Australian student game contest ends over AI judging concerns
Organizer ACER said generative AI made it hard to tell whether students built their own games, and the contest ends after its 2026 edition.
The Australian STEM Videogame Challenge, a game development contest for school students, will end after its 2026 edition, organizer ACER has confirmed. The Australian Council for Educational Research said the contest will not continue beyond that year.
ACER attributed the decision to the rapid and complex rise of generative AI in game development. The organizer said it had become difficult to judge whether students had made their own games, and that the program had drifted from its original purpose.
The contest rules permitted partial code generation and the use of AI to find and fix bugs, provided the work was documented in the game design document. According to PC Gamer, which interviewed ACER, the organizer said there are no plans to revise those rules for generative AI or to hold an alternative event.
A Reddit user who said they had served as a judge cited games made entirely with AI as the main reason for the closure. The user, who posted what they described as an email about the decision and is identified only by the handle SingleAttitude8, said some students submitted games made entirely with AI.
Contest ran since 2014
The challenge began in 2014 for Australian students from year 5 to year 12, aiming to boost interest in STEM through game development. It also sought to give opportunities to girls and students from disadvantaged areas.
Quick answers
Why is the Australian STEM Videogame Challenge ending?
Organizer ACER said the rapid rise of generative AI in game development made it hard to judge whether students made their own games, and that the program drifted from its original purpose.
When will the contest end?
It will end after its 2026 edition.
Will there be a replacement event?
ACER said there are no plans to revise the contest rules for generative AI or to hold an alternative event.