We are thrilled to introduce our latest challenge, the "Create & Play Developer Challenge." This exciting event invites you to explore the all-new Niantic Studio, an intuitive, powerful visual editor designed to simplify the creation of immersive WebXR and 3D games. Running from August 5th to September 30th, this challenge offers developers a unique opportunity to showcase their creativity and technical skills while competing for a chance to win from a $10,000 prize pool.

Niantic Studio transforms the web game development process, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels. By providing a visual interface, it bridges the gap between ideation and realization, enabling real-time feedback and simplifying complex development tasks. Whether you're a seasoned developer or new to web game and WebXR development, Niantic Studio offers the tools you need to bring your creative visions to life.

Prizes Totaling $10,000

We're offering a range of prizes to celebrate the best submissions, including a Grand Prize of $3,000 for the most outstanding game.

Additional Prizes

• Three Best Face Effects Game Prizes of $500 each awarded to the game that creatively integrates face effects for an engaging player experience.
• Three Best Use of Niantic Studio Prizes of $500 each awarded to the game that makes the most effective and creative use of the new Niantic Studio visual editor.
• Three Best Outdoor AR Game Prizes of $500 each awarded to the game that makes the best use of outdoor environments, encouraging physical activity and exploration.
• Three Innovative Gameplay Award Prizes of $500 each awarded to the game with the most unique and imaginative mechanics.
• Four Honorable Mention Prizes of $250 each for notable submissions that impress our judges.

Kickstart Your Journey

The challenge kicks off with the "Info + Ideation" event on August 6th, where you'll learn about the challenge requirements and judging criteria. Amanda Whitt will provide an overview of Niantic Studio, and we'll host an ideation session to help you brainstorm and develop your game ideas. Following this, join our "Niantic Studio Workshop: Game Mechanic Basics" on August 13th, led by Jameka March, to learn how to add new mechanics to your games. Finally, don't miss "Behind the Build: Creating Dragon Dash in Niantic Studio" on August 20th, where Declan Johnson will share insights into his web game development process as he built Dagon Dash in Niantic Studio.

Judging Criteria 

Submissions will be evaluated based on four key criteria:

• Gameplay: How engaging and enjoyable is the game? Are the mechanics intuitive and immersive?
• Innovation and Creativity: Does the game introduce unique and original ideas? Is it creatively compelling?
• Niantic Mission: Does the game align with Niantic’s mission of exploring the world together?
• Completeness: Is the submission a complete and polished experience, or just a prototype?