Overview

Reddit is hosting a virtual hackathon from January 15th to February 12th. We’re offering developers $40,000 in prizes for games built to delight users with daily play.

What to Build

Create a new Reddit daily game, experience, or social experiment for the communities of Reddit using our Developer Platform. For this hackathon, we're asking developers to use Devvit Web, which allows you to build Devvit apps using web technologies you’re already familiar with (e.g. React, Phaser, three.js), or your favorite game engine (GameMaker, Unity, Godot, etc).

Participants will also have access to GameMaker to make their game shine. While using GameMaker is not required, the best app to use GameMaker will be eligible for a special award. Winners are also eligible to recieve a GameMaker License.

The Challenge: Daily Games Built for Reddit

Build a game on Devvit using our Interactive Posts feature. We’re looking for daily games that range from puzzles to idlers to brain teasers, and more. The best games get people talking and sharing in the comments!

What Counts as a Daily Game: Apps that deliver a strong daily mechanic while being seamlessly integrated into Reddit’s ecosystem. While content doesn’t have to strictly be daily, the game should make smart use of fresh, recurring content. Note that we’re still looking for something that is unique to Reddit and will drive redditor discussion here. Examples of existing Devvit games that include recurring challenges include: r/hotandcold, r/syllacrostic, r/ninigrams and r/pocketgrids.

Sub-Categories

In addition to an excellent daily experience, we’re looking for standout apps that also achieve the following: 

1. Best Use of GameMaker: Best Use of GameMaker: Recognizes the most innovative use of the GameMaker suite of tools in creating a game for the Reddit Devvit platform.
2. Best Mobile Game Play: For an app that has impeccable mobile design and UX. This means the game is optimized for a mobile layout, as well as working seamlessly with mobile keyboards and gestures.
3. Best Use of User Contributions: Apps that enable users to generate content (comments, posts, drawings, puzzles, levels) drive redditor engagement and conversation. This award will go to the app that makes the best use of user-generated content.

Requirements

Games must be built on Devvit Web and be compliant with our Devvit Rules. Read our guide on how to build games for Reddit for more guidance on building for our platform.

For this event we are looking for polish, meaning apps that are as close to launch-ready as possible (bonus points for a good mobile experience). We understand that not all projects will reach this threshold, but projects that are well tested and concept-complete will score higher.

While we are accepting existing projects for this event, please note the game should be significantly updated during the hackathon period to qualify for this event.

Getting started

• Get started with the Quickstart
  • You can get started with GameMaker here
• Browse our Template Library for building with a familiar framework
• View examples of existing games on r/GameOnReddit
• Join us on Discord for live support and office hours

Sustaining Success

Successful apps built during the hackathon can become eligible for Reddit Developer Funds, which rewards apps for reaching engagement milestones. Learn more about the program here. Eligible developers also have access to our Payments sandbox APIs to build premium layers or goods into their apps. To qualify for Developer Funds or Payments API access, developers need to meet our earn eligibility requirements. Once your game has been published and approved, it may be considered for the Featuring Program, which you can apply for here.

Need inspiration?

Our previous hackathons (including our previous daily games challenge) have great examples of games that lean on user creativity. You can also browse exciting Devvit-built games here.

Join our Discord to chat with other developers and get live support from the Reddit team.

• Delightful UX
  Experiences should be built with exciting layouts and themes. While apps do not need to be perfect, it should be easy and fun to uncover what the app has to offer.
• Polish
  Your submission should be as close to publishable as possible and compliant with Devvit Rules. Judges should be able to understand everything we need to know by interacting with example posts. The closer to launch quality, the higher the score here.
• Reddit-y
  Reddit is all about community and embracing topics people care about, no matter how weird. We want apps to have their own identity, be community-minded, and bring something fresh to the platform. The best apps will bring a community together.
• Recurring Content
  Does your app create recurring content, challenges, and intrigue? While content does not have to strictly be *daily*, it should make smart use of fresh content.
• [GameMaker Category] GameMaker Innovation
  GameMaker judges will look for creative, effective use of GameMaker’s tools and workflow that meaningfully elevates gameplay, polish, and technical execution.