by GalaChain | Mar 19, 2024 | GalaChain
GALAthon Prizes
Web3 is a tech space, but it contains so much more. As we innovate within the scope of blockchain, it’s absolutely crucial to hear voices that not only understand the tech side, but also bring a well-rounded and creative perspective to the table.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce Snoop Dogg as one of the judges for GALAthon, the upcoming GalaChain Hackathon during GDC 2024!
A true renaissance man, Snoop Dogg spent decades weaving his legacy into the fabric of music and entertainment. He was an early adopter of web3 entertainment, always working at the cutting edge of blockchain technology.
Beyond the Music
Snoop Dogg is synonymous with musical innovation and cultural influence the world over. He has grown beyond even his role as a global superstar over the past few years to become a key figure in the web3 space.
His collaboration with us on Gala Music wasn’t his only foray into the world of web3, but it definitely spotlighted his versatility and highlighted his genuine interest and belief in the power of blockchain technology. His journey into this new frontier is marked by an enthusiastic embrace of NFTs and virtual experiences. Snoop is someone who understands the broader scope and potential influence of decentralized technology.
A Unique View on Innovation
Snoop Dogg’s involvement in web3 goes beyond mere participation – he has actively shaped the conversation around entertainment, art, and technology. His approach to innovations in the web3 world is characterized by a blend of creativity, community engagement and a unique sense of what captures the imagination of real people.
For the GalaChain Hackathon, Snoop’s criteria for a winning entry are likely to reflect these values.
The Next Big Thing
In a winning GalaChain Hackathon project, Snoop Dogg would likely be searching for innovation that transcends traditional boundaries between art and tech. He would appreciate projects that not only demonstrate technical proficiency and utility but also embody a strong sense of community and entertainment value. An ideal project might leverage GalaChain’s capabilities to offer immersive experiences. Perhaps it will integrate music, virtual spaces and social engagement in ways that we haven’t ever seen.
The Snoop Dogg Stamp of Approval
Winning over Snoop Dogg as a judge means impressing him with creativity, usability and perhaps most importantly, the fun factor. He knows the importance of delighting and engaging an audience, so projects that can capture the imagination while pushing the envelope of what’s possible within web3 will definitely stand out.
Think bold, think disruptive… and most of all, think about how to bring joy and connectivity to the community.
Join Us and Impress the Legends
Having Snoop Dogg on the judging panel is not just a testament to the GalaChain Hackathon’s prestige — it’s a challenge to all participants to dream bigger and dare to innovate. As we gear up for this exhilarating event, let Snoop Dogg’s journey beyond music icon to web3 pioneer inspire you to blend your technical skills with creativity and passion.
Stay tuned for more updates on the GalaChain Hackathon at GDC 2024, and prepare to show us (and Snoop!) what you’ve got. Let’s change the game together and forge the future of gaming on GalaChain. How will you build to transform the world?
Build on GalaChain
by GalaChain | Mar 19, 2024 | GalaChain
GALAthon Prizes
In the lineup of judges for GALAthon, the GalaChain Hackathon during GDC 2024, Danny Bilson stands out as a distinguished figure whose career covers a wide range of topics. Sitting at the intersection of academia, game development, and interactive media, Bilson is the Faculty Chair of Interactive Media and Games at the University of Southern California (USC), as well as the Director of USC Games.
Bilson brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into the evolving dynamics of game design, development and how new technologies are positioned to shape the gaming industry.
Danny Bilson: Gaming Excellence and Innovation
Danny Bilson has extensive background creating compelling narratives within games as well as fostering the next generation of game designers and developers. This gives him a totally unique perspective among the GalaChain Hackathon judging panel. His work at USC Games — a leading program dedicated to the advancement of interactive entertainment — showcases his commitment to pushing the boundaries of what games can be and pushing progress into the next generation.
Bilson’s expertise not only covers the technical and design aspects of gaming but also emphasizes storytelling, user engagement and the exploration of new tech for greater gaming experiences.
A Unique Perspective on Game Development and Web3
In evaluating hackathon entries, Bilson is likely to draw upon his vast experience in game design and education to identify projects that embody creativity, technical innovation, and overall show a deep understanding of what makes games engaging and memorable. The fun factor in a game isn’t always easy, but Bilson knows how to identify and cultivate that spark.
His perspective is invaluable in recognizing entries that not only leverage GalaChain’s capabilities but also push the envelope in terms of user experience, creativity and overall execution.
What Danny Bilson Might Look for in a Winning Entry
Given his extensive background and experience, Danny Bilson might prioritize projects that:
Showcase Innovative Design and Mechanics: Projects that introduce unique and innovative systems, leveraging GalaChain’s technology to offer new forms of interaction, and user experience.
Demonstrate Technical Excellence: Entries that are technically sound and also exhibit creative use of blockchain technology to improve aspects like individual ownership, game economies, and community-driven content.
Focus on Engagement and Community: Initiatives that emphasize creating a strong, engaged community around the project itself, increasing the ways for the community to engage with each other and drive the evolution and narrative of the project.
Inspiring the Future of Gaming with Danny Bilson
Danny Bilson’s role as a judge underscores the GalaChain Hackathon’s commitment to uncovering and nurturing groundbreaking projects that are poised to redefine the landscape of interactive entertainment. His insights will guide participants towards creating experiences that are not just technologically advanced but also nuanced, well-planned and expertly executed. Even beyond just game projects, Bilson brings a huge amount of insight to the table as a judge.
As the hackathon approaches, let Bilson’s dedication to education and innovation in gaming inspire you to envision and create projects that are bold, innovative, and capable of captivating users in new and profound ways. The opportunity to impress a figure of Bilson’s stature is not just an honor; it’s a challenge to elevate your work to the highest standards of design and development. What compelling experience will you craft?
Build on GalaChain
by GalaChain | Mar 18, 2024 | GalaChain
GALAthon Prizes
The excitement surrounding the 24-hour GALAthon Hackathon San Francisco event on March 20th and 21st continues to build with the announcement of Kenny Li, co-founder of Manta Network, as a key member of our judging panel. With a rich background as a tech entrepreneur and blockchain innovator, Kenny brings a unique blend of expertise to the event, particularly in the realms of marketing strategy and community-building.
Kenny Li: Bridging Technology, Community, and Innovation
Before co-founding Manta Network, Kenny Li was providing solutions for enterprise and Fortune 500 companies in cloud infrastructure migration. Equipped with his MBA from MIT Sloan, this valuable experience provided him with a comprehensive understanding of both the technical and strategic aspects of tech ventures. At Manta Network, Kenny has been instrumental in driving marketing strategies and fostering community initiatives, playing a pivotal role in the platform’s growth within the blockchain ecosystem.
A Vision for the Future of GameFi
Kenny’s participation as a judge in GALAthon is driven by a clear set of expectations that align with his passion for discovery and support of innovative GameFi builders. His approach to judging will likely emphasize:
Support for Groundbreaking Projects: Kenny is on the lookout for entries that showcase technical excellence while demonstrating potential for significant impact within the GameFi space. He’s looking to uncover new possibilities for gameplay, player interaction, and blockchain integration.
Innovative Insights (Alpha): With a keen interest in the “alpha” of the GameFi world, Kenny anticipates entries that bring fresh ideas to the table, potentially setting new trends and standards in the industry.
Global Community Engagement: Understanding the power of the global web3 gaming ecosystem, Kenny values projects that prioritize community engagement and connectivity to foster a sense of belonging shared by players and developers.
Connecting Innovators with the Global Stage
Kenny Li’s involvement as a judge highlights the GALAthon’s commitment to not just showcasing innovative blockchain gaming projects but also creating opportunities for meaningful connections within the global web3 community. This competition will identify groundbreaking innovations but also to support and elevate the builders behind them.
As participants prepare their submissions, they are encouraged to keep Kenny’s vision in mind—aiming not just to innovate but to contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the web3 gaming ecosystem. With Kenny’s expertise guiding the way, the hackathon promises to be a landmark event in the discovery and support of the next generation of GameFi projects.
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 17, 2024 | GalaChain
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?
