NFTs, on-chain gameplay mechanics, and more. Overall, it’s a great way to test your skills and learn more about web3 game development.

Next to Sequence and NeuraNode, the event features various other partners, including Aethir, Whalepass, Beamable, Linea, and more.

How to Participate and Earn Prizes in the Avalanche Game Jam

Aside from creating something unique with the tools provided, there is no specific theme when it comes to the type of game you’d like to make. So long as your submission integrates blockchain technology in a new way, your game is good to go. You need to build your game on Avalanche though, while usage of partner tools is totally optional (if you only care about the first track). This is also a fully online game jam, so anyone can participate for a chance at winning up to $19k in prizes!

To participate, you need to register through NeuraNode’s official website. This can be done for free, and the entire event is fully online and available for all game developers. You can choose to go solo or work in teams (each participant needs to register), and you have to be at least 18 years old to participate. Anyone under 18 will need parental or guardian consent. Check out the terms and conditions to learn more.

This game jam started on February 3rd and will end on March 3rd. By participating, you are competing for a share of the $19k prize pool. This reward pool is split across 3 different tracks. Each one is unique, with different judging criteria and reward distribution.

The first track is the main and biggest one, and that one is about building a game on Avalanche. This can mean creating an entirely new game from scratch or adapting an existing one. Partner tools can be used, but you don’t have to. Submissions will be judged based on blockchain integration, gameplay & innovation, technical execution, user experience, and scalability & potential. The prize pool for this track is $10,000. It’s divided in the following way:

  • 1st – $5,000
  • 2nd – $2,500
  • 3rd – $1,500
  • 4th - 6th – $500, $250, $250

The second track is called “Small actions - Big consequences”. The goal here is to explore “the power of chain reactions”. This could include making small narrative choices that lead to huge consequences. It’s up to you whether you want to show chain reactions through storytelling, game mechanics, or on-chain economies. You will need to use partner technologies for this track, as that makes up 25% of the judging criteria. Other aspects judges will consider include chain reaction mechanics, gameplay & fun factor, creativity & innovation, art & presentation, and narrative & world-building. Participants compete for a $4000 reward pool in this one, distributed to the top 5 entries:

  • 1st – $1,800
  • 2nd – $1,200
  • 3rd – $500
  • 4th - 5th – $250 each

The last track is actually a bonus one that doesn’t seem to require developing a web3 game. Instead, it’s actually a community leaderboard that rewards participants for being active, bringing referrals, completing educational modules, and more. Climb the leaderboard by earning points from varied activities for a chance at earning a share of its $5000 reward pool, that is split as follows:

  • 1st – $1,000
  • 2nd - 3rd – $400 each
  • 4th - 7th – $200 each
  • 8th - 10th – $100 each
  • 11th - 20th – $50 each
  • Ambassadors – $1,000 (Awarded to early community members on an ad-hoc basis!)

Be sure to check out the Avalanche Game Jam’s itch.io page to learn more about each track.