Code Clutch is a unique 3-day arcade game development hackathon organized by Athena, BVCOE. This challenge invites participants to unleash their creativity by building simple 2D arcade games inspired by internet meme culture. The event culminates in a live public arcade exhibition at BVCOE, where games will be played, judged, and rated by both organizers and the audience.
Who Should Apply
This competition is open to students from all colleges, not exclusively BVCOE. Participants can join individually or form teams of up to four members. No prior game development or coding experience is required; the focus is on creativity and fun, making it accessible to beginners and experienced developers alike.
What You're Building
Teams are tasked with creating a short, browser-playable 2D arcade game, such as an endless runner, flappy-style game, dodger, clicker, platformer, or top-down avoider. The core concept must revolve around a recognizable and intentional meme reference, whether an existing meme or an original concept. More detailed guidelines are available in the official rulebook.
Format & Timeline
The 3-day hackathon runs from April 12th to April 17th, 2026. Day 3 features a live public arcade exhibition at BVCOE, where submitted games will be showcased. Submissions, in the form of a browser-playable HTML5 build uploaded to itch.io, must be submitted via the official form before April 17th, 12:00 PM. Each submission requires a working itch.io link, a game title with a short description, and an AI tool disclosure.
Judging
Games will be judged across four categories, contributing to a total of 100 points: Meme Creativity, Gameplay Fun, Visual Polish, and Completeness. Scores will be a combination of organizer evaluations and live audience feedback. Technical complexity is explicitly not a judging criterion, emphasizing accessibility and creative execution.
Prizes
A total cash prize pool of ₹4,000 will be awarded to the top three teams. The 1st place winner receives ₹2,000, 2nd place receives ₹1,200, and 3rd place receives ₹800. All prize winners will also receive certificates.
Eligibility
Open to individuals and teams of up to 4 members from any college. To be eligible for awards, at least one team member must attend Day 3 in person at BVCOE.
