The Sonic Hacking Contest is split into three distinct macro categories: ROM Hack, Modern 2D, and 3D. Each of these categories are given their own sets of qualified Judges and voting tallies in order to ensure that entries can compete more evenly and fairly. Think of it as our version of a weight class system.

A table of which games belong to each macro category is attached below for your reference:

Trophies are major awards intended to recognize excellence in broad categories, such as achievements in audiovisual or general game design elements. For each macro category, one of each trophy will be awarded to the winning category entry. Most trophies are voted on by the community, but there are two notable exceptions:

• The Judges' Pick Podium (Vector, Espio, and Charmy Trophies) is voted on exclusively by category Judges, with additional weighting applied based on the number of Judges that are eligible to evaluate each entry.
• The Studiopolis Trophy is voted on exclusively by Media Panelists.

Points are awarded through a ranked-choice voting system. In all cases, voters will rank their top-3 picks for each trophy, in each category. The top pick will be awarded 3 points, the second pick will be awarded 2 points, and the third pick will be awarded 1 point. Whichever entry has the greatest number of points for a given trophy at the end of the voting period will win the trophy, with the second and third place runner-ups receiving honorable mentions instead. In the event of a tie, the trophy will go to all entries that tie and no honorable mentions will be awarded.

Below is a list of all the trophies we will be awarding this year and their criteria:

Vector Trophy
1st Place (Judged)

Entry voted overall first place by the judges

Espio Trophy
2nd Place (Judged)

Entry voted overall second place by the judges

Charmy Trophy
3rd Place (Judged)

Entry voted overall third place by the judges

Sonic Trophy
1st Place

Entry voted overall first place by the community

Tails Trophy
2nd Place

Entry voted overall second place by the community

Knuckles Trophy
3rd Place

Entry voted overall third place by the community

Quartz Quadrant Trophy
Best Visual

Entry voted to have the best graphical design work

D.A. Garden Trophy
Best Audio

Entry voted to have the best sound design work

Chemical Plant Trophy
Best Level Design

Entry voted to have the best level design work

Storybook Trophy
Best Narrative Execution

Entry voted to have the best executed story/narrative

Blaze Trophy
Most Potential

Entry voted to have the most future potential

Silver Trophy
Most Improved

Entry voted to have improved the most since its entry in a previous year

Metal Sonic Trophy
Most Innovative

Entry voted to have the most interesting new ideas or use of pre-existing ones

Professor Pickle Trophy
Most Entertaining

Entry voted the most entertaining

Polygon Jim Trophy
Most "WTF?!"

Entry voted the most "what the absolute fuck is this?!"

Studiopolis Trophy
Best as Voted by Media Panel

Entry voted the best by the Media Panel

Medals are minor awards intended to highlight more niche or specific achievements in entries reviewed and evaluated by Judges. Unlike trophies, where only one is given out to the winners in each category, there is no set limit on the number of medals awarded to entries in each category; as long as ⅔ or more of eligible Judges approve of giving an entry a medal, said entry will be awarded the medal. Some medals are also intended to be absurd or humorous in nature, and may not return for next year’s contest, making them possibly exclusive to this year only.

Here is a list of all the medals we will be giving out this year and their criteria:

Hexadecimal Medal

Entry represents a technical achievement

Radiant Emerald Medal

Entry has excellent special stages or alternative gameplay design

Rivals Medal

Entry has an excellent multiplayer implementation

Emerl Medal

Entry has excellent and unique character implementation(s)

EggRobo Medal

Entry has excellent boss fights

Motobug Medal

Entry has excellent enemy design

Metallic Madness Medal

Entry has excellent and unique level gimmicks

Mania Medal

Entry features fresh takes on old concepts

Spinball Medal

An excellent entry based on a game not commonly modified

Casino Night Medal

Entry is highly replayable and addictive

Hidden Palace Medal

An unexpected entry of exceptional quality

Visual Mode Medal

Entry features excellent UI and presentation

Hang Castle Medal

Entry with excellent horror or Halloween themes (excluding Sonic.EXE)

Metropolis Medal

A challenging entry of exceptional quality

Big the Cat Medal

Entry pays respects to Big the Cat, who died defending his home planet from an invasion of malicious, sentient cucumbers

Next Gen Medal

Entry contains one or more insane or entertaining glitches

Mushroom Kingdom Medal

Entry contains pesky plumbers

Yuji Naka Medal

Entry feels... illegal, somehow...

In addition to honorable mentions being awarded to entries which come close to winning a trophy, Judges may nominate and vote for any entry to receive an honorable mention for achievements which fall outside of trophies and medals.