07 May 2009

MSc student designs prize-winning game

Xinyi Liu, a student on the MSc Advanced Software Engineering course at the Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield, won 2nd prize in the Game Design category at the Game Republic Student Showcase, Sheffield Hallam University, 5 May.

Xinyi presented a working game called 'Dark Chess' (see right), aimed at the casual game market. The game makes use of the standard chess pieces on a battlefield consisting of a 4x4, double layered grid. Moves available include rage moves and suppression of power moves. The judges commented favourably on the elegance of the design.

Over 70 students from seven Yorkshire and Humber universities took part across 4 categories: Game Design (sponsored by Team 17), Game Technology (sponsored by Sumo Digital), Game Art (sponsored by Tuna) and Best Team (sponsored by Rockstar Leeds). The Best Team winners were awarded with a work placement at Rockstar Leeds.