RTS Game Awards

Your child will develop a project: from idea to release, with guidance from IT mentors and a certificate of participation.

Awards
March 1

Deadline
February 22

Start
January 24

Registration
January 5–22

Developers from 50 countries take part in the competition

The theme of the "Rocket Boss Invention Festival" competition

International online competition for children in game development

About the Competition

Competition — like real developer work

Have you noticed that kids can spend hours playing games, but competitions for them are usually boring academic contests?

We decided to change that.

In this competition, children create their own games like professional developers: they invent their own worlds, learn to work in teams, meet deadlines, and present their projects to the jury.

Essentially, it’s a mini version of a real project: as if the participant has their own startup — and they need not just to “tinker,” but to take an idea to completion and confidently present it.

Here’s how the previous competition went: a mentor and host discuss the project with the winner.

Why Participate

Your child will experience being a real game developer

They will master key skills needed to start a career and succeed in adult life

1. Understand the entire game development process

Develop project thinking and be able to manage complex projects: from idea to release.

In adult life

Will be able to manage and complete large projects. Without this skill, a career hits a ceiling: no management opportunities and limited income growth.

During Game Awards

Understands the stages of a project and how to combine them so the project works correctly.

Before Game Awards

Works on a single task and doesn’t understand how it becomes a full project.

2. Learn to manage time and make decisions

In the competition, deadlines are strict: this teaches the child to set priorities and complete tasks.

In adult life

Delivers projects on time and keeps commitments. Without this skill, a person misses deadlines, faces penalties, and risks damaging their career.

During Game Awards

Learns to plan tasks, allocate time, and make decisions to get everything done.

Before Game Awards

Poor time management. Plays games when homework should be done, then ends up achieving nothing.

3. Learn to work in a team and be a leader

The child learns to negotiate, assign roles, and lead the team to achieve results.

In adult life

Can work in a team and lead people. Without this skill, they won’t trust a team and will face conflicts.

During Game Awards

Learns to work in a team with mentors: discuss decisions, defend their position, and listen to others.

Before Game Awards

Argues with friends, finds it hard to reach agreements, and often works alone.

All of this happens with experienced mentors

5. Unleash creativity

4. Stop being afraid of making mistakes

The competition includes workshops and mentor support. The child gains condensed insights from years of experience, instead of spending years learning the same lessons through trial and error.

The child learns to generate ideas and solutions — one of the key skills for the future.

The child practices on a real project without the fear of “breaking everything.” Mentors help identify mistakes and show how to fix them.

Participation format — separate formats for beginners and advanced participants

Concept

For beginners and those who are not confident in coding. You need to come up with a game idea: the world, characters, and gameplay. You do not need to develop it.

No experience

Full game

For those who have already created projects in Roblox, Python, Unity, Scratch, or Minecraft. You need to come up with a game idea and develop it to a final, complete result.

Some experience

How to register for the Game Awards

To take part in the competition, you need to install Discord — it is a communication app where the entire competition takes place.

After installation, you need to create an account or sign in to an existing one.

Click Download for Windows. If you have a Mac, the site will automatically offer the Mac version.

Step 1. Install and register on Discord

Go to the official Discord website:

discord.com

and install the app (this will take 2–3 minutes).

Step 2. Join our Discord server

Here is the link where the entire competition will take place:

https://discord.gg/Kw5Cbx66ev

Choose your language and interests, and optionally enable notifications (the @Active role).

Step 3. Introduce yourself in the channel

You can also register on your own in the #rts-news channel.

Just react to the latest post and wait for instructions.

Write a short message about yourself in the #introductions channel.

Now your child is in the caring hands of our moderators: they will help and guide them through registering for the RTS Game Awards.

Jury

And six expert teachers from RTS School:

The jury consists of students from top technical universities and specialists from leading IT companies

Founder of Playducky — mobile game development.

Ivan Fedyanin

Developer and game jam participant. Game and cutscene designer. Worked 3 years at MyGames.

Vladimir Semykin

Founder of Bloxels and Spaces, platforms for creating 3D games.

Roman Alekseenko

Join in and follow your child’s journey through the competition

Criteria for concept submissions

Evaluation

Evaluation criteria

The RTS Game Awards jury will evaluate entries based on the following points.

5. Presentation and clarity — how well the game concept is communicated

4. Concept coherence — the connection between idea, world, and characters.

3. Visual language — quality of sketches or illustrations for the game concept.

2. Logic and thoughtfulness — clear and coherent presentation of the game idea.

1. Originality — how unique the game concept is compared to others.

Criteria for full game development

7. Completeness — how polished the game is and whether it has any flaws.

6. Visual design — graphics and overall appearance of the game.

5. Sound design — quality of sounds and music that create the game’s atmosphere.

4. Originality — how unique the game is compared to others.

3. Technical implementation and stability — how well the game works without bugs or crashes.

2. Gameplay and UX (User Experience) — how user-friendly and engaging the game is.

1. Theme relevance — how well the game reflects the main theme of the game jam.

Competition Map

February 6–8

February 28 – March 1

by February 25

February 9

February 13–15

by February 22

February 18

February 20-22

Prize Ceremony
after March 2

Accelerator #2: Gameplay and Mechanics

Rocket Show

Evaluation

Accelerator #4: Release and Presentation

Game submission

Meeting with the expert Roman Alekseenko

Accelerator #3: Gameplay and Mechanics

Meeting with the expert
Ivan Fedyanin

Accelerator #1 – Idea Generation

Meeting with the expert Vladimir Semykin

Opening

Registration

January 30 – February 1

January 28

January 24

January 5–22

Schedule

Here’s what parents of participants from previous competitions say

Reviews

Elena Severyaeva

Zlata’s Mom, 14 y.o

Before the competition, Egor would constantly abandon projects halfway through. We even wondered if it was worth continuing to invest in his learning. The Game Awards became a turning point. It was challenging, there were deadlines, but for the first time he finished something. This changed his overall attitude toward studying.

When Artem presented his project, I realized he had grown. He clearly explained what he had done, where the mistakes were, and how he fixed them. After the competition, he said he wants to become a programmer. Before that, he had no idea what he wanted to be.

We were worried that the competition would be for “advanced” kids and that Zlata would get discouraged. In reality, it was very supportive. She came out feeling that she is capable of more than she thought. For a teenager, that makes a huge difference.

When Vlad said, “Mom, do you want to play my game?” I was skeptical. I thought he would show me something simple, just for a couple of minutes.

But I actually got completely absorbed. There was a story, choices to make, even music. At one point, I realized—HE MADE THIS HIMSELF! Without me, without any hints. I finished the game with an immense feeling of pride that’s hard to put into words.

Sergey Tereshko, Latvia

Artem’s Dad, 15 y.o.

Anastasia Peshkina, Australia

Egor’s Mom, 9 y.o.

Maria Shtepelidze, Germany

Vlad’s Mom, 11 y.o.

Hall of Fame

Winners of past competitions

Hall of Fame

Winners of past competitions

Hall of Fame

Winners of past competitions

Python category

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Audience
Choice
Award

exploit000 • Visual Novel

The story unfolds on New Year’s Eve, centered on a researcher of cosmic mysteries. Creative approach, clean code.

feliiiixb • Puzzle

The player’s task is to complete 11 levels and find a New Year’s gift. Highly clean and structured code.

djason • Narrative Adventure

A famous actor comes to you and says your planet is under attack—what do you do? Simple but engaging gameplay.

Roblox + Unity Category

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Audience
Choice
Award

Linker • Adventure game

The player’s task is to restore their spaceship on a wintery planet. Interesting gameplay and mechanics.

Stas96 • Action game

The main objective is to decorate a tree with unusual planetary ornaments while traveling through amazing corners of the galaxy.

mishakadetov • Obby game

The player must escape the obby by completing all challenges. Simple and convenient gameplay. Creative approach.

Номинация Scratch

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Audience
Choice
Award

thefoxinator • Action game

The player’s task is to reach the end and receive a Christmas gift from a mysterious stranger.

toooast • Arcade

The player collects candies and levels up their character. Striking concept, creative approach.

TMRcom • Action game

The player is Santa’s heroic helper and Christmas savior. Creative sprites, funny holiday theme, easy controls.

Номинация Minecraft

realstonksman • Quest Game

All types of server-side programming were used. The gameplay elements are also very well implemented.

raiises • Sandbox

Shop purchases take place in a Christmas-themed environment. Turtles were skillfully used to build all key components.

Gold

Silver

Audience
Choice
Award

Python Category

Python team X • Action game

Excellent combat system design, memorable visuals, and consistent pacing. The audience loved the style and overall design.

Team Python I • Action game

Objective: collect trash and escape from the square villain! Simple but exciting gameplay with an interesting concept.

Team Python VII • Farm Simulator

Objective: collect trash and exchange it for seedlings, which can later be planted. Stylish game with a creative idea.

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Audience
Choice
Award

Номинация Roblox

Team Roblox IX • Simulator

Objective: clean the city of all trash, earn rewards, and plant greenery. Perfect execution of a great idea.

Team Roblox XIII • Walking Sim

A game about cleaning on different planets in an alternate universe. The audience appreciated the atmosphere and vibrant location design.

Team Roblox I • Adventure game

Why is it so hard to leave home and finally touch the grass? Stylish design and unique atmosphere.

Team Roblox XII • Simulator

Collecting trash together on a tropical island. Interesting concept with many engaging mechanics.

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Audience
Choice
Award

Audience
Choice
Award

Unity Category

.de2. • Management Sim

The player’s task is to manage a small enclosed ecosystem and survive 5 difficulty escalating events. Simple but engaging gameplay.

Team Unity V • Horror game

Excellent implementation of horror elements, with humor and dynamic gameplay. The audience highly appreciated this game!

Team Unity III • Clicker game

Collecting trash from the ocean. Features both “classic” and “endless” modes.

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Audience
Choice
Award

Scratch Category

kosmo.cat • Clicker Game

The player’s task is to destroy space trash and prevent it from reaching planet Earth. Interesting concept, lots of fun Easter eggs, simple but engaging gameplay.

toooast • Tower defence

The player controls a rocket, defending Earth from incoming space debris. Humor, implementation of complex and non-obvious mechanics.

romanhakh • Survival Simulator

The player must collect trash and survive in an abandoned city. Stylish backgrounds and sprites, incredibly thoughtful and memorable design.

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Audience
Choice
Award

Python Category

Just • Platformer Shooter

Gold

Audience
Choice
Award

Top-notch visuals. The transition from 2D to 3D is excellently implemented, adding variety to the gameplay.

Mando • Visual Novel

Striking characters, gripping story, excellent progress-saving system, and a user-friendly interface.

42games • Visual Novel

Interesting menu and sound design. The audience loved the game for its humor and Easter eggs.

Silver

Bronze

Номинация Roblox

Cool guys • Action game

Unique and memorable design, user-friendly and detailed interface, and engaging, dynamic gameplay.

daniil145 • Adventure game

Intresting design, creative styling, and well-executed game mechanics.

mishakadetov • Adventure game

Exciting thriller that begins as an ordinary day. Creative concept with a well-thought-out story.

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Audience
Choice
Award

Unity Category

FeN1kS • Shooter

Top-level visual and sound effects. Excellent adherence to the theme.

Uncle Bob RTX on • Walking Sim

The player explores colorful locations in a winter biome. The game impressed the audience with its visuals and graphics.

my-cat-come-here • Quest

The player’s task is to complete quests given by colorful characters. Bright character design and user-friendly interface.

OCAEEAM • Platformer

The player collects rocket coins and overcomes obstacles. Incredible background artwork and visual effects.

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Audience
Choice
Award

Scratch Category

2xVxG • Management Sim

Well-designed interface and interestingly implemented mining mechanics. The audience appreciated the game for its references to the RTS universe.

Константин • Action game

The player’s task is to save the world from asteroids and survive for a record time. Creative approach with hand-drawn backgrounds and included cutscenes.

Звёздные Venoms • Adventure game

The player must find a crystal responsible for heating the city. Creative concept with detailed background design.

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Audience
Choice
Award

Minecraft Category

Ersemanchik • Adventure game

The player’s task is to complete character quests and reach a flashy finale. Smooth launch and mod integration, with extremely detailed level design.

elite kupimotors • Adventure game

High-quality level design, utilizing assets, textures, and plugins. The audience truly appreciated this game.

Gold

Silver

Audience
Choice
Award

FAQ

Yes. We evaluate not only the “coolness” of the project, but also how well it fits the Game Jam theme, its coherence, usability.

It is often harder to honestly adapt a ready-made game to a new theme than to create one from scratch for a specific prompt.

Additionally, we have a bonus system for educational value, original solutions, and accessibility.

The evaluation criteria are open — you can see in advance exactly what earns points.

We maintain a friendly atmosphere. Children interact, support each other, discuss ideas, and celebrate others’ victories.

Mentors are always nearby. They help process emotions, analyze what worked and what didn’t, and turn “I’m upset” into “I understand how to do better next time.” As a result, the child leaves not feeling defeated, but with experience and confidence in their growth.

The competition runs for a limited time and is structured so it doesn’t feel like a second school term. It’s not “staying up all night suffering” — there is a clear rhythm: a few hours per week, with defined stages and deadlines.

In practice, this is even useful for school: the child learns to plan time, collaborate in a team, and complete tasks. These are exactly the skills often missing in regular school.

Children from 7 to 18 years old can participate — the format is open to all.
The recommended age is 10+, as at this age children find it easier to work in a team, take feedback, and complete a project instead of abandoning it midway.

You can also include younger children — they just need a bit more support. We account for this, and mentors are always available to help them stay on track and avoid burnout.

Competition Partners

Contacts

Questions? Get in touch!

Email

WhatsApp

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