The TON Foundation, alongside key industry partners, has launched the GameOn TON hackathon, offering an impressive $4 million prize pool. The event aims to accelerate the development of web3 games on the TON blockchain while promoting the adoption of the AEON crypto-payment protocol. With notable backing from companies such as Alibaba, Gate.io, and Draper Associates, this hackathon is set to attract the attention of developers worldwide, with a particular focus on building games for the Telegram Mini Apps platform.

GameOn TON Hackathon with $4 Million in Prizes

Games on TON

Riding the wave of success from popular Telegram-based games like Hamster Kombat and Catizen, the GameOn TON hackathon is positioned as the largest of its kind for games built on TON (The Open Network). Scheduled to run from September 19th to December 13th, 2024, the hackathon's primary goal is to foster innovation within the web3 gaming space, particularly on the TON blockchain, while driving the use of AEON's payment system.

While current TON-integrated mini-apps have focused primarily on simple tapping-based mechanics, the hackathon offers an opportunity for developers to diversify the types of games available on the platform. The event could introduce more sophisticated gaming models, potentially reshaping the ecosystem.

Hamster Kombat

$4 Million in Prizes and Incentives

The $4 million prize pool consists of various grants, direct investments, and other rewards. AEON and TON Foundation have committed $2 million to the fund, while Alibaba adds $1 million in grants and cloud services, and Gate.io contributes another $1 million toward investments and grants. The hackathon offers a significant opportunity for both early-stage developers and experienced teams to receive financial backing and support.

A total of 20 teams will share $900,000 in prizes, with the largest rewards reserved for the top three finalists. The winning teams will not only receive financial rewards but also gain visibility in the growing web3 gaming space.

Connecting TON Builders 

Key Partners and Events

The hackathon is hosted by AEON, TON Foundation, Nomad Capital, and TOP, with co-hosts including OKX Wallet, Alibaba Cloud, Gate.io, Draper Associates, Gam3Girl Ventures, and Winking Studios. These organizations are collaborating to provide a mix of virtual sessions and offline events across major cities such as Singapore, Sydney, and Dubai.

Some of the notable events in the hackathon schedule include:

• Developer Bootcamp on 30th October in Dubai
• Announcement of 1200 Semi-Finalists on 23rd November in Sydney
• Announcement of 20 Finalists on 10th December
• Closing Event and Winner Reveal on 13th December in Dubai

Key Partners

Participation Requirements

Teams interested in participating must meet certain requirements, including building their games as Telegram Mini Apps and integrating AEON's crypto-payment protocol. Registration for the hackathon closes on 14th November, with the last day for submissions being 18th November. The event provides a platform for developers to showcase their work to a global audience, and it is expected to attract significant participation from the web3 community.

With the hackathon’s emphasis on innovation and diversity in game design, the outcome could significantly influence the future of gaming on TON, expanding the current landscape dominated by tapping-based mini-games. For more details on how to participate, interested developers can refer to the official hackathon page.