About Pixel Forge – Game Development Buildathon

Pixel Forge is a 2-day inter-college game development buildathon organized by the Department of CSE – Data Science at Dayananda Sagar Academy of Technology and Management (DSATM).

The event brings together creative minds, developers, and strategic thinkers to imagine, build, play, and compete. Participants will face exciting real-time strategy challenges and develop an original, playable game from scratch within a 30-hour development window.

What to Expect

  • Compete: Participate in interactive game theory challenges such as Trust Fall, Silent Auction, and Pool Party.

  • Build: Design and develop an innovative, playable game based on the theme revealed during the event kickoff.

  • Demo: Showcase your game to judges, explain your strategy, and demonstrate your creativity and technical skills.

Event Schedule

Day 1 – Game Theory Challenges & Development Kickoff

  • Registration, inauguration and event briefing.

  • Interactive strategy games.

  • Development Phase I and initial game building.

  • Overnight continuous development.

Day 2 – Development & Final Evaluation

  • Development Phase II and final submission.

  • Game demonstrations and Demo Expo.

  • Judges' evaluation and awards ceremony.

Rules & Submissions

  • Teams must have 2–4 members.

  • Cross-college teams are welcome.

  • Games must be developed within the event's 30-hour build window.

  • Open-source libraries, game engines and asset packs are allowed.

  • Submit a playable game, a one-page design note, and a 3-minute demo pitch.

Event Details

📅 Date: 19–20 November 2026
📍 Venue: DSATM banglore 
👥 Team Size: 2–4 members
💰 Registration Fee: ₹250 per team
🏆 Prizes: Exciting prizes and participation certificates.

Get ready to imagine, build, play, and compete at PIXEL FORGE!

Requirements

What to Build

Participants must develop an original, fully playable strategic game from scratch within the 30-hour build window.

  • The game must be based on the theme announced during the event kickoff.

  • Incorporate a meaningful strategic concept or game theory mechanic.

  • Ensure the game has clear rules, objectives, and interactive gameplay.

  • The core strategic mechanic must be developed during the event.

  • Open-source libraries, game engines (Unity, Godot, etc.), and asset packs are allowed.

  • The game should be functional, engaging, and ready for live demonstration.

What to Submit

Each team must submit the following:

  1. Playable Game: A working game build, accessible through a link or physical prototype.

  2. Game Design Note: A one-page document explaining the game's concept, rules, objectives, and strategic mechanics.

  3. Demo Presentation: A 3-minute pitch during the Demo Expo, showcasing gameplay and explaining the design decisions.

Evaluation Criteria

Projects will be evaluated based on:

  • Strategic Fidelity

  • Playability

  • Emergent Strategy

  • Polish and Overall Experience

Important: All submissions must be completed within the event timeline. Teams should be prepared to demonstrate their game and explain their design decisions to the judging panel.

Prizes

₹ 0 in cash
Cash And Certificates
₹ 0 in cash
5 winners

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Judges

Not decided

Not decided
yet to decide

Judging Criteria

  • 1. Strategic Fidelity 2. Playability 3. Emergent Strategy 4. Polish

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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