S8080 Blog

I was lucky enough to judge the Swansea Metropolitan University’s recent Casual Games Awards 2009. The students presented their projects, based on projects set as part of their syllabus.

Tom Orchard won the BSc award showing a strong, commercial idea for a Snickers game featuring Mr T from the A-Team.

Richard Morgan won the BA award with a racing game that was not far off commercial standard and a first class side shooter too.

There is some very strong work coming out of the University at the moment and we are working closely with them in their second semester – giving the modules a more commercial flavour. We’ll be giving the students a project or two based on real-life commissions with real-life deadlines.

Well done Tom, Richard and all of the shortlisted students.

This weekend we launched Welsh Space Invaders for one of our clients. I won’t tell you who, you’ll have to give it a go to find out – it has a sting in its tail!

Our illustration team worked very closely with our Flash guys to make this classic arcade clone look fantastic. If you are Welsh or love Wales – this will make you grin, I guarantee it.

Dig in behind a pit head, Conwy Castle and the Millennium Centre and let the battle commence.

We have worked with Welsh schoolchildren to create a game, allowing pupils to create their ‘perfect school councillor’.

The game was designed an built by our illustration and Flash teams, based on sketches and ideas from pupils at Ysgol Niwbwrch, Anglesey, after the Schools Councils Wales ran a competition to win prizes of up to £1000 for their school.

The youngsters’ ideas were amazing – and the presentation of their game was first class. We have heard that they are very happy with the end results. Tough customers indeed!