LevelUp Game Hackathon
By Gamnexis
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Quick Answer
A 12-hour online game development hackathon for Indian students — build a playable game from scratch and compete for cash prizes and recognition.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹1,700
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Gamnexis
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 7 August 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Gamnexis. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
LevelUp Game Hackathon 2026 is an online national game development hackathon organised by Gamnexis, a student-led game development and technology community. The event challenges students from across India to design, develop, and submit a fully playable game from scratch within a 12-hour window, based on an official theme announced at the start.
Who Should Apply Open to Indian students at any level — from beginners to experienced game developers. Teams of 1 to 3 members. Solo participants are welcome.
Format & Timeline The hackathon is conducted entirely online in two rounds:
Round 1 – Project Proposal Submission: Teams submit a 10-slide presentation covering theme understanding, game concept, gameplay, key features, technology stack, UI/UX design, development plan, challenges, and AI usage declaration. Submissions are evaluated on innovation (30 marks), theme relevance (20), technical feasibility (20), gameplay design (15), and presentation quality (15). Shortlisted teams advance to Round 2.
Round 2 – Final Game Development (12 hours): Shortlisted teams build a complete, playable game. Required deliverables include a public GitHub repository with source code, a playable build (APK, web link, or executable), a project presentation (max 15 slides), a 2–3 minute demo video, a README file, and an AI usage declaration. Judging criteria: gameplay & user experience (30 marks), innovation & creativity (25), UI/UX & visual design (15), performance & stability (15), technical implementation (10), and documentation & submission quality (5).
Prizes Total cash prize pool of ₹1,700 distributed across top teams:
- Winner: ₹1,000 + Winner Certificate
- Runner-up: ₹500 + Runner-up Certificate
- Second Runner-up: ₹200 + Second Runner-up Certificate
- Best AI Game: Certificate (no cash)
- Best Mobile Game: Certificate (no cash)
- Best Web Game: Certificate (no cash)
All eligible participants who complete the hackathon receive a Digital Certificate of Participation.
Eligibility Open to Indian students. Teams of 1–3 members. Participants may use any game engine, programming language, or framework. AI-powered development tools are allowed but must be disclosed. Previously completed projects are not allowed.
About the Organiser Gamnexis is a student-led game development and technology community committed to fostering innovation through hackathons, coding competitions, and collaborative learning. They focus on providing platforms for students to showcase their skills and build real-world projects.
How to Apply Register via the official Unstop page before the deadline. After registration, join the WhatsApp group for updates and theme announcement.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Organizer
Gamnexis
Prizes & Awards
- Amount
- Up to ₹1,700
What You Get
Total cash prize pool of ₹1,700 is distributed across the top three teams, along with certificates:
- Winner: ₹1,000 + Winner Certificate
- Runner-up: ₹500 + Runner-up Certificate
- Second Runner-up: ₹200 + Second Runner-up Certificate
Three additional category awards — Best AI Game, Best Mobile Game, and Best Web Game — receive certificates only (no cash). All eligible participants who complete the hackathon receive a Digital Certificate of Participation. No equity or repayment is involved; prizes are awarded based on the judges' scores across gameplay, innovation, UI/UX, performance, technical implementation, and documentation.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
