In the buildup to the much-anticipated GALAthon Hackathon during GDC 2024, we are proud to introduce as one of our judges – Kent Byers of Directive Games!
Kent Byers serves as the Chief Product Officer at Directive Games, where he oversees the development of two major blockchain games: The Machines Arena, powered by the Ronin network, and Civitas, a 4X strategy MMO with cutting-edge advancements in the blockchain gaming industry. With nearly two decades of experience in Games & Film Industry, Kent is a seasoned veteran who has contributed to iconic franchises such as Star Wars, Avatar, Transformers, and Battle Angel Alita. His leadership and expertise drive innovation and excellence, making him a valuable asset in the realm of gaming and entertainment.
Byers’ experience positions him squarely at the crossroads of gaming and blockchain tech. His insight into what makes a project both engaging and commercially successful is invaluable to any developer looking to make an impact in the web3 world.
Kent Byers: A Beacon of Gaming Innovation
Kent Byers earned his reputation being at the forefront of gaming innovation. He’s spearheaded projects that have captured the imagination of gamers around the world while also pushing the boundaries of what’s technically possible in gaming.
Directive Games has developed titles under his guidance that are known for their immersive experiences, cutting-edge graphics and innovative gameplay mechanics. His expertise in blending engaging content with strategic economic models has been setting new standards in the gaming industry.
A Unique Perspective on Blockchain Gaming
As a judge for the GalaChain Hackathon, Byers brings a wealth of knowledge in game design, development and market trends. He is likely to focus on entries that leverage GalaChain to elevate the user experience, offering innovation as well as a compelling hook.
What Kent Byers Might Look for in a Winning Entry
Given his background, Byers is likely to prioritize hackathon projects that:
Innovate in Game Design and User Experience: Entries that present fresh, compelling gameplay mechanics or user experiences that can uniquely benefit from blockchain technology.
Demonstrate Technical Excellence: Projects that showcase exceptional technical execution – including the use of GalaChain to enhance user interaction, monetization and overall appeal.
Exhibit Market Viability: Initiatives that account for current gaming trends but also demonstrate an understanding of their target audience and a plan to excel beyond market standards.
Emphasize Community and Engagement: Projects that build or enhance gaming communities, encouraging sustained engagement through innovative features, multi-title synergy or rewards.
Pioneering the Future with Kent Byers
Kent Byers’ involvement in the GalaChain Hackathon brings a professional and experienced perspective to find projects that push the industry forward, without compromising the fundamentals. His expertise offers participants a unique opportunity to gain insights into what it takes to create a successful gaming product in today’s competitive landscape.
Byers represents the bridge between traditional gaming excellence and the potential of blockchain integration. What can you build that’s seriously innovative while also seriously fun?
In the group of judges we’ve assembled for the upcoming GALAthon Hackathon at GDC 2024, Michele Guo stands out for her unique innovation and strategic insight in the web3 gaming realm. Her work in the industry has made major contributions to the blockchain space since 2017. Her journey through this frontier has taken her across multiple major innovations – from co-founding the first U.S. web3 gaming expo focusing on quality B2B gaming industry leaders and game studios, to her advisory roles for early web3 startups. This visionary recognized the early fragmented gaming industry’s need to be united for a more collaborative ecosystem with emphasis on network effects in the space. We’re proud this ecosystem pioneer could join us as a judge!
Michele Guo: A Trailblazer in Crypto and Strategy
Guo co-founded the 3XP Gaming Expo which brought together the largest web3 game developers in the US for an immersive experience of gameplay demos, esports competitions, and panel content, working with industry thought leaders and gaming founders. Michele spearheaded marketing and partnerships, ensuring the conference’s attendance from notable web2 and web3 game studios and content creators for the first web3 gaming conference held in the U.S.
With Alpha Strategy Consulting, Guo’s influence extends through her angel investments and advisory for early-staged web3 startups. She predominantly focuses in the gaming space on go-to-market strategy, marketing, partnerships, growth, and finding product-market fit, whilst facilitating network effects within her web3 gaming ecosystem, especially rooting from 3XP’s funnel.
Prior to starting Alpha Strategy Consulting, Helios Capital further showcased her adeptness in navigating the nuanced landscape of the tech investment world. In her time there, she not only sealed critical deals and partnerships, but also managed high-profile relationships and supported portfolio companies to thrive under the Helios banner.
Starting her crypto career on the operating side at her first startup in 2017, Guo was the first employee and later became Chief Strategy Officer at Axon Trade, where she demonstrated an immediate knack for partnerships, business development, and strategy, proving essential for the startup’s success.
A Judge with an Eye for Strategy and Scalability
Michele Guo’s multifaceted experiences equip her with a unique perspective to evaluate the GalaChain Hackathon entries. Her background suggests she will value projects that exhibit technical innovation and a clear, compelling product-market fit.
Guo understands the crucial interplay between technology, market positioning and strategic partnerships that can boost a project’s success and scalability.
What Might Michele Guo Look for in a Winning Entry?
Given Michele Guo’s experience, her criteria for a winning GalaChain Hackathon project likely include:
Strategic Innovation: Projects that go beyond GalaChain’s technical powers and demonstrate innovative approaches for solving real market needs within the web3 world.
Market Readiness and Scalability: Entries that show a clear path to market adoption, including an actual strategy for implementation and scalability that is potentially attractive to partnerships and funding in the future.
Impact and Viability: Projects that present a sustainable business model with real potential for long-term impact, including how the project plans to maintain relevancy and adapt to evolving web3 space.
Community and Partnership Potential: Initiatives that understand the value of community with a clear path on how to build a strong and sustaining community in the web3 space, whilst being well positioned to leverage strategic partnerships to enhance their reach and go-to-market strategy.
Beyond Technology: Strategy as Key to Success
Michele Guo’s involvement in the GalaChain Hackathon is a testament to the importance of strategic vision in the success of blockchain initiatives. Her perspective will push participants to think beyond the code, considering how their projects fit into the broader web3 landscape. Innovation for the sake of innovation isn’t enough… a project must be practical and have real applications.
As we inch closer to the hackathon, let Michele Guo’s journey through web3 inspire you to blend innovation with strategic acumen. The hackathon presents a unique opportunity to showcase how GalaChain can serve a home for projects that are technologically innovative while also solving practical problems.
Michele Guo’s presence on the judging panel elevates the GalaChain Hackathon, and we’re excited to see what projects stand out to her during judging. Innovative tools need to serve a real purpose if they are going to be adopted. What problem will your project solve?
The time has come to unveil the next panel judge at the 24-hour GALAthon Hackathon on March 20th. Today, we are pleased to spotlight Paul Hsu, the Founder and CEO of Decasonic. Decasonic is a pioneering venture and digital assets fund dedicated to building innovative products on the blockchain.
With an extensive background in driving growth and fostering groundbreaking projects in the blockchain space, Hsu’s expertise and leadership have positioned Decasonic as a crucial player in cultivating the next wave of transformative blockchain technologies and startups.
Paul Hsu: A Catalyst for Blockchain Excellence
Paul Hsu’s journey at the helm of Decasonic has been defined by repeatedly identifying, supporting and nurturing startups that harness the capabilities of web3 tech to challenge traditional industries and create scalable models for the future.
His strategic vision has not only propelled Decasonic to success but has also contributed significantly to the broader web3 by supporting projects that push the boundaries of what is possible with blockchain technology.
A Judge with a Vision for Disruptive Innovation
In his role as a judge for the GalaChain Hackathon, Hsu brings a keen eye for projects that demonstrate a clear disruptive potential, combining innovative blockchain applications with proven, viable business models.
His experience guiding startups through every step from concept to market means he has an amazing sense for projects that are not only technically sound but also market-ready, with a clear path to adoption and growth.
What Paul Hsu Might Look for in a Winning Entry
Given his background, Paul Hsu is likely to prioritize hackathon projects that:
Embody Disruptive Innovation: Projects that leverage GalaChain to challenge and redefine existing stagnant business models or industry standards, showing the potential growth to be had from embracing web3 tech.
Demonstrate Technical and Business Acumen: Entries that exhibit a strong understanding of blockchain technology coupled with a viable business strategy that features clear use cases, target markets and monetization models.
Focus on User Adoption: Projects that prioritize a seamless user experience and demonstrate clear, intuitive strategies for user adoption and engagement – critical factors for the success of any blockchain innovation.
Sustainability and Long-term Vision: Initiatives that not only address current market needs but also show potential for sustained growth and adaptability to future technological developments.
Fostering Innovation with Paul Hsu
Paul Hsu’s inclusion as a judge in the GalaChain Hackathon brings his unique experience in identifying and helping grow outstanding projects over the years. His insight into the intersection of technology and business and his proven track record will hopefully guide participants towards creating solutions that are not only innovative but also primed for adoption and growth.
As you prepare your plans for the hackathon, let Paul Hsu’s achievements and vision inspire you to aim for solutions that are disruptive, market-ready and capable of contributing significantly to the blockchain ecosystem. His experience in identifying projects that achieve the results of the past in new and innovative ways will give the judge’s panel far more insight into the potential of projects. What can you build to disrupt narrow-minded views of business?
As the GALAthon Hackathon draws near, we’re excited to reveal another distinguished member of our judging panel – Celynne Layug! As Trade Commissioner of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley, Celynne plays a pivotal role in creating connections between the Philippines and global markets, particularly in the realms of trade, Investments, and technology and finance.
Her inclusion as a judge brings a unique international and economic development perspective to the hackathon. The web3 world truly is the entire world, so her view on innovations from a uniquely global perspective is an incredibly important addition to our judging panel!
A Vision for Global Impact and Connectivity
In the context of the GalaChain Hackathon, Celynne’s focus is likely to be on projects that demonstrate clear potential for decentralized collaboration, economic empowerment and scalable solutions that seriously address global challenges.
She represents a bridge between technology and its real-world applications, especially those that can contribute to economic development, inclusivity, and the creation of opportunities across borders. Any technology has real effects on real people… Celynne will likely be interested in both the innovative power of any development and its real-world effects on human beings across the globe.
What Celynne Layug Might Look for in a Winning Entry
Given her background and responsibilities, Celynne might be particularly drawn to projects that:
Promote Global Connectivity: Entries that leverage GalaChain to create new opportunities for international trade, market participation and communication, making it easier for countries to collaborate and share resources.
Drive Economic Empowerment: Innovations that offer solutions to economic challenges – particularly those that connect underserved communities or further sustainability goals across the world.
Showcase Scalable and Inclusive Innovations: Projects should be scalable across different markets, but also stand out as inclusive – ensuring that the benefits of blockchain technology can be accessed by anyone, including those in developing economies.
Building Bridges with Celynne Layug
Celynne Layug’s inclusion in the Galathon judging panel underscores the event’s commitment to projects that are more than just tech for the sake of tech. Innovations that create global impact that fosters economic growth and development will likely stand out to Celynne, as they are definitively in her wheelhouse.
Her perspective should guide participants toward creating solutions that are not just unique but also capable of making significant contributions to international collaboration and economic empowerment.
As participants prepare to showcase their projects, let Celynne’s role drive you to think beyond the technical aspects of blockchain and reach into the real world for inspiration.
Consider how your innovation can serve as a bridge between different cultures, economies, and industries. Harnessing the power of GalaChain to create a more connected and empowered global community is within our power. How will you change the world?
As the GalaChain Hackathon at GDC 2024 continues to spotlight its illustrious panel of judges, we’re thrilled to introduce a figure well-known within the Gala community: Dr. Wookiee!
A celebrated content creator, Dr. Wookiee has carved out his own niche within the Gala Ecosystem. His content offers insights, commentary and a unique perspective that resonates deeply with both newcomers and veterans of the web3 world.
His transition from a community influencer to a judge in the hackathon is important. We acknowledge and celebrate that community voices play a huge role in shaping the future of web3 tech as a whole!
Dr. Wookiee: A Community Beacon in the Gala Ecosystem
Dr. Wookiee’s journey within the Gala community is a testament to his deep engagement with the platform’s evolution. Commitment to fostering a vibrant, informed and inclusive community have been core to his work throughout his journey.
Dr. Wookiee is known for insightful content that bridges the gap between complex blockchain concepts and the broader audience. This is an incredibly valuable addition to any web3 community, as new tech never is intuitive to the masses right away. Dr. Wookiee has played a pivotal role in demystifying web3 and promoting the values of decentralization, empowerment and innovation… while always keeping his own content entertaining and educational!
A Unique Perspective on Engagement and Innovation
As a judge for the GalaChain Hackathon, Dr. Wookiee brings a critical eye for projects that not only push the technological envelope but also prioritize community engagement, user experience and overall accessibility.
His background suggests he will likely value entries that demonstrate an understanding of what makes content compelling and engaging for a diverse audience. As a far-reaching communicator, Dr. Wookiee has his finger on the pulse more than most, so expect to see a very well-rounded approach in his analysis to how blockchain technology can be leveraged to create more immersive, interactive, and empowering experiences.
Dr. Wookiee’s Criteria
This is what Dr. Wookiee Will be looking for in a winning entry:
Community Engagement and Accessibility: Projects that showcase innovative ways to engage with and grow the Gala community – particularly emphasizing user-friendly interfaces, inclusive and intuitive design, and mechanisms for community feedback and participation to actually drive progress forward.
Creative Use of Blockchain: Entries that creatively leverage GalaChain to offer new or enhanced experiences, particularly those that break new ground in how content is created, shared and monetized within the web3 space.
Medical Application: The utilization of blockchain enhancing and simplifying medical systems, records, or discovery is a current need. With GalaChain’s Robust system, speed, a multitude of medical applications could be utilized and leveraged to amplify medical care. Dr Wookiee will be watching for any insightful applications regarding medical infrastructure, patient education/involvement, or aids for medical personnel.
DeFi: Any chain requires its own DeFi protocols. Liquidity and the smooth simple movement of trades is a must have. Dr. Wookiee will look for not only simple to use interface/platform, but aspects that would engage and encourage individuals to decide to provide liquidity.
The Community’s Champion in the Judge’s Seat
Dr. Wookiee’s role as a judge will help keep the GalaChain Hackathon focused on community-driven innovation. His insights will guide participants towards creating projects that resonate on a personal level with users bringing more personal appeal to not only the Gala ecosystem but also the broader web3 world.
As we look forward to the groundbreaking ideas and projects that will emerge from the GalaChain Hackathon, let Dr. Wookiee’s involvement inspire you to think about how your innovation can contribute to building a more engaged, empowered and educated community.
Community focus is one of the hallmark benefits that web3 tech can bring to the world, and few are more keenly aware of this than Dr. Wookiee. How will you engage with the web3 community in new and exciting ways?
