Games are not just entertainment, but a whole world of creativity, technology, and emotions. That is why the programming school invites all game development enthusiasts to participate in GameDev — a vibrant hackathon where teams create their own game from scratch in 72 hours!

Theme and idea

GameDev brings together developers, artists, designers, and scriptwriters to create a game prototype on a given theme. The main thing is not the complexity of the code, but the originality of the idea, the atmosphere, and the exciting gameplay.

The hackathon theme is announced on the day of the start so that all participants are on equal footing.

It could be something like:

  • “Time Travel”
  • “The Future Through 8 Bits”
  • “A Day in the Life of a Hero”
  • “Collective strength”

Project examples

  • A 2D platformer with programming tutorial elements.
  • A pixel shooter about protecting the ecosystem.
  • A mini-RPG where the player controls a robot student.
  • A quest where the plot depends on the player’s decisions.

Hackathon program

Day 1 — Start and creativity

  • Registration and getting to know the participants.
  • Welcome speech by the organizers and announcement of the theme.
  • Brainstorming ideas, creating a scenario and characters.
  • Division of roles: programmers, artists, sound designers, scriptwriters.
  • Evening lecture: “How to make a game that is exciting from the very first seconds.”

Day 2 — Development

  • Work on the game prototype.
  • Adjusting mechanics, graphics, and sounds.
  • Mentoring sessions on code and design.
  • Mini-contest “The Most Unusual Bug of the Day.”

Day 3 — Finals and Show Presentations

  • Final refinement and testing.
  • Preparation of pitch and trailer (optional).
  • Presentation of games to the jury and participants.
  • Audience voting for “favorite game.”
  • Awarding of winners and festive closing ceremony.

Nominations

  • Best Game (Grand Prix) — for overall quality and originality.
  • Best Gameplay — for interesting game mechanics.
  • Best Visual Style — for graphics and design.
  • Best Soundtrack — for music and sound design.
  • Audience Choice Award — based on the results of the participants’ vote.

Who can participate

The hackathon is open to anyone interested in game development:

  • Students and novice developers;
  • artists and designers;
  • screenwriters and composers;
  • anyone who wants to try their hand at creating a game.

Teams are formed in advance or on the spot to bring together people with different skills.

By Hackathons