About the Challenge
Level up your gameplay, level up the world. Build a game for social good. We challenge you to build a game that makes the world a little better, whether by raising awareness, teaching a new skill, challenging misconceptions, or helping people see a real-world problem differently.
Your game can be funny, competitive, story-driven, or strategic. We're looking for thoughtful ideas, creative execution, and a clear reason your game matters.
Every game needs three things: * Accessibility: Make it beginner-friendly so players can jump in without a lengthy tutorial. * Usability: Keep the controls intuitive and the interface easy to navigate. * Purpose: Connect your gameplay to a real-world issue or a positive social outcome.
Themes Pick one of the following words as your creative starting point. You can interpret your chosen theme however you like, combine themes, or take your game in an entirely different direction. These are prompts, not restrictions.
Requirements & Submission Build a playable game that promotes social good by addressing a real-world issue. Your game must be beginner-friendly, easy to navigate, and connected to a clear social purpose. Submit all three of the following through Devpost: * Source code: Upload your code or provide a link to a repository containing it. * Demo video: Include a screen recording showing how your game works with a voiceover strongly recommended. * Project description: Write 3–4 sentences explaining what your game does, which real-world issue it addresses, and how it promotes social good.
Eligibility & Dates Open to all high school students ages 14–18. The contest opens on 10/14, with submissions due by 10/28 and results released by 10/31.
Prizes The winning project receives a $50 prize and a certificate.
Judging Criteria Projects are evaluated out of 100 points across four categories: * Social Impact (35 points): Does the game address a meaningful real-world issue and help players learn or build empathy? * Coding & Implementation (30 points): Does the game function as intended with technical effort and thoughtful implementation? * User Experience & Accessibility (20 points): Is the game intuitive, beginner-friendly, and easy to navigate? * Creativity & Originality (15 points): Does the game offer an interesting approach with engaging mechanics or storytelling?
The project with the highest total score wins. In the event of a tie, the project with the higher Social Impact score ranks first.