Join us for the Alibaba Cloud Web Game Challenge: $3,000 in Prizes!
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Join us for the Alibaba Cloud Web Game Challenge: $3,000 in Prizes!

Publish Date: Apr 2
196 68

We are thrilled to partner with Alibaba Cloud for a new DEV challenge.

Running through April 13 April 27, the Alibaba Cloud Web Game Challenge invites you to experience the power of Alibaba Cloud services and push the boundaries of browser-based gaming.

There is one prompt for this challenge but three opportunities to win from our $3,000 prize pool!

We hope you give it a try.

Our Prompt

Your mandate is to build a robot-themed web game that utilizes Alibaba Cloud services.

Your game should feature robots in some creative way while showcasing the many products Alibaba Cloud has to offer. Whether you're creating robot battles, robot-building simulations, robot-assisted puzzles, or any other robotic-themed adventure, we want to see how you leverage Alibaba Cloud's infrastructure to create engaging gaming experiences.

Let your imagination run wild!

Multiple Submissions Welcome!

We encourage you to explore different game formats and mechanics to increase your chances of winning! Each unique submission will be judged independently, so you can even iterate on a previous submission by changing the format or features to create a new entry. For example, you can submit a single-player and multi-player version of a game as two separate submissions.

The more innovative approaches you try, the better your odds of winning!

Prizes

We'll be selecting three winners for our one prompt, and each winner will receive:

All Participants with a valid submission will receive a completion badge on their DEV profile.

How To Participate

In order to participate, you will need to sign up for Alibaba Cloud with this specific link and input credit card details to access your free trial.

When you're ready to submit, publish a post using the submission template provided here and ensure your game is deployed on Alibaba Cloud.

We encourage you to utilize ECS for hosting, ApsaraDB for RDS, and OSS for asset storage. If your game has global players, consider using their CDN to optimize asset delivery. For lightweight backend needs, you can explore SAE or Function Compute.

Alibaba Cloud Challenge Submission Template

Be sure to review our judging criteria, rules, guidelines, and FAQ page before submitting so you understand our participation guidelines and official contest rules such as eligibility requirements.

Please note: this challenge has regional availability limitations listed below.

Need Help?

Get to know Alibaba Cloud by utilizing their resources, we recommend starting with:

Additional resources:

Regional Availability

We want to be transparent that Alibaba Cloud services have regional availability limitations and are not directly accessible in some regions, including India and Australia.

For participants in these regions:

  • You may consider using global cloud access solutions to participate (such as secure remote access tools).
  • You remain eligible for all prizes, and we are committed to fulfilling prizes worldwide.
  • International collaboration teams with members in supported regions are welcome.
  • If you're unable to access Alibaba Cloud services, we invite you to explore our other ongoing challenges, which are designed to be globally accessible.

Important Dates

  • April 2: Alibaba Cloud Challenge begins!
  • April 13 April 27: Submissions due at 11:59 PM PDT
  • April 24: Winners Announced

We can't wait to see what robot-themed games you build! Questions about the challenge? Ask them below.

Good luck and happy coding!

Comments 68 total

  • Jess Lee
    Jess LeeApr 2, 2025

    This is going to be a fun one!

  • Ben Halpern
    Ben HalpernApr 2, 2025

    Good luck!

  • ANIRUDDHA ADAK
    ANIRUDDHA ADAKApr 2, 2025

    I love this! Challenge accepted @jess @ben 💯

    Image description

    Image description

  • Ansell Maximilian
    Ansell MaximilianApr 2, 2025

    Good luck everyone!

  • Haseeb Arshad
    Haseeb ArshadApr 3, 2025

    Can we win it twice in the same prompt or thrice?

    • Poppy W
      Poppy WApr 8, 2025

      yes it is possible. each prize will have a separated evaluation

  • PARTH PARIWANDH
    PARTH PARIWANDHApr 3, 2025

    Great

  • Deborah okobi
    Deborah okobiApr 3, 2025

    Good luck

  • uratmangun
    uratmangunApr 4, 2025

    robot bip bip bip 🤖

  • lynnGuiran-hub
    lynnGuiran-hubApr 4, 2025

    good luck to anyone

  • Grégory Barbé (Greg)
    Grégory Barbé (Greg)Apr 4, 2025

    Hey DEV Community 👋,

    I’m participating in the Alibaba Cloud Web Game Challenge and hit a roadblock while setting up my infrastructure. Here’s the situation:

    1️⃣ Goal : Deploy a Node.js/WebSocket server for a robot battle game using Alibaba’s ECS t5 Free Tier (1C1G).
    2️⃣ Issue : Getting the error “Sorry you are not eligible for this campaign” despite being a new user.
    3️⃣ Steps Taken :

    Submitted a support ticket to Alibaba Cloud (no response yet 😕).

    Tried different regions (Singapore/US West) – same error.

    Verified my account is fully verified.

    Question for the Community :

    Has anyone faced this issue? Any workarounds to access ECS or alternatives like PolarDB/ApsaraDB?

    For those in restricted regions (India/Australia), how did you bypass the geo-limitations?

    Can I use Function Compute or SAE instead for a lightweight backend?

    The challenge deadline is April 13, and I’m stuck on step 1. Any guidance would save my project! 🙏

    Technical Context :

    Game Stack: Phaser.js (frontend) + Node.js (backend).

    Need: Persistent server for matchmaking + real-time battles.

    • Poppy W
      Poppy WApr 8, 2025

      Hello, dear friend,
      I am from the web operation team of Alibaba Cloud. Srry that we just saw your message. Can you please provide your UID and issue ticket (If you have ) to us? I will get an assistance for you as soon as possible.

      • Jasmin Virdi
        Jasmin VirdiApr 8, 2025

        Hi @poppy_wang ,

        I am also facing this issue and have raised a ticket with the team. Also, In my case I want to use ApsaraDB for RDS and there it is again asking me to submit the ticket in case of free trial.

        Ticket number - 006521R4TD.

        Please let me know if you need any other details from my side. Thanks

        • АнонимApr 9, 2025

          [deleted]

          • Poppy W
            Poppy WApr 9, 2025

            Customer solution team will respond your question as soon as possible, if issue is not solved please send me your UID for check.

    • Poppy W
      Poppy WApr 9, 2025

      Please let me know your UID, and I will have the web team to track its issue.

    • Attila Olbrich
      Attila OlbrichApr 23, 2025

      I’ve had a similar experience — I couldn’t access the free trial through the provided link, and with the deadline approaching, I had to go for a much simpler setup on ECS due to cost concerns and paid for the instance. Unfortunately, my request for the trial was denied since I had already made a purchase and am no longer considered a new customer. On top of that, ECS performance has been extremely slow. I raised a ticket, but support insists everything is fine. To compare, I tested the same setup on a similarly sized virtual machine from another provider, and the performance difference is significant. Overall, I’m quite disappointed with how things have turned out.

  • Arya Teja
    Arya TejaApr 4, 2025

    I have a small concept in mind for multiple player FPS(first person shooter) game.

    Simple and playable. But I don’t have too much time or skills to completely build it myself.

    I can work on certain parts of the design and architecture. As long as we are developing and designing modularly I can vibe code.

    If anyone’s interested in collaborating let me know. Let’s have fun 🥂

  • ullas kunder
    ullas kunderApr 6, 2025

    not for India ?

    Image description

    • Jess Lee
      Jess LeeApr 9, 2025

      Hi @ullas0bito, Alibaba Cloud is not available in India but if you are able to find another way to access their service, we will honor your submission and still consider it for prizing.

  • Zoya Khan
    Zoya KhanApr 6, 2025

    Hello friends

  • Long Phan
    Long PhanApr 7, 2025

    Good luck

  • Anirudh
    AnirudhApr 7, 2025

    I hardly have any idea about game dev, but this is the perfect time to vibe code something. I'm excited.

  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • АнонимApr 7, 2025

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  • Shweta Kale
    Shweta KaleApr 8, 2025

    I'm not clear on the requirements.
    If we already have an account, should we use a different email?
    What should we do if we are from India or Australia? I didn’t understand what You may consider using global cloud access solutions to participate (such as secure remote access tools) means.

  • abdessamed gtumsila
    abdessamed gtumsilaApr 8, 2025

    The competition is exciting and combines creativity and learning using Alibaba Cloud services.
    gtu

  • АнонимApr 8, 2025

    [deleted]

  • Kate Albert
    Kate AlbertApr 10, 2025

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    Uploading image

  • Kate Albert
    Kate AlbertApr 10, 2025

    My name is Kate , I want to say a big thanks to MAXIMUS HACKERS RECOVERY for a Great Job, I am well pleased with your service.
    To have your stolen bitcoin recovered, get in touch with MAXIMUS HACKERS RECOVERY. I personally used their services, and they were totally successful in getting my cryptocurrency back from the hacker. They offer round-the-clock service and are always there for help. I would recommend it to anyone who is attempting to recover their cryptocurrency.
    Contact details:
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    WhatsApp number: ( +44-737-756-2755)
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  • Uzondu
    UzonduApr 11, 2025

    I’d like to kindly suggest extending the deadline for the Alibaba challenge. With several submissions still incomplete and overall participation appearing low, a short extension could greatly improve the quality and number of entries. This would help ensure a more well-rounded selection of winners and motivate more developers to take part. Thank you for considering this!

  • Peter Vivo
    Peter VivoApr 12, 2025

    Welcome the deadline extending. The first one is unrealistict short.

  • Karan Sinha
    Karan SinhaApr 13, 2025

    Hey DEV crew,

    The Alibaba Cloud Web Game Challenge got me hyped (but I am from India) —robot-themed games built with AI and Alibaba’s cloud stack? Yes, please! 🤖 I’ve been creating AiGameBoy, a platform where you can showcase your AI-crafted games, and I think it’s the perfect spot to share your challenge entries.

    Imagine uploading your ECS-hosted bot-brawler or ApsaraDB-powered puzzle-droid for the community to play. I tried making a game myself, and the AI spat out a rogue toaster bot that shoots bagels—gloriously weird! 😆

    If you joined the challenge, drop your game on AiGameBoy and let’s see what you built! What’s the quirkiest thing your AI came up with? Can’t wait to play your creations! 🎮

    AlibabaCloudChallenge #GameDev #AI #IndieGames #WebGames

  • Schemetastic (Rodrigo)
    Schemetastic (Rodrigo)Apr 14, 2025

    I tried to purchase a free tier of the ecs.t5-lc1m1.small and the order says that it is more than $100

    Order details

    Also, I tried to get a resource plan for the CDN and the amount to pay it says that it is $4.00

    Label: $4.00 and a button that say's “Buy Now”

    I did use the link specified to create my account, but I couldn't complete the whole sign process at the moment so I continued later, I don't know if that affected the free tier somehow, or if it is because I got a 50% coupon (which in the screenshots there I didn't use it).

    I don't know if that is what it should happen and then automatically that amount gets discounted to $0.00, but there isn't any clear indication about it, and I find it confusing, also I already clicked on the button that say “Free Trial”, but no different results so far.

    Hopefully there will be more clearance about it in the next few days so I can have enough time to create my entry.

    • Poppy W
      Poppy WApr 17, 2025

      Hi ! Friend, Here is the responce I got from IT support from the Web Team.
      Each user only has one chance of free trail for one product.
      First, you must enter through the free trial page. Then, check if there are any interception prompts.
      If there’s no interception and they land directly on the purchase page, it is likely not first-time buyers.
      Also, Users who have added PayPal as a payment method, been intercepted by risk control, or have not completed their information are not eligible to participate in the free trial.

      • Schemetastic (Rodrigo)
        Schemetastic (Rodrigo)Apr 17, 2025

        Hello, thanks for reaching out to me.

        I did open a support ticket, and yes, the payment method I added was PayPal and I think that's why the in the order the discounted price didn't appear, but even though I tried to add a physical debit card (yes, with more than $1.00 available) I had an error, so, I don't know why, I don't know if it had to do anything with the bank I'm using, or I don't know.

        I don't know if this issue will be fixed, I already mention this to support, maybe they still will help me with this. In any case, thanks.

      • Schemetastic (Rodrigo)
        Schemetastic (Rodrigo)Apr 21, 2025

        Some update, the support team made research on my card, and they said that the bank rejected the transaction.

        So, in any case, I think I'll pass on this competition, GG, everyone.

  • АнонимApr 20, 2025

    [deleted]

    • Poppy W
      Poppy WApr 22, 2025

      They are the same thing just with different domain names.
      Please use our official register link on DEV website in order to track the participants for the Hackathon.

      • АнонимApr 22, 2025

        [deleted]

        • АнонимApr 22, 2025

          [deleted]

          • Poppy W
            Poppy WApr 22, 2025

            Hi, Dear Friend, I understand your situation. Since this Hackathon is sponsored by Alibaba Cloud for expanding the International Market, so we can only accept First Time Users to Alibaba Cloud. However, there are many Hackathon opportunities in Aliyun, operated by our company Chinese website.
            Please explore Chinese Hackathons on our Aliyun Page, eg. aliyun.com/about/aihands-on?

            • АнонимApr 22, 2025

              [deleted]

              • Poppy W
                Poppy WApr 22, 2025

                I am very sorry, dear friend. This Hackathon is only for Alibaba Cloud International participants.
                If you do have different card to access Alibaba Cloud Free trial then it will be eligible.

  • Nesh
    NeshApr 21, 2025

    Too complex to set up Alibaba Cloud .I am from India, my head was messed up some days ago wile setting it up, tried today as well got nothing done !!!!!!!!! 😥😥😥😥

  • Nakiboneka Mary Margret
    Nakiboneka Mary MargretApr 22, 2025

    This is amazing will attend the challenge

  • Gulab
    GulabApr 23, 2025

    Built a cool #Python project using #AI, #ML & agentic AI! Check out the full walkthrough and demo in my latest YouTube video.
    Watch now

    MachineLearning #DeepLearning #Coding

    youtu.be/r9Altvw30Sg?si=UHh9RRW8ax...

  • Karan Sinha
    Karan SinhaApr 30, 2025

    Hi friends where have you guys hosted your games I would love to play them. Use our platform for sharing with the world.

    I’ve been creating AiGameBoy, a platform where you can showcase your AI-crafted games, and I think it’s the perfect spot to share your challenge entries.

  • Kai Chew
    Kai ChewMay 1, 2025

    Thanks for ping me for the bug! Fixed!

    Initial Problem: The Hytopia server failed to start inside the Docker container, crashing with an ENOENT: no such file or directory error for /root/.bun/install/cache/mediasoup@3.15.7@@@1/worker/out/Release/mediasoup-worker. This indicated the required mediasoup-worker native binary was missing.

    Added Build Tools: We modified the Dockerfile to install necessary build tools (python3, make, g++) before bun install, suspecting they were needed to compile mediasoup-worker. This initially didn't fix the issue, likely due to Docker's build cache.
    Forced Rebuild (--no-cache): Rebuilding the image with --no-cache still resulted in the ENOENT error.
    Explicit Postinstall: Adding an explicit step to run mediasoup's postinstall script failed because bun install wasn't creating a local node_modules directory in that build context.
    Corrected Dockerfile Order: We changed the Dockerfile to COPY . . (copying all source code) before RUN bun install. This allowed bun install to correctly build mediasoup-worker.

    Final Outcome: The server now starts successfully within the Docker container on the ECS instance, connecting to the database and initializing the game, running without the volume mount and with the correct database credentials.

    Refer HermitONL 0.1 (RobotCapitol): a 3D Game to learn Bitcoin (Russian Roulette Drop style)

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