Judging criteria

Ctrl+Alt+Disinfo is a multi-stage, international game jam/ hackathon to create high-quality, engaging video games focused on building critical thinking and media literacy skills to increase skepticism around propaganda and disinformation.

Teams are encouraged to engage with the project’s library of resources.

All games will be judged on the following criteria.

Content (40 Points)

  • Does the game clearly tackle the topic of media literacy or disinformation?
  • Does the game draw from proven methods of improving critical thinking, media literacy, digital literacy and prebunking?
  • After playing the game, will a player have deepened their understanding of the content/concept? 
    • Are there clear outcome goals? Is it evident that, after playing through this game, the player will be better informed, better able to determine false information, better able to identify disinformation and propaganda, etc.?
  • Is there a clear progression toward those outcomes throughout the game?

Innovative Approach (15 Points)

  • Is the material presented in an innovative way within the context of the game?
  • Does the game take a unique approach to how media literacy/understanding disinformation is integrated within the game’s design and narrative?
  • Will it engage the target audience around the theme?

Gameplay (30 Points)

  • Overall gameplay experience
  • Quality of the gameplay mechanics
  • Quality of the artwork and graphics
  • Quality of sound design
  • Is the game engaging?
  • Is the gameplay a new or original approach?
  • Gameplay is intuitive or easy to learn with instructions
  • Feasibility 

Additional Criteria

The following criteria will not be scored until the 2-month submission round; however, we strongly encourage jammers to review and consider these areas of future game assessment from the outset as they may influence design and/or development decisions.

Business Plan (10 Points)

[For 2-month submission only]

  • Vision for this project
  • Target audience
  • How will the team reach their target audience?
  • Does the game demonstrate potential for further development and refinement?
  • What platform(s) is this game being developed for and why this platform?
    • How will the team sustain the game after the end of the project period?

Specific to Ukrainian Team Business Plans

  • How will the team use the funds?
  • How will the team ensure the game is done on time?
    • Project timeline
    • Plan for contingencies (No game has ever been developed without challenges.)

Team (5 Points)

[For 2-month submission only]

  • Does the team have the necessary people to bring this game to market?
  • If not, how will they address those needs?

Pitch Competition (10 Points)

[Finalists only]

  • Finalists will be notified if selected.

Teams based in Ukraine will have a 1.1x multiplier applied in each scoring round.

At every stage in the judging process, all games will be reviewed by multiple judges. All judging decisions will be final and are not be subject to negotiation.