Code Clutch: BVCOE's 3-Day Arcade Game Hackathon, ₹4,000 Prizes — Frequently Asked Questions

Code Clutch is a three-day arcade game development hackathon organised by Athena at Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Engineering (BVCOE), New Delhi. Participants build small 2D arcade games inspired by internet meme culture, and the event finishes with a public arcade exhibition at BVCOE where those games are played, judged and rated by both the organisers and the audience. Students from any college can take part.

The total cash prize pool is ₹4,000, shared among the top three teams. The 1st place team receives ₹2,000, 2nd place receives ₹1,200, and 3rd place receives ₹800. Every prize-winning team also gets a certificate.

Any student from any college can enter, not just students of BVCOE. You can participate individually or as part of a team of up to four members. To be eligible for an award, at least one member of the team has to attend Day 3 in person at BVCOE.

No. No prior game development or coding experience is required, and beginners are explicitly welcome. Technical complexity is not a judging criterion either, so the scoring is driven by your idea, how fun the game is, how it looks and whether it feels finished.

You need to create a short, browser-playable 2D arcade game. The organisers give examples such as an endless runner, a flappy-style game, a dodger, a clicker, a platformer or a top-down avoider. The core concept must revolve around a recognisable and intentional meme reference — either an existing meme or an original idea of your own. More detailed guidelines are set out in the official rulebook.

The application deadline is listed as 16 April 2026, and the hackathon itself runs from 12 to 17 April 2026. Finished games must be submitted before 17 April 2026, 12:00 PM. Registration and submission both go through the official Code Clutch listing on Unstop.

Each entry must be a browser-playable HTML5 build uploaded to itch.io and submitted through the official form. A submission requires a working itch.io link, a game title with a short description, and an AI tool disclosure.

Games are scored across four categories worth 100 points in total: Meme Creativity, Gameplay Fun, Visual Polish and Completeness. The final score combines organiser evaluations with live audience feedback gathered during the Day 3 exhibition. Technical complexity is explicitly not part of the judging.

Yes, if you want to be considered for an award. At least one member of each team must attend Day 3 in person at BVCOE, where the live public arcade exhibition is held. Solo participants need to attend themselves.

Neither is required. Code Clutch is a student hackathon competition, so there is no DPIIT or MSME registration condition, and no equity or ownership stake is taken from participants. Winners simply receive their cash prizes and certificates.