Avalanche | NeuraNode Game Jam - $19k in cash prizes!

Whether you're an experienced developer or new to game development, this event offers an inclusive environment where everyone can participate, learn, and compete. Enhance your game, improve its profitability, all while leveraging free tools on the NeuraNode marketplace!

Registration - IMPORTANT

To participate fully in the NeuraNode | Avalanche Game Jam, register on our official website: https://www.neuranode.io/

While you can also sign up on Itch.io, all submissions, educational resources, and opportunities to earn points toward community prizes will be hosted on our website.

Be sure to join our Discord for updates, event details, and support throughout the jam! https://discord.gg/He2W33arsP

Also, follow us on X for regular updates regarding the event! https://x.com/neuranode_io

Don’t miss out on the full experience—secure your spot today and unlock everything the jam has to offer!

Tracks and Prizes

💰 $19,000 Prize Pool Up for Grabs!

Three unique prize tracks reward game developers, AI testers, and engaged community members. Whether you're building on Avalanche, integrating tools, providing AI feedback, or dominating the community leaderboard, there’s a prize for you!

🎮 Track 1 - Bring/Build a Game on Avalanche ($10,000)

This track is all about building a game on Avalanche—whether it’s a brand-new project or an adaptation of an existing one.

🚀 You can use our partner tools (Sequence, Aethir, WhalePass), but it’s completely optional. The key focus is leveraging Avalanche as your gaming platform.

Judging Criteria - Track 1

🔹 Avalanche Integration (30%) – How well does the game utilize Avalanche’s blockchain features? Does it effectively demonstrate on-chain gameplay, assets, or mechanics?
🔹 Gameplay & Innovation (25%) – Is the game fun, engaging, and unique? Does it introduce fresh ideas or creative mechanics?
🔹 Technical Execution (20%) – Is the game well-built, functional, and free of major bugs? How well does it handle smart contract interactions (if applicable)?
🔹 User Experience (15%) – How smooth is the gameplay and blockchain interaction for players? Is there a good onboarding flow for new users?
🔹 Scalability & Potential (10%) – Can the game grow into a larger project post-jam? Does it have market potential or replayability?

Prize Breakdown ($10,000)
🥇 1st – $5,000
🥈 2nd – $2,500
🥉 3rd – $1,500
🏅 4th - 6th – $500, $250, $250

🛠 Track 2 - Small actions - Big consequences ($4,000)

In this track of the NeuraNode Game Jam, we’re challenging developers to explore the power of chain reactions - Where small actions ripple into massive consequences. Whether it’s through game mechanics, storytelling, physics-based interactions, or decentralized economies, your creations will showcase the unpredictable, the unstoppable, and the inevitable. How will your chain reaction unfold?

Will it be a domino effect of choices, a cascading economic system, or an evolving world that responds to every player’s touch?

Judging Criteria - Track 2

1. Use of Partner Technologies (25%)

How effectively does the game integrate Avalanche, Aethir, Sequence, or Whalepass?
Are blockchain, decentralized assets, smart contracts, or cloud gaming features used in a meaningful way?
Does the integration enhance gameplay rather than feel forced?

2. Chain Reaction Mechanics (25%)

How well does the game incorporate the theme of small actions leading to big consequences?
Are cause-and-effect mechanics engaging and well-designed?
Does the game provide a sense of progression, unexpected outcomes, or emergent gameplay?

3. Gameplay & Fun Factor (15%)

Is the game enjoyable and rewarding to play?
Are the mechanics well-balanced and intuitive?
Does it encourage strategic thinking, experimentation, or replayability?

4. Creativity & Innovation (10%)

Is the game unique and original in its approach to the theme?
Are there creative gameplay mechanics, visual styles, or storytelling techniques?
Does it bring a fresh perspective to blockchain or cloud-powered gaming?

5. Technical Execution (10%)

Is the game technically sound with smooth performance and minimal bugs?
Are blockchain interactions and backend systems working reliably?
Does it demonstrate strong development skills?

6. Art & Presentation (5%)

Is the game visually appealing, with a clear and polished UI/UX?
Does it have sound design, animations, or visual effects that enhance the experience?

7. Narrative & World-Building (5%)

Does the game create a compelling world or story around the chain reaction theme?
Are there interesting characters, lore, or meaningful choices?

Prize Breakdown ($4,000)

🥇 1st – $1,800

🥈 2nd – $1,200

🥉 3rd – $500

🏅 4th - 5th – $250 each

🌟 Bonus Track Community Leaderboard ($5,000)

Your participation matters! Earn rewards by being active, sharing insights, completing educational modules, and engaging in Discord.

How to Earn Points on the Community Leaderboard

✅ Referring friends – 25 points per referral
✅ Referral bonuses – 2x points for every 10+ referrals, 4x points for every 50+ referrals
✅ Winning referrals – 100 bonus points if your referral wins a prize
✅ Staying active – We will award points for people we see helping others in the Discord!
✅ Completing educational modules – 30 points per correct answer
✅ Ad-hoc bonuses – Special challenges, participation, and contributions
✅ Feedback Impact - Share your experience with NeuraNode’s AI bot, Avalanche, and partner tools to help us improve and win a prize.

Prize Breakdown ($5000)
🥇 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!)

Your leaderboard ranking determines your share of the $5,000 community prize pool—so engage, learn, and refer to climb the ranks!

Educational Modules

We believe in empowering developers with the proper knowledge and resources to succeed. Most tools provided in this Game Jam will be accompanied by an educational module to ensure you understand how to build with it properly.

Each module can include a quiz that will test the participant's understanding and reward them with Game Jam points towards community prizes.

Eligibility

The NeuraNode | Avalanche Game Jam is open to all developers, regardless of experience level or background. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to game development, you’re welcome to participate.

Individuals and teams can join, but each participant must register individually. Participants must be at least 18 years old or have parental/guardian consent if under 18. Ensure you have access to the required tools and resources to maximize your experience.

Let your creativity shine—everyone is invited to innovate, learn, and compete!

Winners will be invited to a mandatory video call where their prizes will be revealed.

Enquiries

Any question, can be sent to contact@neuranode.io in the email title make sure to mention "GAME JAM QUESTION:" so we can answer you as promptly as possible.

Also, please don't forget to join our Discord server, we will have lots of community events in there, updates, and opportunities to gain points towards community prizes! Use this link to join: https://discord.gg/He2W33arsP

About the Sponsor: Avalanche

Avalanche is a super-fast and easy-to-use blockchain that helps you build and grow your games. It’s designed to handle tons of activity at once, so your players never have to wait. With Avalanche, you can even create your own custom blockchain that works smoothly with others, whether your game is for everyone or just a small niche. No complicated tech—just a powerful foundation to bring your game ideas to life!

What is NeuraNode?

NeuraNode is an innovative tool aggregator and local-code marketplace powered by AI to solve various pain points for game developers and tool providers. We make finding the right tools for your build, and integrating them a breeze. While our AI makes it quick and easy for developers to productize dead code sitting on the shelves. We're still building out our platform, but look forward to making life easier, and more profitable, for game developers for years to come.