Google Cloud Arcade: Features & Overview

The Google Arcade Facilitator 2024 program was an exciting opportunity for learners and tech enthusiasts to enhance their skills, play games, and earn swag. This interactive program combined arcade games, trivia challenges, and skill badges to create a competitive yet fun learning experience.

How I Got to Know About This Program 🤔

I first heard about the Google Arcade Facilitator 2024 program through a LinkedIn post from Vikram Gaur. The idea of learning through games and earning cool swags instantly caught my attention. Google has consistently introduced innovative learning approaches; this program was another great initiative.

Upon researching, I found out that Google Arcade is a gamified platform that combines learning with interactive challenges, making the process enjoyable and rewarding. With four milestones to achieve, a structured point system, and a clear reward structure, I knew I had to give it a shot. In the post, I also got the registration form below. I have attached a screenshot of that form

When It Started and Ended 🏃🏻‍♂️

The Google Arcade Facilitator 2024 program was open for a limited period:

Start Date: July 22, 2024
End Date: September 27, 2024

During this time, participants had to complete multiple milestones, earn points, and climb the leaderboard by playing games, solving trivia, and completing skill badges.

Point System 📍

To make the competition fair and engaging, Google introduced a structured point system. Here’s how points were allocated:

1 Game Badge = 1 Point
1 Trivia Badge = 1 Point
3 Skill Badges = 1 Point

Participants had to accumulate points by completing various challenges within the arcade platform. The more badges you collected, the closer you were to unlocking the next milestone.

Levels of Milestones ⛰️

The program was structured around four progressive milestones. Each milestone required participants to complete a set of challenges:

Milestone 1: Standard

Complete the following:
1. 2 Arcade Games
2. 2 Trivia Games
3. 2 Skill Badges

Milestone 2: Advanced

Complete the following:
1. 3 Arcade Games
2. 4 Trivia Games
3. 3 Skill Badges

Milestone 3: Premium

Complete the following:
1. 4 Arcade Games
2. 5 Trivia Games
3. 4 Skill Badges

Milestone 4: Premium Plus

Complete the following:
1. 5 Arcade Games
2. 6 Trivia Games
3. 5 Skill Badges

Each milestone unlocked a swag reward, making the program even more exciting.

Arcade Games 🎮

The heart of this program was the arcade games section. These were interactive challenges where participants had to complete various tasks related to Google Cloud and its services.

The arcade challenges tested skills in:

Cloud computing
Google Cloud tools
Real-world problem-solving

The aim was to encourage hands-on learning while maintaining an element of fun and competition.

How to Play Arcade Games

Playing the arcade games was simple and engaging. Here’s how I did it:

Go to the Google Arcade Website.
Select a game from the available options.
Follow the instructions and complete the required tasks.
Earn a badge upon successful completion.

The games were designed to simulate real-world scenarios, helping participants grasp cloud concepts more effectively.

How to Complete a Skill Badge Course

Apart from the arcade games, another key component was Skill Badges. These were mini-courses focusing on specific Google Cloud technologies and tools. Completing these skill badges was essential to progressing through the milestones.

Steps to Complete a Skill Badge:

Select a Skill Badge course from the Google Cloud Skills Boost Website.
Go to the Explore tab to find skill-based courses.
Follow the guided labs and tutorials to complete tasks.
Pass the required assessments to earn the badge.

The skill badges helped me gain hands-on experience with cloud technologies, making the learning process even more valuable.

Syllabus for Skill Badge Course:

Beginner Level: Get Started with Google Cloud

This level is designed for those new to cloud computing. The courses cover fundamental Google Cloud services and APIs.

The Basics of Google Cloud Compute
Get Started with Pub/Sub
Get Started with API Gateway
Get Started with Dataplex Get Started with Looker
Get Started with Cloud Storage
Use APIs to Work with Cloud Storage
Create a Streaming Data Lake on Cloud Storage
App Engine: 3 Ways
Cloud Run Functions: 3 Ways
Cloud Speech API: 3 Ways
Using the Google Cloud Speech API
Analyze Speech and Language with Google APIs
Store, Process, and Manage Data on Google Cloud Console
Store, Process, and Manage Data on Google Cloud - Command Line

Intermediate Level: Dive Deeper into Google Cloud

This level builds upon foundational knowledge and introduces advanced cloud functionalities.

Build Real-World AI Applications with Gemini and Imagen
Get Started with Google Workspace Tools
App Building with AppSheet
Develop with Apps Script and AppSheet
Analyze BigQuery Data in Connected Sheets
Use Functions, Formulas, and Charts in Google Sheets
Streaming Analytics into BigQuery
Create a Secure Data Lake on Cloud Storage
Secure BigLake Data
Tag and Discover BigLake Data
Monitor and Manage Google Cloud Resources
Monitoring in Google Cloud
Monitor and Log with Google Cloud Observability
Networking Fundamentals on Google Cloud
Set Up a Google Cloud Network

Advanced Level: Take Your Google Cloud Skills to the Next Level

This level is for those looking to master cloud technologies with advanced applications.

Implement Load Balancing on Compute Engine
Set Up an App Dev Environment on Google Cloud
Develop Your Google Cloud Network
Build a Secure Google Cloud Network
Build Infrastructure with Terraform on Google Cloud
Deploy Kubernetes Applications on Google Cloud
Manage Kubernetes in Google Cloud
Optimize Costs for Google Kubernetes Engine
Derive Insights from BigQuery Data
Build LookML Objects in Looker
Manage Data Models in Looker
Prepare Data for Looker Dashboards and Reports
Develop Serverless Apps with Firebase
Prompt Design in Vertex AI
Develop GenAI Apps with Gemini and Streamlit

Swags for Each Milestone 🎁

One of the major attractions of this program was the swag rewards. Google is known for rewarding its participants with high-quality merchandise, and the Arcade Facilitator 2024 program was no exception.

Swags for Each Milestone:

🎁 Milestone 1: Standard Swag

Exclusive Arcade T-shirt
Google Cloud Stickers

🎁 Milestone 2: Advanced Swag

Premium Dex Kit (Notebook, Pen, and Stickers)
Google Cloud Study Lamp

🎁 Milestone 3: Premium Swag

Google Cloud Hoodie
Mug & Coaster Set

🎁 Milestone 4: Premium Plus Swag

Google Cloud Backpack
Premium Bottle and T-shirt

These rewards made the program even more exciting, as participants had tangible motivation to complete each milestone.

Swags I got from Google Arcade Faciliator Program

My Experience and Key Takeaways

Participating in Google Arcade Facilitator 2024 was a fantastic experience. Here’s what I loved about it:

Gamified Learning: The blend of arcade games, trivia, and skill badges made learning fun.
Skill Enhancement: The program provided hands-on experience with Google Cloud technologies.
Exciting Swags: The swags were high-quality and a great motivation to keep progressing.
Competitive Spirit: Competing with other participants kept the excitement level high.

Final Thoughts

The Google Arcade Facilitator 2024 program was a perfect mix of learning, gaming, and rewards. If you’re interested in cloud computing and want to upskill in a fun way, keep an eye out for future editions of this program.

For those who missed it this year, I highly recommend preparing for the next edition. Google Arcade is a fantastic way to gain hands-on experience while having fun!

Did you participate in Google Arcade Facilitator 2024? Share your experience in the comments below! 🚀

Google Cloud Arcade Facilitator Program Overview: Key Features

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