Overview
AI Game Makers is for our younger creators. Each student picks one UN Sustainable Development Goal and builds a browser game about it, using generative AI tools to help design, code and improve the game.
On Saturday, 19 December 2026, students bring their game to SMU, present it to a panel of judges and answer a few questions about how they built it and how they used AI.
Theme: UN Sustainable Development Goals x Generative AI
Choose one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and develop your own original project that tackles it with the help of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude.
State your chosen SDG clearly in your presentation and in your prompt journal. Projects are judged on how well they fit the SDG you picked.
Eligibility
Open to any student aged 7 to 10 as of 19 December 2026. This is an individual competition — one student, one project.
What You Build
AI-Assisted Browser Game
A playable browser game about your chosen SDG, built with help from generative AI.
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1Build a web browser game with generative AI.
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2SDG Theme.
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3Present your project and journey.
Recommended (not compulsory)
- A score that changes as the player plays
- A win/lose condition
- 2 or more levels
- A consistent art style and colour theme
- Custom or AI-generated characters, backgrounds and sprites
- Smooth animations
- Clear, readable text, buttons and score display
- Visual effects when scoring or losing a life
- Title screen artwork
- Sound effects and music
What to Submit
Upload a single ZIP file through the project submission form by Friday, 18 December 2026, 6:00pm (Singapore time).
- ZIP of your game files — the game must open from index.html
- Prompt journal — your key AI prompts and what each one changed in your game, plus your chosen SDG
- Slides (optional)
AI Tools & Accounts
Students use their own tools and their own accounts. CodeFest does not provide AI tools, API keys or credits. Free tiers of tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude are enough to build a strong project. Keep a note of your best prompts as you go — they go into your prompt journal.
CodeFest 2026 is software only — no hardware, robotics, micro:bit or Arduino projects.
How It Works
Register by Saturday, 12 December 2026
Sign up online and select the AI Game Makers category. Fee: S$95 per student.
Prepare Your Project
Pick one of the 17 UN SDGs and build your individual game before the event, using generative AI tools.
Submit by Friday, 18 December 2026, 6:00pm
Upload your ZIP file through the project submission form.
Saturday, 19 December 2026 — Morning Presentations at SMU
Present your project to the judging panel: 8 minutes, followed by a short Q&A with the judges.
Saturday, 19 December 2026 — Afternoon Awards Ceremony
Winners are announced and prizes awarded. Families are welcome.
Presentation Day
| Session | Saturday, 19 December 2026 · SMU |
|---|---|
| Morning | Individual presentations to the judging panel — 8 minutes per student, followed by a short Q&A |
| Afternoon | Awards ceremony |
Exact timings will be confirmed closer to the event.
You present from your own laptop. Slides are optional. No hosting or live link is needed — your project runs from the files on your laptop.
What to Bring
- Your own laptop, fully charged, with your project files on it
- Laptop charger
- Optional slides for your presentation
- Water bottle
Test offline beforehand. Make sure your game opens from index.html on your laptop without relying on venue Wi-Fi.
What's Included
Judging Panel Presentation
An 8-minute presentation slot plus Q&A with the judges.
Certificate
Certificate of participation for every student.
Awards Ceremony
Afternoon awards ceremony at SMU on Saturday, 19 December 2026.
Judging Criteria
| Criterion | Weight | What judges look for |
|---|---|---|
| Creative & effective AI use | 25% | How well AI was used to design, build and improve the game |
| Technical execution | 20% | The game and its implemented features work reliably |
| Creativity & game design | 15% | Original idea, fun to play, clear goals |
| Aesthetics & graphics | 10% | Visual coherence, clear graphics and readable interface |
| Understanding & responsible AI (Q&A) | 15% | Explains how the game works and how AI was used sensibly |
| Presentation | 10% | Clear, confident 8-minute presentation |
| SDG theme fit | 5% | The game clearly tackles the chosen SDG |
| Total | 100% |
Prizes
All participants receive a certificate.
Registration Fee
Per student. Register by Saturday, 12 December 2026. Includes your presentation slot and certificate.
Rules
- Individual competition — every student builds and presents their own project.
- Prepare before the event — submit your project by Friday, 18 December 2026, 6:00pm.
- One SDG — pick one of the 17 UN SDGs and state it in your presentation and prompt journal.
- Your own tools — use your own AI tools and accounts; none are provided.
- No hardware — no robotics, micro:bit or Arduino.
- Prompt journal required — show the key prompts you used and what they changed.