Gameathon 2026

Gameathon — Game that Protects

Cybersecurity Game Development Challenge

Cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but awareness often remains limited to presentations, posters, and conventional quizzes.

This competition challenges participants to take a different approach: turn cybersecurity awareness into an engaging gaming experience.

Participants will design and develop a game that addresses real-world cybersecurity problems and helps players understand how to identify, respond to, and protect themselves from digital threats.

Teams may focus on a single cybersecurity problem or combine multiple related problems into one cohesive game. The choice of genre, gameplay style, narrative, platform, and technology is entirely up to the team.

The goal is to create an experience where cybersecurity is not simply explained to the player, but becomes an integral part of the gameplay.

The Challenge:

Identify one or more real-world cybersecurity problems and transform them into a meaningful game.

Possible areas include:

• Phishing and malicious links
• Social engineering and impersonation
• Password security and credential theft
• Malware and ransomware
• Online scams and digital fraud
• Data privacy and information leakage
• Unsafe downloads and websites
• Device and account security
• Identity theft
• Cyberbullying and online safety
• Insider threats
• Digital identity
• Human factors in cybersecurity

These are examples, not restrictions.

Teams are encouraged to explore other relevant cybersecurity problems and combine multiple threats where it strengthens the gameplay and learning experience.

The cybersecurity concepts should be meaningfully integrated into the game through its mechanics, challenges, decisions, interactions, or narrative.

The focus is on creating an actual gaming experience that is engaging while delivering meaningful cybersecurity awareness.

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Competition Structure:

The competition follows a continuous journey from idea to prototype to final presentation.

Round 1 — Idea Submission:

14 – 25 August

Teams Begin by Submitting Their Game Concept and Proposed Approach.

The Submission Should Include:

• Objective
• Cybersecurity Threats Addressed
• Proposed Solution
• Target Audience
• Technology Used
• Expected Learning Outcomes

Ideas Will Be Evaluated Based On:

• Creativity and Innovation
• Cybersecurity Relevance
• Educational Value
• Feasibility
• Gameplay Potential

Selected Teams Will Proceed to The Development Stage.

Development & Prototype Stage:

28 August – 8 September

The Selected Teams Will Continue Developing Their Proposed Game Into a Functional Prototype.

This Stage Is a Continuation of The Idea Submitted in Round 1. Teams Will Have the Opportunity to Refine Their Concept, Develop the Gameplay, Implement the Cybersecurity Elements, Test the Experience, and Prepare Their Final Presentation.

Teams Are Expected to Work Towards a Prototype that Clearly Demonstrates:

• Core Gameplay
• Player Interaction
• Game Mechanics
• Cybersecurity Scenarios
• Integration of The Selected Cybersecurity Threats
• Educational Elements
• Technical Implementation
• Overall User Experience

During This Stage, Teams May Further Develop or Refine Their Original Concept While Maintaining the Core Objective of Addressing Cybersecurity Awareness.

Finals — Onsite:

9 September

The Completed Prototype and Final Presentation Will Be Submitted and Presented Before the Judging Panel During the Onsite Finals at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Chennai.

Teams Will Demonstrate Their Game and Explain how Their Implementation Addresses the Selected Cybersecurity Problems.

The Final Presentation Should Communicate:

• The Problem Being Addressed
• The Proposed Solution
• How the Game Works
• The Cybersecurity Concepts Incorporated
• The Gameplay Experience
• The Technology and Implementation
• The Intended Learning Outcomes
• The Overall Impact of The Game

Teams May Be Questioned by The Judges About Their Cybersecurity Concepts, Design Decisions, Technical Implementation, Gameplay Mechanics, Development Process, and Future Scope.

General Guidelines:

• The Game Must Have a Clear Cybersecurity Awareness Objective.
• The Cybersecurity Information and Concepts Incorporated Into the Game Must Be Accurate.
• Teams May Address One or Multiple Cybersecurity Problems.
• Original Ideas, Gameplay Mechanics, Scenarios, and Implementations Are Strongly Encouraged.
• Plagiarism or Substantial Copying of Another Team's Work May Result in Disqualification.
• Teams Must Adhere to The Specified Submission and Presentation Deadlines.
• Teams Are Responsible for Ensuring that Their Prototype Is Functional and Ready for Demonstration at The Finals.
• The Decision of The Judging Panel Will Be Final.

Registration:

• Team Size: 2 Members
• Registration Fee: ₹100 per Participant
• Prize Pool: ₹20,000
• Finals: Offline at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Chennai