How to use this calculator
- Enter the complete prize pool.
- Reserve a share for participation, judges, or special awards.
- Set relative weights for the three placements.
- Publish the resulting amounts and rounding policy before competition.
#2869 · Sports & Gaming Tool
Game Development Prize Pool Split Calculator
Build a transparent weighted prize split for a game-development competition. Allocate a total pool across first, second, and third place using adjustable weights, then reserve a percentage for participation or special awards. The calculator shows each placement award, the reserve amount, and a quick fairness check.
Calculator
Planning inputsFormula
Available pool = total pool × (1 − reserved share)
Placement prize = available pool × placement weight ÷ sum of all placement weights
What the result means
The weights describe relative shares, so 50/30/20 gives the same split as 5/3/2. The reserve stays outside the three placement awards for the development team or game-jam event.
The calculator does not decide eligibility, taxes, team-member splits, or tie-breaking rules.
Example calculation
A $10,000 pool with 10% reserved leaves $9,000. Weights of 50, 30, and 20 award $4,500 to first, $2,700 to second, $1,800 to third, and reserve $1,000.
Tips for better results
- Publish weights before entries close.
- Explain how the reserve will be distributed.
- Set a tie policy in advance.
- Round only after calculating exact shares.
- Confirm tax and payment obligations separately.
Frequently asked questions
Do the prize weights need to add to 100?
No. They are relative weights and are normalized automatically.
Where does the reserved share go?
It remains outside the top-three allocation for participation, special awards, or another purpose you define.
Can one placement weight be zero?
Yes, but at least one total weight must be positive and a zero-weight placement receives no award.
How should tied placements be handled?
Define a tie rule before the event; a common approach is to combine affected prizes and divide them equally.
Does the split account for taxes or payment fees?
No. Enter a net distributable pool or deduct those costs separately before calculating.
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Prize Pool Split inputs and outputs
| Weight set | Share of available pool |
|---|---|
| 50 / 30 / 20 | 50% / 30% / 20% |
| 5 / 3 / 2 | 50% / 30% / 20% |
| 3 / 2 / 1 | 50% / 33.33% / 16.67% |