Level Up Twice: Pro-Tip to Score Big in the Google Skills Arcade and Validate Your Skills

Google Cloud Community News & Announcements
1

Did you know that the labs you tackle in the Google Skills Arcade are more than just a way to score points? They are actually the building blocks for official Google Cloud Skill Badges.

By completing an Arcade challenge, you are already halfway to your next Google Cloud Skill badge. Finishing the remaining labs not only validates your expertise to the world but also adds a significant boost to your Arcade point total.

Level Up Twice

Here are this month’s games and the milestones you can reach:

Arcade Adventure: Modern App Deployment
This adventure is all about the evolution of application hosting. You’ll dive into the world of containers and serverless computing, exploring how to shift from traditional monolithic structures to agile microservices. You will get hands-on experience with App Engine, Cloud Run, GKE, and Compute Engine.

Skill Badges within reach:

Arcade Voyage: Data Governance and Firebase Foundations
Set sail into the dual worlds of secure data management and rapid app development. You’ll use Dataplex to organize and assess data quality across a “Data Mesh,” while simultaneously building real-time, serverless applications using Firebase.

Skill Badges within reach:

Complete these final labs to claim your badges:

Arcade Trail: Cloud Security and DevOps Foundations
The modern cloud demands a “Security-First” mindset. This trail bridges the gap between protection and production. You’ll work with Cloud KMS, Identity-Aware Proxy, and Cloud Build to create secure, automated CI/CD pipelines that protect your resources without slowing down your deployment.

Skill Badges within reach:

Complete these final labs to claim your badges:

Level Up Your Professional Profile

The Google Skills Arcade is designed to be an engaging environment where you can learn by doing. But the real reward comes when you turn that gameplay into professional growth.

Every skill badge you earn is a digital credential you can share on your resume. It’s a powerful way to show your network and potential employers that you are consistently mastering the latest cloud technologies. Also, pairing this month’s featured skill badges with your Arcade games allows you to secure 3 additional points toward your total!

Keep the momentum going! Complete your games, finish the remaining labs, and watch your badge collection—and your point total—grow!

See you in the Cloud!

Note: To ensure your achievements contribute towards your Arcade Points, please remember to enroll in the Skill Badges given above for them to appear on your public profile.

11 Likes
2

Hey, I had a small doubt regarding the Google Cloud Arcade Facilitator Program.

If I complete the current monthly Arcade games before the facilitator cohort officially starts, will those arcade badges still count toward the milestone bonus points once the program begins?

Also, does the same apply to skill badge labs and lab-free courses completed before the cohort starts?

Just wanted to confirm so I don’t miss out on the bonus criteria.

3

No, bro it doesn’t work like that

All are counted after the program starts not before that.

4

when does this thing starts??

5

Application window may open in August 1st week.

6

Hi @Yugali could you clarify two things for us?

First, with only one prize counter scheduled for the end of the year, will the arcade program run as a single continuous session rather than two separate programs (Jan–June and July–Dec)?

Second, points from skill badges usually count toward the facilitator program, but only if they are earned after the program starts. Since you are encouraging us to earn skill badges now, will there even be a facilitator program this year? If not, we can go ahead with the badges now. Otherwise, we might miss out on bonus points that would have counted toward the facilitator program later.

Thank you.

1 Like
7

that’s for the cohort 2, for the cohort 1 student program is not live yet

8

As of my knowledge, There’s no two cohorts from now :relieved_face:

9

Currently they taking the intrest forms for the Facilitator program, and for the student program it is not live yet

forms = Google Cloud Arcade Facilitator Program 2026 Interest Form

10

No they only count towards Arcade Milestones, they not count towards Arcade Facilitator Milestones you ahev to do them seperately in those months

11

Just awesome :+1:

12

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know when the Google Cloud Arcade Facilitator Program 2026 registrations will officially begin?

2 Likes
13

Please reveal the Arcade Prize Tier & Facilitator Program Updates. Everyone is patiently waiting

1 Like
14

I think atleast The Arcade Points Target to reach the specific tier must have been revealed so far. Folks are not asking for swag dropping. They are asking for Targets dropping :bullseye::palm_down_hand:
Miss @Yugali

1 Like
15

Request for Clarification Regarding Google Cloud Arcade Skill Badges

Dear Google Cloud Arcade Team @Yugali

I hope you are doing well.

I am writing on behalf of several participants in the current Google Cloud Arcade season. Many participants are finding the program structure somewhat confusing, especially regarding the Skill Badge journey and the roadmap for progression throughout the season.

So far, we have successfully completed the following tracks:

  • Arcade Adventure

  • Arcade Voyage

  • Arcade Trail

However, we would appreciate clarification regarding the Skill Badges mentioned in the program instructions.

The announcement states:

“Complete your Skill Badge Journey. Progressing through challenges in the Google Skills Arcade also puts you halfway toward earning Google Cloud Skill Badges. This progress boosts your total Arcade Points, rewarding your growth.”

It also lists the following Skill Badges:

  • App Engine: 3 Ways

  • Build a Website on Google Cloud

  • Build a Data Mesh with Dataplex

  • Develop Serverless Apps with Firebase

  • Implement Cloud Security Fundamentals on Google Cloud

  • Implement DevOps Workflows in Google Cloud

  • The Basics of Google Cloud Compute

  • Deploy Kubernetes Applications on Google Cloud

  • Develop Your Google Cloud Network

  • Set Up a Google Cloud Network

  • Use Machine Learning APIs on Google Cloud

We would like clarification on the following points:

  1. Are participants expected to complete these Skill Badges immediately during the current phase of the Arcade season?

  2. Or should we wait until the program facilitators officially begin or announce the “Skill Badge Journey” phase?

  3. Will completing these Skill Badges now count fully toward Arcade Points and season progress?

  4. Is there any official roadmap, timeline, or guideline document available for this season?

Many participants would greatly benefit from clearer guidance regarding the expected progression path and timelines.

We would sincerely appreciate your clarification and support.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Best regards,

1 Like
16

Hi everyone,

I’ve been participating in the Google Cloud Arcade games (Voyage, Base Camp, Adventure, Trail) since February 2026. I have successfully completed all the standard labs and earned my monthly Arcade badges!

However, I recently realized that I completely missed the “What’s Next?” section at the end of the games for February, March, and April. Because of this, I forgot to claim the associated Skill Badges (usually 1 to 3 extra courses linked at the end of each game).

Since those monthly games are now closed, I can no longer access the pages to see what those specific Skill Badges were named.

Could someone please do me a huge favor and check your “View Credentials” / Skill Badges section? > If anyone remembers or can see the exact names of the Skill Badge courses that were featured in the Feb, March, and April 2026 Arcade games, I would be incredibly grateful if you could share them below!

Once I have the exact course names, I can just search for them in the Cloud Skills Boost catalog and claim the badges myself.

Thank you so much for the help!

17

Hi ,

I have started the month of may 2026 arcade program. Currently i have reached 7 points. I have completed may month of skill challenges. I want more points/labs to reach alreast 25 points. Please help me to get it.

Many Thanks!!

18

What is meant by additional 3 points?

If we completed the specified skill badges do we get additional 3 points added to the arcade points