Have you ever played a video game and wondered how it’s made? Do you think you have the next great video game idea? Did you know that coding AND visual arts go into creating a game?

Whether you’re an experienced coder, or just learning, we want YOU to participate in the ESA Foundation Lumberyard Hackathon presented by Amazon Games. Join us for a full day of exploration and programming on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at The Alley powered by Verizon 5G in Washington, DC. Participants will work in teams to create working versions of their own video game ideas!

Here is how it all goes down: You will spend a portion of the day with experts at Amazon Games learning about Lumberyard’s Script Canvas, a platform for game design which utilizes “drag and drop” assets (i.e. characters, objects, item manipulations). Then, you’ll have the chance to brainstorm within a group new game ideas and spend the rest of the hack bringing it to life!.

The Hackathon will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 8 AM to 8 PM ET: 

  • 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM ET: Participant arrival, check-in and breakfast
  • 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET: Introductions; team assignments; workshop on Script Canvas and Lumberyard
  • 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET: Hackathon competition period (lunch and snacks will be made available to participants during this period)
  • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET: Dinner; presentations; judging; award ceremony

Your team will be formed with up to four (4) participants with access to on-site expert “hackers” [AKA the judges] to help you throughout the creating process. By the end of the day, your team will present a five (5) minute demo of your video game to be evaluated by a panel of judges. 

Space is limited! Only one hundred (100) individual participant slots are available. Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. If you register after all the spaces have been allocated, you will be assigned a waiting list number and may be called to participate if someone is deemed ineligible or drops out. 

Eligibility

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible to enter and participate in the Hackathon, you must:

  • be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States;
  • be willing and able to travel to Washington, DC at your own expense to participate in the Hackathon on-site;
  • be currently enrolled in and attending an accredited high school or undergraduate degree program;
  • on October 19, 2019, arrive at the co-working space powered by Verizon, the Alley, located at 2055 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 (“Hackathon Location”), no later than 8:45 AM ET, and remain on-site until 8:00 PM ET or the end of the Hackathon event, whichever is earlier;
  • complete and submit during the Application Period (as defined in these Official Rules below) the application form for the Hackathon as provided by Sponsor (or if you are below the age of majority in your state of legal residence, your parent or legal guardian must complete and submit the application form for the Hackathon as provided by Sponsor, which requires signature by your parent or legal guardian to provide consent for your participation in the Hackathon);
  • accept and adhere to these Official Rules (or if you are below the age of majority in your state of legal residence, your parent or legal guardian must accept and adhere to these Official Rules on his/her and your behalf);
  • sign and submit to Sponsor the Prize Documents as defined in these Official Rules below (or if you are below the age of majority in your state of residence, your parent or legal guardian must sign and submit the Prize Documents as defined in these Official Rules below on your behalf); and
  • Entries must be completed and submitted no later than October 19, 2019 at 6:00 PM ET.

Requirements

HOW TO ENTER

  1. Let us know you’re interested! Apply at this link by Friday, October 18, 2019 at 11:30 PM ET.
  2. Watch your email for acceptance and additional information. Please note that space is limited to 100 participants to ensure maximum collaboration and time, should you want it, with our on-site experts.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$4,000 in prizes

Concept Prize (12)

Each member of three teams, across concept categories: best use of motion, most functional game, and "bowl of spaghetti" containing up to four members will each receive one gift card worth $100.

Honorable Mention (12)

Each member of up to three teams containing up to fourmembers will each receive a gift card worth $150. Winning team will be selected across all teams and judging criteria.

Grand Prize (4)

Each member of one team containing up to fourmembers will each receive a gift card worth $250. Winning team will be selected across all teams and judging criteria.

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

John R. Diaz

John R. Diaz
Technical Game Designer, Amazon

Pablo Castillo

Pablo Castillo

Alex Eusman

Alex Eusman
GameLift Service, Amazon

Kelley Hecker

Kelley Hecker
Gameplay Engineer, Amazon Game Studios

Alex Peterson

Alex Peterson
Senior Field Engineer, Amazon

Laura Puerto

Laura Puerto
Software Engineer, Amazon

Alyson Szymanski

Alyson Szymanski
Senior Technical Producer, Amazon Game Studios

Judging Criteria

  • Drawing In Players
    How well does the game attract players to want to try it?
  • "Wow" Factor
    How well does the game hold the player's attention span?
  • Accessibility
    Is the game intuitive and easy to learn?
  • Completion and Scope
    Is the game completed during the Hackathon Period and able to be demonstrated?
  • Use of Motion
    How well does the game use motion/math functions?
  • Functionality
    How well do all elements of the game work together?
  • “Bowl of Spaghetti”
    How well does the game function in the absence of structured source code?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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