Build Games
Ship a playable prototype in 48 focused hours.
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Vadapalani Campus
RESOLVE '26
BUILD. PLAY. DOMINATE.
CHRONOMETER: ARENA GATES AWAKENING IN
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August 31 and September 1, 2026
SRMIST, Vadapalani Campus
Team Size: Up to 3 Members
First Round Registration FREE
THE SUMMONING
About RESOLVE '26
A two-day national-level game jam where developers, designers and storytellers gather to conjure playable worlds under a single theme.
Two tracks. One arena.
RESOLVE '26 is hosted by Developer Network Space (DNS), Department of Computer Science and Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Vadapalani Campus. The in-person arena runs 31 August and 1 September 2026 — and which track you enter depends on where your team already is as developers.
Full Pass (₹800/team) is built for teams new to game development. There is no online round — submit a PPT (core idea + basic UI), get shortlisted, then arrive on 31 August for a live training session and build your game from scratch on the revealed theme.
Competition Pass (₹600/team) is for teams who already have a working prototype. Compete in the 22–24 August online build sprint, then on 31 August your own theme receives a twist that you must integrate into your existing game.
The two tracks are judged separately — you compete within your track, not against each other. Bring a team of up to three.
NATIONAL-LEVEL
Teams from across India enter the same arena.
2-DAY EVENT
48 hours of focused creation and combat.
GAME DEVELOPMENT
Design, build and ship a playable world.
NETWORKING
Mentors, studios and fellow devs in one hall.
THE ARCANE TRIBUNAL
Judging Panel
Every prototype shipped before the deadline is evaluated by this panel of industry veterans across gameplay, theme, art and technical execution.
THE CHALLENGE AWAITS
Theme Reveal
THE PATH
Event Timeline
From the online qualifier to the final verdict — follow the energy beam through every trial.
22 AUGMORNING
COMPETITION PASSTheme Reveal
Competition Pass teams receive the game jam theme to kick off the 48-hour online build sprint.
22–24 AUG48-HR SPRINT
COMPETITION PASSOnline Build Sprint
Competition Pass teams build and iterate on their prototype across 48 hours before the submission deadline.
24 AUG11:59 PM
COMPETITION PASSOnline Submission Deadline
Final itch.io prototype + PPT upload. Deadline subject to extension depending on submission volume.
27 AUG (TENTATIVE)RESULTS
BOTH TRACKSShortlist & Waitlist Announced
Both pass types notified — Full Pass shortlisted on PPT, Competition Pass on prototype + PPT.
31 AUGUST9:00–10:00 AM
BOTH TRACKSInauguration
Opening ceremony in Lab 2, 1st floor. Presidential address, felicitation, and resource person session.
31 AUGUST10:00 AM
BOTH TRACKSGame Jam Countdown Starts
Post-inauguration: Competition Pass teams receive their twist theme and begin integrating it into their existing game. Full Pass teams enter their training/workshop session, then join the jam and build from scratch.
31 AUGUSTEND OF DAY
BOTH TRACKSDay-1 Review
Competition Pass: online voting opens and faculty suggestions collected on twist-round builds. Full Pass: continues building — no interim evaluation.
1 SEPTEMBERBY 9:00 AM
BOTH TRACKSFinal Submission Deadline
All builds (Competition Pass twist-round and Full Pass from-scratch) must be submitted before 9 AM. Both tracks judged separately.
1 SEPTEMBERPOST 9:00 AM
BOTH TRACKSJudging & Presentations
Builds are evaluated across Gameplay & Mechanics, Theme Interpretation, Art Direction & Audio, and Technical Execution — each track judged independently.
1 SEPTEMBER2:00–3:00 PM
BOTH TRACKSValediction & Prize Distribution
Combined closing ceremony for both tracks. 3rd floor Auditorium — results, prize pool reveal, and closing rites.
REWARD TIERS & JUDGING
Choose Your Glory: The Prize Pool & Tribunal
Compete for massive cash rewards, exclusive legendary trophies, studio mentorship opportunities, and recognition before industry titans.
2ND PLACE
Runners-Up
₹XX,XXX (TBA)
- Silver RESOLVE Trophy & Medals
- Mentorship with game industry veterans
- Official DNS Swag Kit & Merch
- Certificate of Excellence
GRAND CHAMPIONS
1st Place Champions
₹XX,XXX (TBA)
- Exclusive Gold RESOLVE Trophy & Medals
- Direct Final Round Studio Mentorship
- Legendary DNS Swag Kit & Peripherals
- Featured Showcase on Official Channels
- Certificate of Excellence
3RD PLACE
2nd Runners-Up
₹XX,XXX (TBA)
- Bronze RESOLVE Trophy & Medals
- Official DNS Swag Kit & Merch
- Access to Developer Resource Vaults
- Certificate of Excellence
SPECIAL BOUNTY
Best Art & Worldbuilding
₹5,000 Bounty + Digital Art Slate Badge
SPECIAL BOUNTY
Best Mechanics & Innovation
₹5,000 Bounty + Custom Mechanical Keyboard
SPECIAL BOUNTY
Peer Choice / Audience Favorite
Honorary Trophy + Gaming Peripherals Bundle
THE ARCANE TRIBUNAL
How Winners Are Selected
Every prototype shipped before the deadline will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of industry veterans and faculty mentors across four essential combat dimensions.
Gameplay & Mechanics
30%Intuitive controls, depth of game loops, innovation, and core fun factor. How engaging and rewarding is the player journey?
Theme Interpretation
25%How creatively and deeply the mysterious secret jam theme is integrated into narrative, worldbuilding, and gameplay rules.
Art Direction & Audio Polish
25%Cohesive dark fantasy atmosphere, visual aesthetic, animations, custom particle effects, and acoustic soundscape immersion.
Technical Execution
20%Prototype stability, zero breaking bugs, frame-rate performance optimization, and architectural resilience built within 48 hours.
THE GATES
Choose Your Portal
Initial submission is free for everyone. Pass payment is collected only after your team is shortlisted — PPT for Full Pass, prototype + PPT for Competition Pass.
Initial Submission
FREEopen to all teams
- Full Pass → Submit a PPT: core idea + basic UI (mockups/sketches fine). No online round.
- Competition Pass → Submit a working prototype on itch.io + a PPT (concept, mechanics, UI). Requires the 22–24 Aug online build.
- No payment at this stage
RECOMMENDED
Full Pass
₹800per team of 3
- Live training session on 31 Aug
- Build game from scratch on-site (31 Aug–1 Sept)
- No online round required
- Judged separately from Competition Pass
- Certificates
Unlocks for your team after shortlisting.
Competition Pass
₹600per team of 3
- Online build sprint (22–24 Aug)
- Twist round on-site (31 Aug–1 Sept)
- Judging + prize eligibility
- Judged separately from Full Pass
Unlocks for your team after shortlisting.
Pass payment is collected only after your team is shortlisted — PPT for Full Pass, prototype + PPT for Competition Pass.
THE REWARDS
Why Participate
More than a contest — every team leaves the arena with something earned.
Mentoring
Guidance from practitioners and faculty.
Networking
Meet studios, creators and future teammates.
Win Prizes
Compete for the RESOLVE '26 prize pool.
National Recognition
Stand out in a national-level arena.
Collaborative Learning
Trade craft with rival teams.
2
DAYS
100+
EXPECTED TEAMS
60+
TEAM CAPACITY
3
MEMBERS PER TEAM
ARCANE ARCHIVES
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about preparing for the challenge, eligibility requirements, and contest regulations.
Have a question not uncovered in the ancient logs? Reach out via our social channels or contact the coordinators below.
THE GATEWAY
Find The Arena
Reach out, follow the guild, or step straight through the registration portal.
VENUEOPEN IN MAPS
C Block, SRMIST Vadapalani Campus
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Faculty of Engineering and Technology
SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Vadapalani Campus, Chennai – 600026
KEY LOCATIONS
- Inauguration (31 Aug, 9:00 AM):
1st Floor, CSE Lab 2 - Valedictory (1 Sept, 2:00 PM):
3rd Floor, C-Block Auditorium
ORGANISED BY
REGISTER NOWDeveloper Network Space
The student developer community of the CSE department, building a national stage for creators.