CCP Games and Sui have announced the EVE Frontier × Sui Hackathon 2026, an online global event scheduled to run from 11 to 31 March 2026. The competition will feature a total prize pool of $80,000 USD and invites developers to build mods and connected tools for EVE Frontier.
The event is positioned as an opportunity for builders to directly influence a live, persistent universe through blockchain-based infrastructure. It reflects CCP Games’ continued focus on evolving player agency within its online worlds.
How Modding Works in EVE Frontier
EVE Frontier is designed as a moddable survival experience where players rebuild civilization within a shared galaxy. Unlike traditional modding systems that operate at the client level, this structure enables modifications that can affect server-level systems in real time.
At the core of this system are Smart Assemblies, which function as configurable in-game structures such as defensive turrets, storage units, and stargates. These structures can host player-created logic, allowing new behaviors and mechanics to be installed directly into the game world. Because they exist within the shared environment, they can be interacted with, defended, or destroyed by other players. Mods remain active over time and can be expanded by other participants, reinforcing the idea of long-term collaborative development inside a live universe.
The system is powered by Sui’s blockchain infrastructure, which supports ownership, large-scale interaction, and persistent world states. This framework is intended to allow player-built systems to operate at scale without compromising the integrity of the shared environment.
Creating Tools Outside the Game
The hackathon is not limited to in-world structures. Developers can also create external applications that connect to EVE Frontier through official APIs. These tools may include mapping platforms, analytics dashboards, coordination services, or other utilities that read and react to live game data.
Although these applications do not exist as objects within the game space, they can influence how players navigate, organize, and respond to events across the galaxy. This dual approach allows builders to contribute both directly within the universe and through supporting systems that enhance the broader player ecosystem.
The 2026 theme, “A Toolkit for Civilization,” encourages a wide range of submissions, from practical infrastructure systems to experimental designs. Entries can be deployed to the live server, where the player community will be able to use them as part of the judging process. Community voting will play a significant role in determining the final outcomes.
How CCP and Sui View Player Modding
Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP Games, described the initiative as an evolution of modding in online games. He emphasized that EVE Frontier is structured so that builders can modify not just user-facing tools but the underlying systems of a live universe.
Adeniyi Abiodun, Chief Product Officer at Mysten Labs, the original contributors to Sui, highlighted the goal of creating “forever games” that continue to evolve over time. He noted that while CCP and Sui provide the technical foundation, innovation within the ecosystem ultimately depends on the builder community.
Who Can Join the Hackathon
The EVE Frontier × Sui Hackathon 2026 is open to participants worldwide, with both individual developers and teams of up to five members eligible to compete. The event will be held entirely online, making it accessible to builders across different regions who want to contribute to the same persistent universe. Those interested in taking part can register through the official hackathon page here: http://deepsurge.xyz/evefrontier2026
By combining blockchain-backed infrastructure with live server integration, the hackathon highlights how web3 technology is being applied within large-scale multiplayer game development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the EVE Frontier × Sui Hackathon 2026?
The EVE Frontier × Sui Hackathon 2026 is a global online development event organized by CCP Games and Sui. It invites participants to create mods and connected tools for the live universe of EVE Frontier, with a total prize pool of $80,000 USD.
When does the hackathon take place?
The hackathon runs from 11 March to 31 March 2026.
What can participants build during the hackathon?
Participants can build in-game mods that run on Smart Assemblies within EVE Frontier or develop external applications that connect to the game’s live universe through official APIs. These tools can range from infrastructure systems to data-driven platforms.
What are Smart Assemblies in EVE Frontier?
Smart Assemblies are configurable in-game structures such as turrets, gates, and storage units. Developers can install custom logic into these structures, allowing them to perform new functions within the shared universe.
Is the hackathon open to international developers?
Yes, the event is open globally to individuals and teams of up to five participants.
How does Sui support EVE Frontier?
Sui provides the blockchain infrastructure that enables persistent world states, ownership mechanics, and large-scale moddable systems. This framework supports the integration of player-built logic directly into the live server environment.
