Hack Club

ARCADE

Make a game using only HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and a lil bit of AI

POWERED BY AI

Why Are We Using AI?

Games can take weeks to build from scratch. AI helps you learn in this and makes the process a bit faster so you can focus on experimenting, creating, and making something uniquely yours (aka your own first game).

AI builds the first version.
You build the final game.

AI Helps With

  • Creating a prototype
  • Writing code
  • Fixing bugs
  • Adding features
  • Explaining concepts

You Focus On

  • Coming up with ideas
  • Testing your game
  • Improving the design
  • Making it fun
  • Adding personality
AI can generate code.
It can't generate your creativity.
ARCADE JOURNEY

How Arcade Works

Build a game with AI, improve it with your own ideas, then launch it for the world to play.

How Arcade Works

START

Create the first version of your game using AI and submit your prompt.

→

UPGRADE

Add at least 5 improvements and make the game feel like yours.

→

LAUNCH

Publish your game, share your GitHub repo, and show what you've learned.

From a prompt to a playable game.

CHOOSE YOUR PATH

Club Submission
Individual Submission

Arcade for Clubs

Arcade is a Hack Club program where you/your members build games and get rewarded. Run it as a workshop at your next meeting no experience needed, and it works for complete beginners. Clubs are welcome from anywhere in the world!

Running a workshop

Host an Arcade workshop at your club meeting. Members will build their own game using a AI (As per the guide), host it on GitHub Pages, and submit it. Each approved submission earns them rewards. You can use our workshop guide to run the session.

How it works

1

Run the workshop with your club

2

Members build & host their games

3

Close your workshop

4

Get your reward grant!

YayDino

Make a Game using AI

and get Your Reward.

Earn $5 worth of reward for every submission you make.

Arcade Mascot
Robux Robux Grant $5
Steam Steam Grant $5
PlayStation PS5 Store Grant $5
Xbox Xbox Gamepass $5
Gaming Chair Gaming Accessories $5
Snacks Snacks Grant $5
Gaming Disc Gaming Discs $5
Pizza Pizza Grant $5
Robux Robux Grant $5
Steam Steam Grant $5
PlayStation PS5 Store Grant $5
Xbox Xbox Gamepass $5
Gaming Chair Gaming Accessories $5
Snacks Snacks Grant $5
Gaming Disc Gaming Discs $5
Pizza Pizza Grant $5

Arcade Guide

Learn everything you need to know about Arcade, submissions, rewards, workshops, and project requirements.

Arcade for Individuals

Building solo? No problem. Arcade is open to any teenager who wants to build a game and get rewarded for shipping it. No club needed — just you, your code, and your ideas.

How it works

Build a game, host it on GitHub Pages or itch.io, and submit it. Each approved submission earns you rewards. Check out the requirements & examples page first.

Steps

1

Build your game

2

Host it online

3

Submit your game

4

Claim your reward!

Rules & Guidelines

Requirements

  • You must be between 13 and 18 years old.
  • You must not be banned from Hackatime.
  • You must spend at least 1 hour working on your project.
  • Your project must be your own work.

Individual Submission Requirements

  • You must be a member of the Hack Club Slack.
  • Your identity must be verified using Hack Club Auth.
  • You must track your time using Hackatime.
  • You must submit a working project.

AI Usage Policy

AI can be a useful tool for learning, debugging, brainstorming, and understanding concepts.

  • AI usage should remain below 30% of your project work.
  • You must understand all code you submit.
  • Blindly copy-pasting AI-generated projects is not allowed.
  • Projects that are primarily AI-generated may be rejected.
  • Workshops with excessive AI-generated submissions may be reviewed and could risk closure.

If a reviewer asks you to explain your code, you should be able to clearly explain how it works.

Honesty Policy

Do not fabricate hours, commits, screenshots, project progress, submissions, or any other information.

False or misleading submissions may result in rejection and may affect your ability to participate in future Hack Club programs.

Need Help?

Reach out to @Hridhaan for any questions or support.

Join #arcade-ysws on the Hack Club Slack to ask questions, share progress, and get help from other participants.

Arcade (80s Era)