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Liverpool students look to the past to
create game of the future
WITH an incredible range of consoles,
enabling virtual reality gaming with interactive experiences and multiple; even
global; player options, arguably we're living in the golden age of gaming right
now. Yet, for four Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) students the
simpliCity of popular 1980's platform games will always reign supreme.
Some 30 years before the BSc Computer Games Technology students were born, a
game that launched the career of a certain plumber inspired the winning game of
LJMU's annual GameJam competition, now in its 3rd year.
The winning game, Tiny Tuggers, was inspired by the smash hit computer game,
Super Mario Kart, which was first launched in 1985. Sharing a platform gaming
style, with 'power-up' features, Tiny Tugger racers are required to collect
items to the detriment of the opposition(s) through its three levels to complete
the game and win.
Neatly answering the GameJam 2017's brief, to create a marathon game themed by
'steam technology,' a nod to the Course Leader, Dr. Stephen Tang's work on
'The
Danny' a restoration project to revive the Daniel Adamson steam boat.
On winning, LJMU student, William Langley, 23, from Garston Liverpool, said:-
"A lot went into the game planning, the power features and multiple levels,
including the bath, kitchen sink and garden pond level visuals. Our strategy was
to keep the game routes simple, then impress by increasing the number of players; with more players around the screen, the game becomes more fun and competitive
to gamers.
We're thrilled to have won GameJam 2017, and will be back next year to make sure
we retain our winners title."
On judging the competition entries, BSc Computer Games Technology Course Leader,
Dr. Stephen Tang, said:- "It's great to see the week-long competition
result in such high quality completed games, that are a joy to play. The buzz at
the university surrounding GameJam is infectious. The students' competitive
sides come out, as all teams gear up to win the title of GameJam 2017.
I am very proud of the standard of work entered in to this year's competition,
each year my role of judging the talent here at LJMU gets harder and harder."
GameJam is open to LJMU students and any external budding gamers wishing to take
part and compete. The competition runs annually, in June 2017, to close the academic
year. Winners receive ₤200 worth of Amazon vouchers to aid study and hobbies in
gaming.
To find out more about Liverpool John Moores University visit their
website. |
