Students create three computer games in three days
Students from Southampton Solent University’s computer game development courses are catching up on their sleep after creating three playable games from scratch in just 72 hours, as part of an international challenge.
Around 20 students from BSc (Hons) Computer Games (Software Development), BSc (Hons) Computer Games (Indie) and BA (Hons) Computer and Video Games took part in the 28th International Ludum Dare, last weekend.
There was lots stress, little sleep and bags of creativity as Solent’s gamers pushed themselves to the limits alongside other students, hobbyists and professional game developers from around the world.
BSc(Hons) Computer Games (Software Development) student, Gergo Foldhazi says, “We had to use everything we’ve learnt on the course so far, with no room for error because of the short time limit. As a games development student I am looking for opportunities to prove myself. Ludum Dare is one of these, and getting a chance to do this in a uni environment with staff and other students around is just brilliant."
Working in teams, the computer savvy students collectively created three new games from scratch: Cowbow Conundrum, a split-screen, multiplayer duelling game set in the wild west; Fortress Defender, where the player has to defend the tower to keep his life; and The Gourd of Water, a desert survival adventure involving a search for fresh water.
“It was great to see how well the students performed on a very quick and high stress development cycle. It’s a tough mental challenge even before you take into account the sleep deprivation,” says Peter Akrill, senior lecturer in games programming.
The university set up a live stream so that people could keep track of the students’ progress throughout the challenge. The site had over three thousand unique visitors over the three days from countries including, the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Germany.
Peter Akrill added, “Our live chat channel was full of people giving advice, encouragement and asking about the specific industry-focussed courses we run at Solent. There was a great buzz about the whole experience.”
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9040 or press.office@solent.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
Ludum Dare was founded by Geoff Howland in 2002. It gives game enthusiasts 72 hours in which to design and create a playable game. The community has run more than 22 regular events creating many thousands of games in a single weekend.
Southampton Solent University offers more than 23,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, health, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology. The university was awarded the 2013 Quality Assurance kitemark for quality and standards of teaching and learning. Solent was voted one of the most creative universities in the UK in a Which? University 2013 poll of students.
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