EVENT::MAZA OVERCLOCK
STATUS::EDITION_COMPLETE
WINNER::THE ENGINE ROOM SQUAD
24H ENGINEERING COMPETITION

MAZA OVERCLOCK

10 teams. 24 hours. One twist. One winner — The Engine Room Squad.

The first edition is in the books. The format stays. See you next year.

TEAMS
10
HOURS
24
PRIZE
$10,000
View Rules
[00]// DOCUMENTARY
// recap

First edition.
Done.

10 teams. 24 hours. One midway twist. One winner — The Engine Room Squad. Watch the documentary from Bldr Space in Weibdeh.

MAZA Overclock 2026▶ play
[01]// PHILOSOPHY

Most systems work in controlled environments.

Pressure changes everything. Overclock rewards teams that can adapt, maintain coherence, and build systems that hold when the ground moves.

// principles.txtRO
  • 01This is not a demo competition.
  • 02This is not a pitch event.
  • 03This is about systems.
EOF3 LINES
[02]// FORMAT
// spec

The rules are simple.
The system is not.

First edition ran on these rules. Every team starts on equal footing. The system does not stay static. Architectures that assumed stability collapse. Same format next year.

format.specv0.1
  • TEAMS
    10 selected teams
  • SIZE
    2–3 members per team
  • DURATION
    24 continuous hours
  • DATE
    TBD
  • TWIST
    Classified
  • PODIUM
    Gold / Silver / Bronze
  • PRIZE
    Gold team receives $10,000
  • RETURN
    Top 3 qualify for next year
[03]// JUDGING

Systems over demos.

In 2026, there is no excuse for ugly software. AI-assisted development has raised the standard. Whether you build a web app, API, CLI, or TUI, it should feel intentional, usable, and well-built.

01
Technical quality
Correctness, depth, engineering substance.
02
Product usability
Does it actually work for the person using it?
03
UX & interface design
Intentional. Considered. Not accidental.
04
Performance
Latency, throughput, responsiveness under load.
05
Scalability
Does the architecture hold when the inputs grow?
06
Reliability
Fails gracefully. Recovers without help.
07
Adaptability under pressure
Holds together when the conditions shift.
[04]// NEXT YEAR

We are not looking for ideas.
We are looking for teams.

Applications for the first edition are closed. When the next cycle opens, priority still goes to teams with technical depth, evidence of shipping, product taste, and experience building together.

Applications reopen next year
// we weight
  • +technical depth
  • +evidence of shipping
  • +product taste
  • +history of building together
capacity / 10 teams
[05]// FAQ

Questions.
Expected.

Anything else, email us. We respond fast.

01What happened at the first edition?
+
10 teams competed for 24 hours at Bldr Space — Weibdeh branch in Amman (3–4 July 2026). Midway through, conditions shifted. The winner was The Engine Room Squad. Watch the documentary on this page for the full story.
02What kind of project can we build?
+
Anything you can ship in 24 hours: web apps, APIs, CLIs, TUIs, agents, infrastructure tools. The artifact must be a working system, not a slide deck. Same bar next year.
03Can we use AI assistants?
+
Yes. The bar for craft is higher because of it. We will notice if it shows.
04Is it remote or in-person?
+
In-person only, in Amman, Jordan. Pressure is part of the test, and pressure does not transmit cleanly over a webcam. We need to see how teams behave in the same room when conditions shift.
05Where was it / when is next year?
+
The first edition ran 3–4 July 2026 at Bldr Space — Weibdeh branch. Dates and venue for the next edition will be announced when applications reopen.
06Are there sleeping arrangements?
+
No. Whoever sleeps the most will probably lose essential time.
07What does the Gold team actually win?
+
$10,000 cash, a Gold podium credit, and a guaranteed slot in next year's competition. Silver and Bronze also auto-qualify.
08How are teams selected?
+
We read every application. We weight depth, shipping history, taste, and how you have worked together before. We do not weight credentials.
NEXT CYCLE

Build. Break. Adapt.

First edition complete. Same pressure next year — applications will open again when we are ready.

Rules for next year