GameGala is the largest game-specific K-12 project contest in the United States, running successfully since 2018. Each year, we bring together hundreds of young developers from across the nation to showcase their creativity and coding skills.
GameGala invites K-12 students to showcase their digital game projects developed by themselves. Students may enter the competition individually or with a team.
Instead of just playing games, be a game creator and developer!
Years
Projects
Countries
Mar 30, 2025
April 6, 2025
April 13, 2025
Each applicant must be a student in an educational institution and enrolled in grades K-12 at the time of qualification. Students participate in different divisions based on their grade level: Grade K-3, Grade 4-6, Grade 7-8, Grade 9-12. The division for team projects with students in different grades is determined by the highest grade represented. Projects must be produced by the participants and the participants only. If a project submitted under an individual's name is discovered to have been prepared by a team of more than one student, the participant will be disqualified.
Limit to one entry: Each student is limited to one entry per year. Teams may consist of up to three participants. Team projects will be competing with individual projects in the same categories. Keep in mind that for team projects, the judging panel will have a higher expectations commensurate with the number of students on the team. Projects must be produced by the participants and the participants only. If a project submitted under an individual's name is discovered to have been prepared by a team of more than one student, the participant will be disqualified.
Competition Day: Each participant (team) should prepare a computer to join the live zoom meeting and demo their game project and program code online. Judges will ask questions and evaluate the project for each team.
Supervision. Students not accompanied by their own parent(s) must be under authorized supervision by an adult escort, teacher, or administrator. GameGala is not responsible for the supervision of any participant.
Acceptance to present a project at GameGala requires the online Registration submitted by the student(s) or their parent(s)/guardian(s).
A project summary is required for the registration. Applications without a Project Summary will be rejected without recourse to appeal. Each student on a team project must complete his/her own personal Application, but only one Project Summary per team is required. As long as the Summary is provided by at least one member, other members of the team may choose to provide or omit the Summary without penalty.
Project Summaries must communicate ideas effectively and use standard English.
All teams must also submit a link to a 2-min YouTube video of their project. The video must show a demo of the submitted project. The video must be uploaded to Youtube and submitted as a public URL.
The project must be a coding project with a creative or game-inspired element. This could be a playable game, a tool to support games, an interactive experience, a simulation, or any technical program that incorporates fun, engaging, or game-like concepts. We welcome a broad interpretation of "game" - your project doesn't need to be a traditional game, as long as it demonstrates creative coding and incorporates elements that make it enjoyable, interactive, or playful. You are required to show a live demo of the project online and be able to explain the implementation details to the judges.
The game could be based on existing ideas and examples, but students must have the new and students' own extension and improvement. Projects which are merely following existing tutorials, code, lessons are generally not acceptable.
Applications may be rejected for failing to satisfy the rules of GameGala.
The $20 application fee is not refundable.
The deadline to submit the project is 11:59pm PST Mar 30, 2025.
Top 1% of entries - Exceptional technical execution and creativity
Top 3% of entries - Outstanding innovation and implementation
Top 5% of entries - Superior design and technical proficiency
Top 10% of entries - Notable achievement in game development
For outstanding creativity and innovative game mechanics
For exceptional collaboration and team coordination
For unique and impactful game concepts
All awards are presented within each age division
Gain recognition for your coding and game development skills. Winners receive prestigious awards and certificates that enhance college applications and resumes.
Present your projects to industry professionals and receive valuable feedback. Connect with mentors and peers who share your passion for game development.
Challenge yourself to create innovative games while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills that are valuable in today's digital economy.
Apply classroom knowledge to real-world projects. GameGala provides a platform to demonstrate your understanding of computer science concepts in a creative way.
Receive constructive feedback from experienced judges who evaluate your project based on creativity, technical implementation, and overall design.
Past participants have gone on to internships, scholarships, and careers in game development. GameGala can be your launching pad to future success in technology.
"GameGala was a transformative experience for me. The competition pushed me to improve my coding skills and think creatively about game design. The connections I made and the feedback I received were invaluable to my growth as a developer."
- Alex Chen, 2022 First Place Winner, High School Division
An educational game teaching astronomy concepts through interactive puzzles and exploration.
A strategy game where players solve environmental challenges and learn about sustainability.
An innovative puzzle game based on quantum physics principles with stunning visual effects.
"GameGala gave me the confidence to pursue my passion for game development. The feedback from judges was incredibly valuable and helped me improve my coding skills."
— Emma L., 8th Grade Winner
"Participating in GameGala opened doors to internship opportunities and connected me with mentors in the industry. It was a life-changing experience."
— Jason T., 11th Grade Winner
GameGala launches as a regional competition with 80 participants from California.
Expands to include participants from 15 countries with over 350 project submissions.
Transitions to a fully virtual format, reaching students nationwide during the pandemic.
Recognized as the largest game-specific K-12 competition in the United States.
Celebrated over 1,000 total project submissions and expanded to include international participants.
Continuing the tradition of excellence with enhanced categories and prizes.
Have a question or comment about GameGala? Our team is ready to assist you!