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The Tech Valley Center of Gravity (TVCOG) will host a hackathon and game jam in New York on 16-17 April 2016 aiming to target the augmented and virtual reality spaces.

Hackers and programmers participating in the event will get access to software development kits from 1st Playable Productions and immersive rifle controllers provided by Ilium VR. They will also get computers with graphics cards from TVCOG and a cave automatic virtual environment (CAVE) by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Games and Simulations Arts and Sciences. The event will run for 32 hours around the clock.

During the event, participants will compete in various categories and produce AR/VR applications or games for demonstration. TVCOG offers US$1,000 in prizes and giveaways, including free TVCOG memberships. Registration is free but mandatory, and food and beverages will be on offer.

Tech Valley Game Space will host the Ludum Dare game jam and also help with the gaming portion of the hackathon. Mobile virtual reality software firm Daydream.io will provide free branded cardboard viewers and mentoring to the participants at the hackathon.

Tom Tongue, executive director of Tech Valley Center of Gravity, said: "This is a great chance for hackers to get their hands on some VR hardware that they might not otherwise have access to, and to work directly with our mentors from companies that include 1st Playable and Daydream.io."

"Some hackers will come with ideas and teams, while others will meet new people here to partner up with and brainstorm. It's a rich environment for collaboration."

The hackathon is the second of four such events scheduled for 2016 at TVCOG. The quarterly hackathon series aims to support the development of new technology startups by introducing new ideas to possible founders and new talent.