Dare to be Digital winners announced
Organisers of Dare to be Digital, which tasks students with creating game concepts, have announced details of this year's winners, which were showcased at the Edinburgh International Entertainment Festival recently.
Organisers of the Dare to be Digital competition, which sees students working from Dundee developing concepts for new and original computer games or educational entertainment products, have announced this year's winners.
The three main prizes, worth £2000, were won by Primary Steps for 'Product with Greatest Market Potential', Coda Chain for 'Product with Greatest Innovation and Creativity', and Corporate Warfare for 'Technical Excellence'.
Primary Steps, developed by a team called The Frozen North, uses dance mat steps, colourful 3D characters and literacy teaching method Synthetic Phonics to combine learning, exercise and fun.
Coda Chain is an action-arcade game where players control an ever-expanding chain of characters, with each connected individual altering the chain's collective capabilities as they flee a city environment.
Evil Machines, meanwhile, can be played from a PC or mobile phone and allows up to five players to run their own evil corporations - with tactical combat elements and a messaging system to arrange alliances and/or treachery.
Outside the top three, an additional £500 prize went to Pitipong Guntawong from Thailand for 'Best International Scholar', while Kai Chen of China was recognised as 'Best Programmer', Nancy Lai of Dundee 'Best Artist', and Andy Hynes from Glasgow as 'Best Team Leader' - an award that nets him a free Xbox courtesy of Microsoft.
The Dare to be Digital award, run every year, tasked eight teams ot students with the goal of creating a prototype game to pitch to investors. They received help from industry specialists and a project fee of £1700, and their work was showcased at the Edinburgh International Entertainment Festival's 'Go Play Games!'
Judge and master of ceremonies Richard Leinfeller - also EA's executive producer and vice president - said: "It has been great to work with Dare for the third year running. I am continually impressed with the quality of talent this innovative and unique experience manages to attract. It is by far the best pre-employment proving ground for the interactive entertainment sector."