We are thrilled to present the Niantic Studio Create & Play Developer Challenge winners—a celebration of innovation, creativity, and community engagement. Over the past few months, developers across the globe have shown their incredible talent and passion for building immersive and fun web gaming experiences using Niantic Studio. With a wide range of submissions, from face-tracking rhythm games to location-based XR experiences to splatified adventures, participants pushed the boundaries of what's with Niantic Studio’s WebXR and 3D Web tools.

The Create & Play Challenge was designed to empower developers to express their creativity and bring unique gaming experiences to life, leveraging the diverse capabilities of Niantic Studio. Participants were equipped with a wealth of resources through our challenge programming sessions. We hosted workshops and deep dives, providing hands-on support to help developers bring their projects to life. 

Let’s take a closer look at the standout projects that have captured the judges' attention and showcased the limitless potential of our platform.

🏆 Grand Prize Winner: Gremlin Grab by Alan Hart and Josien Vos (Wonderment by Design)

Inspired by the classic "Duck Hunt" game, Gremlin Grab reinvents the concept with an exciting AR twist. Players must physically move around in the real world to charge up their mana, then aim to banish mischievous gremlins scattered throughout their surroundings. This engaging experience seamlessly blends digital interaction with physical movement, offering a refreshing and dynamic AR adventure.

🌍 Best Real-World Game 

For this category, there were three prizes awarded: 

Super Snail by Emma Simpson

This 3D adventure game uses Gaussian splats and real-world navigation to guide a groovy snail through an interactive environment. With charming visuals and intuitive controls, Super Snail invites players to explore a playful world.

Stag Hunter by Kum Peng Han and Tong Xin Jo

Set in a realistic forest environment created with Gaussian Splats, Stag Hunter is a sniper-style game that leverages face tracking and splat technology to offer an immersive hunting experience. Players must carefully aim to hunt a stag while exploring the lush forest setting.

BloomCraft: Garden Guardians by Liuchuan Yu, Yvie Zhang, Manuel Rebol, and Hurriyet Ok

BloomCraft: Garden Guardians combines AR gameplay with nature education, allowing players to plant seeds, watch flowers grow, and protect their garden from pests. This interactive experience is a delightful blend of digital gardening and environmental awareness.

🎮 Best Use of Niantic Studio 

For this category, there were three prizes awarded: 

Lost in the Woods by Sarai Cibrian & Stephanie Meza 
Navigate a low-poly maze in search of the party with "Purple Guy" in Lost in the Woods. With intuitive controls and charming visual design, this maze exploration game is a mix of puzzles and adventure while providing a calming experience. 

Highway Swayers by Kum Peng Han and Tong Xin Jo 
Inspired by classic arcade games, Highway Swayers is a high-speed, infinite runner where players steer a car to avoid obstacles and collect fuel. The game features a timer mechanic and dynamic visuals, adding layers of challenge and excitement.

Frozen Coin Hunt by Alexandre Di Guuida 

In Frozen Coin Hunt, guide Captain Doty across a frozen floor, avoiding angry iced mushrooms while collecting gold coins as fast as possible. The game offers multiple difficulty levels, making it suitable for players of all skill levels.

🥇 Best Face Effects

Sushi Drop Beats by Saul Pena Gamero and Mackenzie Li 
Combines rhythm-based gameplay with creative face filters. This interactive experience requires players to tilt their heads to "eat" falling sushi at the right time. Inspired by rhythm games and social media filters, this game rewards players for precise movements and keeps them coming back to improve their scores.

Tilt Pinball by Kum Peng Han and Tong Xin Jo
Using Niantic Studio’s Face Effects for head-tilt controls, Tilt Pinball replicates the excitement of a traditional pinball machine in AR. With custom animations and unique physics mechanics, the game offers a nostalgic yet novel twist, inviting players to use face gestures to control the flippers and score points.

Shop Heads by Mark Cristobal 

Combines Face Effects with a fun, fast-paced game mechanic. Players must tilt their heads to match a character’s food craving with the correct restaurant. The game features randomized cravings and tracks the player’s score, making it a great casual game for all ages.

🔍 Innovative Gameplay 

For this category, there were three prizes awarded: 

Fishing Bubbles by Lauren Schroeder 
Using Face Effects and head tilt, Fishing Bubbles challenges players to blow bubbles and catch fish in a whimsical AR environment. The simple mechanics and intuitive controls make it a relaxing yet engaging experience.

Face Hero by Sergio Camilo Medina Galvis and Steven Vinicio Jacho Tutín 
Inspired by rhythm games, Face Hero uses Face Effects to sync player expressions with the beat of the music. Players score points by mimicking expressions, making it a unique and expressive rhythm-based game.

Cat Cooking VR by Emilio Martinez 

Step into the paws of a culinary cat in this fast-paced cooking simulation game! Players must chop, grill, and serve dishes quickly to satisfy their feline customers. The game offers a fun, frantic experience with a charming cat chef.

🎖 Honorable Mentions

• Coin of the Wild created by Holland Sangster
• CUBIC created by Sergio Camilo Medina Galvis
• New Age Kids in IO created by Divakar Sarika
• Sky to the Rescue created by Libardo Martinez

Congratulations to all the winners and participants of the Create & Play Challenge! This has been our best challenge yet, with the judges truly blown away by the quality and creativity of the submissions. Each submission has highlighted the endless possibilities of what developers can create with Niantic Studio, and we are truly excited to see how the community will continue to innovate in the future. 

To help us make the next challenge even better, please fill out our feedback survey.

Stay tuned for more exciting opportunities and challenges as we continue to empower creators and push the boundaries of immersive gaming!

 

---