2026 Student Challenge Competition
The Portal Opens on November 3, 2025!
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About the Competition
To engage the global community in game design for good, the Student Challenge welcomes participants from all over the world. Alongside their peers in the US, international students are able to submit their original games and artwork into the Student Challenge Competition. Winners will receive international recognition and prizes including games, technology, and scholarships.
Eligibility Requirements: Young people, ages 10 - 25 are able to work solo or in teams of 2 - 4 to submit games and character designs to the competition. Participants will compete against others in their age category. For the 18-25 category, all are encouraged to join even if not currently enrolled in a higher education program.
Award Categories
Winners in this category design games showcasing one of the three social impact themes.
Winners in this category design games made with Unity showcasing the student’s knowledge and understanding of the Unity platform and incorporation of a social impact theme.
Winners in this category design games made using Minecraft showcasing the student’s knowledge and understanding of Minecraft and incorporation of a social impact theme.
Student game designers living outside of the United States submitting their games into this year’s competition will have their games considered for the Best International Game category.
Winners in this category design physical games inspired by one of the social impact themes. Games can be a card game, board game, role-playing game, or any game that involves physical components.
Winners in this category design original artwork of video game characters with a backstory inspired by one social impact theme.
This award honors engaging and innovative game design and celebrates the legacy of games industry veteran Tim LeTourneau, a key creative behind The Sims and FarmVille 2.
A digital game will be chosen as game of the year for each of the age brackets (10-18 & University-Age), and the winning teams will take home the scholarship prize of $10,000.00, international recognition, and other prizes and benefits.
How to join