Blockchain platform Avalanche has officially launched Build Games, a $1m (~£725,000) global builder competition for developers and teams building gaming products.
The programme, which opened for applications on January 20th, 2026, will run for six weeks. An exact date for the compeition hasd yet to be announced.
According to Avalanche, the competition is open to all builders at any stage, as long as it is built on the Avalanche blockchain. The team stated that the programme is organised to enable developers to fast-track ideas from concept to product with financial support and hands-on guidance.
Build Games Details Six-Week Sprint and Prize Structure
The Build Games will run over six weeks, with clear milestone targets to keep teams on track. In the first week, teams are required to submit a one-minute video pitch explaining their idea, the problem it aims to solve, and the team behind it.
In weeks two and three, teams will work on creating a working prototype, or Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and submit demos and code. During this time, participants get mentorship, access to office hours, and workshops to help improve how to build and design the projects.
In weeks four and five, the focus moves to go-to-market strategies, helping teams plan how to launch the products successfully. The programme is planned to wrap up in week six with a live showcase, where teams present the projects to a panel of judges.
Submissions will be evaluated based on execution, usability, innovation, impact, and long-term potential.
“Build Games is intentionally open-ended. There are no predefined tracks or themes. We want to see builders working on ideas that they truly believe in,” Avalanche stated.
“What matters more than the category is the intent. We are looking for projects that solve real problems, explore new on-chain behaviours, or push the Avalanche ecosystem forward in some way.”
According to the release, the $1m prize will be shared across several levels, with $100,000 going to the top winner, $75,000 for second place, and $50,000 for third.
The payouts are tied to milestones, so teams get funds as they hit specific development targets.
The announcement also disclosed that non-winning projects may be eligible to receive grants and ecosystem support even after the competition.
Expanding the Avalanche Ecosystem
The Build Games announcement follows Avalanche’s 2026 launch of the C-Chain round of Retro9000, a grant programme offering up to $40m to developers building on Avalanche’s blockchain.
Since its launch in November 2024, Retro9000 has awarded over $1.25m to projects building Layer 1 solutions and other core tools. The C-Chain round specifically targets builders generating genuine on-chain activity.
In recent months, Avalanche also unveiled the third season of its battle pass, featuring $25,000 in rewards, as part of its ongoing push to expand the gaming portfolio and support on-chain projects.
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