Can we use Multipeer Connectivity framework and opensource packages for Swift Student Challenge?

Lemme break your question down into parts…

Regarding open source code, the fine print addresses that topic directly. Read it through and post back here it find it unclear.

Regarding Multipeer Connectivity, it’s still a valid Apple API and thus you’re free to use it. My general recommendation is that you not use this API, but instead use Network framework directly. I can go into the details if you like, but I’m not doing that right now because of the next point…

The fine print says:

Your creation should not rely on a network connection

and thus I’m not sure what Multipeer Connectivity, or indeed Network framework, is gonna buy you.

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Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

It’s better if you reply as a reply, rather than in the comments. See Quinn’s Top Ten DevForums Tips for this and other tips.

let’s say if I explain my intention behind using the framework well in my submission video/essay would it still be considered?

I’m not involved in SSC judging so I can’t give you definitive answers. However, I encourage you to reread SSC > Eligibility and think about how your judge will look at your submission. Here’s a choice quote:

Create an interactive scene in an app playground that can be experienced within three minutes.

How do you want your judge to spend those three minutes?

Also, regardless of the above, I was serious about staying away from Multipeer Connectivity. If you want to continue that discussion, I recommend that you start a new thread over in App & System Services > Networking topic area.

Share and Enjoy
—
Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

let’s say if I explain my intention behind using the framework well in my submission video/essay would it still be considered?

Quinn’s answer above explains it really well, I personally think it’s a good idea to think about how you want your judges to experience your app in those 3 minutes.

I’d just like to add One More Thing™️: if you still have questions about the judging process, maybe it’s also a good idea to ask them in one of the Swift Student Challenge online sessions hosted by Apple. At least, that’s what I would do. In fact, I think I’ll actually do that.

Thanks to both, Quinn's response made me realize that what I am working on may cause confusion on first App launch, so I think I'll be adding tutorials and tips, samples and hints to make it obvious what the app is about. This was a very insightful suggestion as my app is more like a product than a scene so I was a bit doubtful on how to properly demonstrate the idea, but now I am looking at it from a different perspective, cause now I'll have to put more focus on the user journey rather than just build an app with undiscoverable features.

Also yes I have registered for the online session, looking forward to it! Nevertheless thanks for the suggestion!