Portals Brings Horror and Retro Games to Blocktoberfest 2025

A New Kind of Online Game Jam

Spooky season just got an upgrade. Portals, the browser-based no-code creation platform, has teamed up with Atari and Block of Horror to launch Blocktoberfest 2025, a four-week online game jam packed with creativity, nostalgia, and plenty of jump scares. Running from September 26 to October 24, this year’s event offers a massive $50,000 prize pool and invites creators worldwide to design horror games or immersive 3D scenes right in their browser.

Unlike traditional hackathons that demand coding skills, Blocktoberfest is entirely no-code. Anyone—whether a seasoned developer or a total beginner—can take part using Portals’ drag-and-drop tools.

Why Blocktoberfest Matters

Blocktoberfest 2025 is more than just a competition—it’s a cultural mash-up. By combining Atari’s legendary retro titles with Block of Horror’s community-driven indie scares, the event bridges gaming history and modern innovation. The idea is simple: let creators remix classic and indie horror IPs into something new, weird, and terrifying.

And with Halloween week set as the grand showcase (October 31–November 3), timing couldn’t be better. Fans and players can explore submissions online, vote for favorites, and celebrate the winners during spooky season’s biggest celebration.

What You Can Build

Participants must pick from three tracks:

• Atari Track – Use classic titles like Haunted House, Dracula: The Undead, Shark Jaws, or Alien Brigade to create fresh 3D experiences with a retro twist.

• Block of Horror Track – Build worlds inspired by indie horror gems like CARRION, HELL FROZEN OVER, or HOW I BROUGHT ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD.

• Artist Track – Focus purely on visuals. Instead of gameplay, artists can craft atmospheric 3D scenes or still art that tell chilling stories.

Each project must be playable or viewable in the browser and should include a start-to-finish loop. For artists, atmosphere, design, and visual storytelling take center stage.

The Prize Pool Breakdown

The $50,000 USD prize pool is divided into Big Prizes and Mini Prizes.

Big Prizes

Each main track—Atari, Block of Horror, and Artist—has its own top three awards:

• Atari Track: $10,000 (1st), $7,500 (2nd), $2,500 (3rd)

• Block of Horror Track: $10,000 (1st), $7,500 (2nd), $2,500 (3rd)

• Artist Track: $2,500 (1st), $1,500 (2nd), $1,000 (3rd)

Mini Prizes

Community voting adds another layer of fun. Fans will decide winners for:

• Scare Award – Best horror moment ($1,000)

• Shocker Award – Best twist or reveal ($1,000)

• Creativity Award – Most original use of IP ($1,000)

• Community Award – Most voted project ($2,000)

  
  

How Judging Works

Judges will explore entries directly inside Portals from October 25 to October 30. Scoring is based on five criteria:

• For games: IP usage, gameplay, horror mood, browser performance, and originality.

• For artists: IP representation, design quality, layout, performance, and creativity.

This ensures both technical polish and creative risk-taking are rewarded.

The Role of Portals

At the core of Blocktoberfest is Portals, a platform often described as the Roblox of Web3. It allows users to build and share 3D environments entirely inside a browser, with instant publishing and testing. No coding, no downloads, no friction.

This lowers the barrier to entry for newcomers while giving veterans a chance to experiment quickly. With horror as the theme, Portals becomes a playground for scares, atmosphere, and eerie storytelling.

For those curious about the broader world of blockchain-powered experiences, check out our guide to blockchain games and how platforms like Portals are shaping the next generation of digital creativity.

Entry Rules and Deadlines

To compete, participants must:

• Submit by October 23, 2025 (11:59 PM UTC).

• Use only approved Atari or Block of Horror titles.

• Ensure games or scenes load smoothly in-browser.

• Follow the event’s Code of Conduct (no NSFW, hateful, or plagiarized content).

Entries that meet the requirements will be showcased online during Halloween week, giving everyone a chance to play, explore, and vote.

Halloween Showcase

From October 31 to November 3, all qualified submissions go live in a public online showcase. Visitors can:

• Play games inspired by retro and indie horror.

• Walk through chilling 3D art scenes.

• Vote for their favorites in the community awards.

This finale ensures creators don’t just compete—they share their vision with a global audience right in the spirit of Halloween.

Why You Should Join

Blocktoberfest 2025 is a rare chance to:

• Collaborate with a global creative community.

• Reimagine iconic titles from Atari and Block of Horror.

• Gain visibility in a Halloween showcase with thousands of players.

• Compete for a share of $50,000 in prizes.

Most importantly, it’s a chance to experiment, have fun, and scare people in the best way possible—through interactive worlds built straight from your imagination.