Version Alpha is Dallas’s first gaming-focused hackathon hosted in the middle of DreamHack Dallas, a three-day event with everything gaming under one roof. Asterisk is proud to partner with DreamHack to bring together the best elements of hackathons and gaming in a high powered weekend full of building, prototyping, and epic gg’s.

Over the last decade, few industries have accelerated like that of gaming and esports. New paradigms are being introduced in every game that is produced. Technology has allowed us to push the boundaries of games and their development to new horizons. On the flip side, gaming has contributed a lot to the way we develop new technology. Version Alpha aims to push the boundaries of innovation: gaming and otherwise! For one weekend, a diverse group will collaborate on ideating, prototyping, and exploring the future of tomorrow.

Innovating the Gaming Industry

Outside of games, a variety of software and technology exists for gaming enthusiasts. Platforms like Twitch or Discord provide streaming and communication capabilities to hundreds of millions of users across the globe. Shared marketplaces have made games available and more accessible across a variety of platforms. How might we innovate the products and services around games to make games more inclusive of and accessible to everyone?

Game Development

Developers, designers, artists, and playtesters all share a common interest in pushing the creative boundaries of game development. Whether you work on the biggest franchises or small indie games, prototyping is a valuable and important part of the build process. How might we prototype an innovative game experience over the course of 36 hours?

Gamification in UX

User experience is everything in games. Let’s see how we can extend that experience outside of the gaming industry. How might we utilize the rewarding aspects of gamification to improve product and service offerings?

Find more information on verisonalpha.io

$3,000 in prizes

In order to participate you must be present on site.

• Use of Technology
  Did the team integrate technology into their solution?
• Functionality
  Was a working, functional prototype demonstrated? How well does the solution perform and meet the purpose described?
• Scalability
  Does this solution have the potential to have an impact at scale, globally?
• Creativity
  How creative was the team in developing a unique and innovative solution for the challenge?
• Design & Usability
  How creative was the team in developing a unique and innovative solution for the challenge?