by GalaChain | Mar 17, 2024 | GalaChain
Ali Hajighafouri joins the GalaChain Hackathon judges’ panel from the Games Startups Accounts team at Amazon Web Services. Ali and the AWS for Games team work tirelessly to ensure that every game team, from indie to AAA, can take full advantage of world-class cloud infrastructure to build, run, and grow their games. Ali has worked with teams running games ranging from a few hundred to millions of active players spanning all genres and platforms. He and his team are passionate about helping game developers and publishers realize their vision cost-effectively and in full readiness for global scale.
As an enthusiastic gamer and game maker, Ali brings the perspectives of a professional, a hobbyist, and a consumer to his judging duties, and he’s excited to see the Gala community take web3 to new heights during the GalaChain Hackathon and beyond.
While a lifelong gamer, Ali’s journey has taken him through sectors including healthcare, construction, and industrial services before he came home to supporting the gaming space full time. At every stage of his career he has leveraged technology to break down information silos, foster collaboration, and empower end users to own their virtual identities. He’s understandably excited about the transformative possibilities that blockchain brings to all these spaces.
As a hackathon judge, Ali will be on the lookout for projects that make web3 more accessible to game makers and players, minimizing the distance between mainstream gamers and ownership of their investment in play. He’d love to see projects that:
Accelerate game development and help creators de-risk their efforts in an ever more challenging industry landscape.
Immerse game makers and players further in their game worlds and blur the lines between virtual worlds and the real one.
Integrate play between game worlds, allowing players to gain further value from their time and money spent by carrying their loot, levels, and other gains from one game to the next.
Empower game makers, players, and fans to find each other and build welcoming, supportive communities.
Special consideration will be given to any project that somehow helps Ali get his two month-old to sleep through the night.
by GalaChain | Mar 16, 2024 | GalaChain
The upcoming GALAthon Hackathon event is set to be a landmark event, not only for showcasing the innovative capabilities of GalaChain but also for celebrating the amazing community that has helped build Gala into what it is today. In this spirit, we are excited to announce Wrecks as one of the judges for the event.
Known within the Gala community for his candid and entertaining content, Wrecks brings a frank and honest perspective to the judging panel. Describing himself as an “Absolutely Mediocre Gamer” and an “Even worse Content Creator,” Wrecks creates relatable content that gamers are after.
Wrecks: A Voice for Authenticity and Fun
Wrecks’s self-deprecating humor belies a deep engagement with the gaming community, where his live gameplay sessions on Twitch and social media presence on X have garnered a loyal following. His approach to content creation, focusing on the fun and sometimes flawed reality of gaming, makes him a judge who can truly appreciate the creativity, entertainment value, and community appeal of the projects developed for the GalaChain Hackathon.
What Wrecks May Look for in Winning Entries
Given his unique position within the community, Wrecks will probably be looking for projects that vibe with his particular perspective on gaming and community, such as:
Gamer-Focused Identity: Projects that are catered to people looking for fun and engaging experiences rather than some abstract innovation will likely appeal to Wrecks’ sensibilities.
Community Inclusion: Wrecks’ is a huge supporter of amateur esports and competitive gaming, so he’ll likely appreciate projects that allow gamers to connect and engage in new and exciting ways.
Accountability: Projects that provide robust, publicly verifiable data could stand out to a judge like Wrecks, who has been very vocal about the power of blockchain to ensure fair play in gaming.
Wrecks’ community and gamer-focused perspective on GalaChain will be a great addition to this hackathon’s judging panel!
Celebrating the Heart of Gaming with Wrecks
Having Wrecks on the judging panel highlights the GalaChain Hackathon’s commitment to celebrating the broader gaming and web3 community, emphasizing that innovation and success come in many forms. His insights will be invaluable in identifying projects that not only push the boundaries of what’s possible on GalaChain but also resonate on a personal level with users, offering experiences that are enjoyable, engaging, and authentically entertaining.
As participants prepare their submissions, let Wrecks’s ethos inspire you to create projects that speak to the heart of the gaming community. This is your chance to impress a judge who values the joy of gaming and the importance of community just as much as the technical achievements of your project.
Register for GALAthon
by GalaChain | Mar 15, 2024 | Developers, GalaChain
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With a web3 event as legendary as GALAthon, there’s something special about coming together in person…
Maybe it’s the massively influential panel of more than a dozen judges from around the world. Look for our “Meet the Judges” announcements coming out every day until the event begins to learn more about this panel and what they might be looking for in winning entries.
Maybe it’s hundreds of thousands of dollars in USDT prizes up for grabs only to in-person contestants for the coveted “Judges’ Favorite” category. Here’s a complete list of GALAthon prizes up for grabs in our 24-hour hackathon event.
GALAthon Prizes
Maybe it’s the palpable sense of camaraderie, community and cooperation toward a common goal that can only be found at a GALAthon event. We’ve always said that we’ve got the best community in the web3 world; join us at GALAthon and we’ll prove it.
Maybe it’s the awesome bag of swag including an exclusive event tee, Gala coffee mug, Legends Reborn physical card collection, Gala wrist-rest mouse pad, Tiki phone wallet and more. You know you want some Gala branded merch.
Maybe it’s just a chance to get out of your house for a couple days. You might form lifelong friendships and build strong business relationships. You might even have a chance to pick the brains of some of your favorite Gala or web3 personalities! We’d love to host your team’s dev frenzy in San Francisco, so come on out!
Register Now
Before it’s too late, get your registration in. The event is happening in San Francisco next week, starting at 11am PT on Wednesday March 20th and ending exactly 24 hours later.
If your team already registered to participate remotely, there is still a chance to upgrade your team’s participation to onsite, but hurry! We expect to fill the space, and once enough onsite contestants have confirmed, we’ll have to shut down onsite registrations.
Register or change your existing registration at the link below!
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by GalaChain | Mar 15, 2024 | Developers, GalaChain
As the GalaChain ecosystem rapidly grows, the upcoming GALAthon Hackathon event will stand as a monumental showcase of ingenuity and creativity. In line with our guiding principle of bringing widespread attention to the possibilities of GalaChain, we’re thrilled to announce an extensive array of prizes. With a grand total of up to $950,000 USDT in prizes, GALAthon is not just a competition; it’s a launchpad for tomorrow’s web3 pioneers.
Register For GALAthon
Total Prize Allocation
The GalaChain Hackathon’s prize pool is structured to ensure broad recognition and reward across multiple categories. Each category is explained below in greater detail. The prize categories are:
- Judges’ Favorites (In-Person Entries Only): $450,000 USDT
- Category Prizes: $300,000 USDT
- Participation and Innovation Prizes: $50,000 USDT
- Community Favorites: $100,000 USDT
- Mini-Challenges: $50,000 USDT
- Grand Total: $950,000 USDT
- Reserve: $50,000 USDT
Please note that the “Judges’ Favorites” Prize Pool is only available to in-person contestants.
Judges’ Favorites: The Pinnacle of Achievement
The crème de la crème of in-person entries will be honored as the Judges’ Favorites, with prizes as follows:
- 1st Place: $200,000 USDT
- 2nd Place: $150,000 USDT
- 3rd Place: $100,000 USDT
Category Prizes: Excellence in Innovation
Category Prizes will be awarded to teams whose projects that excel in specific areas:
- Each Category Winner: $50,000 USDT, assuming six categories, totaling $300,000 USDT.
Innovation Prizes: Celebrating Creativity
Recognizing the spirit of innovation and compelling presentations, these rewards aim to highlight outstanding contributions:
- Most Innovative Solution: $30,000 USDT
- Best Presentation: $20,000 USDT
Community Favorites: The Voice of the People
Gala has always looked to the community for guidance and inspiration. Reflecting the community’s voice, these rewards honor the projects that resonate most with our audience:
- 1st Place: $50,000 USDT
- 2nd Place: $30,000 USDT
- 3rd Place: $20,000 USDT
Mini-Challenges: Spotlighting Skills
For those who excel in specific, skill-based challenges, we will offer ten different Mini-Challenges to all participating teams:
- Each Mini-Challenge Winner: $5,000 USDT, with ten mini-challenges totaling $50,000 USDT.
Reserve Fund: Flexibility for Excellence
A $50,000 USDT reserve ensures we’re prepared for any scenario, from ties to rewarding exceptional innovation that defies categorization.
This reward pool is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation, recognizing talent, and celebrating the vibrant community that makes the GalaChain ecosystem so unique. Whether you’re a developer, designer, strategist, or storyteller, this event offers an unprecedented opportunity to transform the web3 landscape. Let the spirit of innovation lead the way as we gear up for one of the most exciting hackathons the web3 realm has ever seen.
Join us, and let’s build the future on GalaChain together.
GalaChain Hackathon 2024 Terms and Conditions
by GalaChain | Mar 15, 2024 | GalaChain
We are proud to announce Jinpyo Hong, CEO of Netmarble MarbleX, as one of the judges for the upcoming GALAthon GalaChain Hackathon at GDC 2024!
With a distinguished career that spans across the entire scope of the gaming industry, Hong’s leadership at Netmarble MarbleX has been focused on integrating blockchain technology with mainstream mobile and online gaming – offering players new ways to engage with digital worlds.
Jinpyo Hong: A Leader in Blockchain Gaming Innovation
Netmarble MarbleX is a major force in the gaming industry under Hong’s direction, always at the forefront of the push to leverage blockchain tech to enhance how players engage with their games.
This innovative approach has set new standards within the gaming community, and it also continues to demonstrate the potential for web3 to redefine the boundaries of entertainment.
A Unique Perspective on Game Dynamics and Blockchain Integration
As a judge for the GALAthon Hackathon, Hong’s deep understanding of the synergies between gaming and blockchain gives him a unique angle to evaluate entries. His experience points to a preference for projects that:
Merge Engaging Gameplay with Blockchain: Hong is likely to favor entries that seamlessly integrate blockchain technology to enrich gameplay, offering novel mechanics and features that elevate the gaming experience.
Prioritize User Experience: Hong will be looking for projects that not only incorporate blockchain technology but can effectively do so in a way that enhances the player’s experience overall.
Innovate in Game Economies: Hong is likely to appreciate projects that introduce new and innovative economic models within games or communities, using blockchain to provide real value to users through ownership.
Demonstrate Market Viability: Hong’s extensive experience in the gaming industry suggests he will value projects that not only show technical and creative prowess but also are designed with an awareness of market demands and potential for widespread adoption.
Pioneering the Next Generation of Gaming with Jinpyo Hong
Jinpyo Hong’s involvement as a judge signifies the GalaChain Hackathon’s dedication to discovering groundbreaking web3 innovations that push the industry forward. He has led Netmarble MarbleX into an exciting world where web3 meets gaming, and we think that will resonate very well with GalaChain’s roots.
As we move closer to the hackathon, we’d encourage you to draw upon Hong’s example, always thinking about the possibilities of the intersection between gaming and blockchain. Even for projects that aren’t games, his innovation and ability to rethink established concepts in new ways is worthy of emulation. What concept will you reinvent?
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