The 8th Wall x VIVERSE Game Jam is officially live! From May 12 to June 30, this global challenge invites developers, designers, and students to build innovative, browser-based games using Niantic Studio on 8thWall.com.

Whether you're testing out a new mechanic, prototyping your next indie hit, or looking to level up your game design skills, this is your opportunity to create, compete, and showcase what’s possible with Niantic Studio.

What Makes This Game Jam Unique?

We’re taking things a step further in this challenge. Thanks to support from HTC’s VIVERSE, the top three winning teams will not only receive funding—they’ll also earn direct entry into the VIVERSE Creator Program, where their games can be published and distributed to a global audience of players.

The program is designed to help developers get visibility, funding, and support while building fully playable games on the web. With additional prize categories from 8th Wall, this game jam recognizes a broad range of creativity, polish, and playability.

This jam features a total prize pool of $32,000, with awards for top projects, gameplay, polish, and student submissions.

$32,000 in Prizes

The top 3 teams will receive funding plus entry into the VIVERSE Creator Program:

• 1st Place – $10,000
• 2nd Place – $6,000
• 3rd Place – $4,000
  

Note: Funding is tied to participation in the Creator Program and the successful publishing of your game on VIVERSE.

8th Wall Awards – $12,000

• Most Addictive Gameplay (x2): $2,000
• Most Polished Experience (x2): $2,000
• Best Student Game (x3): $1,000
• Honorable Mentions (x4): $250
  

Live Programming

We’ve planned a series of live virtual sessions to help you succeed in the jam—from getting started in Niantic Studio to learning how to prepare your project for publishing on VIVERSE. 

• May 13 @ 11 AM PT – Forge the Future Game Jam Kickoff
• May 20 @ 11 AM PT – Building Your First Game in Niantic Studio
• May 27 @ 11 AM PT – Using Niantic Studio for the VIVERSE Creator Program

Judging Criteria 

Submissions will be evaluated on: 

• Gameplay & Replayability – Is it fun, engaging, and built to last?
• Polish & Presentation –Is the experience complete and visually strong?
• Technical Execution – Does it demonstrate clever, effective use of Studio?
• Creative Vision – Is the concept original, purposeful, or surprising?

Start Building

Whether you’re creating a short, addictive arcade game or a narrative-rich puzzle with immersive UI, this is your chance to push the boundaries of browser-based gaming. We're looking for standout ideas, clean execution, and memorable experiences built on Niantic Studio.

Ready to start? Register now and bring your game to life. We can’t wait to see what you build.