The metaverse platform Decentraland has launched a beta version of its content creator fund, a new rewards program for independent developers and small teams creating games on the platform. A prize pool of $30,000 will be distributed among creators based on how players interact with their games.
Content creators can register through the Decentraland Creator Hub starting November 11. The first reward cycle opens on November 15, and the beta will run until December 31, 2026.
The pool is funded jointly by the Decentraland Foundation and the DCL Regenesis Labs laboratory. Decentraland describes this program as a reward for existing games, not a grant for projects in development.
The seasonal prize pool of $30,000 is split into three cycles, each worth $10,000. Cycle 1 runs from November 15 to 30, cycle 2 from December 1 to 15, and cycle 3 from December 16 to 31.
At the end of each cycle, each creator’s share is calculated based on three metrics: the number of new players who joined Decentraland through the game, the time players actively spend in it, and the number of players who return to it.
Reward payouts will be made in USDC within two weeks after the end of each cycle. A public leaderboard will display the top games and the rewards earned for them, and authors will be able to view their detailed results in the Creator Hub.
Since the total prize pool is fixed, each developer’s earnings depend on how other games in the same cycle perform. The stated amounts apply to the fund as a whole and are not guaranteed income for any individual game.
Who can join?
Creators must be over 18 years old and own a LAND parcel, a NAME, or a Decentraland World where their game is hosted. The game must be located in Genesis City or in a publicly accessible World. Worlds that require a password, invitation, or an NFT to enter are not allowed.
To participate, creators need to download the Creator Hub, open the “Earnings” tab, and sign the Program Terms using the wallet that holds their LAND, NAME, or WORLD. One participation confirmation covers all eligible locations owned by that wallet. Creators also need to specify a payout wallet in the Creator Hub. Anyone who does not specify one within 7 days after the end of a cycle will forfeit the reward for that cycle.
Only real players over 18 years old using Decentraland’s official desktop and mobile applications are counted toward rewards. Each game is checked for bots and fake activity, and visits from the game’s creator or their co-authors are excluded.
