Unique ‘alt controller’ games to be showcased

Unique ‘alt controller’ games to be showcased

ABOVE: Robyn McMillan and Jamie Haddow turn a store mannequin into a games controller

A racing game controlled by office chairs, a real-life endless runner and a narrative experience involving a store mannequin are among the games to be showcased at a unique event at Abertay University.

The Alt Controller Jam Showcase – which takes place between 5pm and 7pm this Friday – highlights games which all have unusual custom built controllers.

They were created by students during a week-long challenge, in which they were tasked with coming up with both a game prototype and a unique control method.

ABOVE: James Winter Griffin puts the finishing touches on his unique game

Games playable at the event include RGB, a game in which players run, jump and crouch on coloured pads to control their character.

The faster they run in real life, the faster they move in game.

Student Dmitrii Gruzdev, part of the team behind RGB, said: “I’m looking forward to seeing people try our game. I want them to have fun with it!

“I hope to see people play it and have a laugh. Our goal was to make something fun and I think we’ve achieved that.”

 “I’m pleased that members of the public will get the chance to try these games, which are all very different." - Niall Moody, lecturer, Abertay University

Chair Raisers allows players to zoom around a virtual racetrack using real office chairs, while another game at the Showcase uses a converted store mannequin to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

It is based around research by PhD student Robyn McMillan, who said: “As players explore our game they will uncover both positive and negative memories.

“It is a difficult subject, but we’re hoping that it will encourage people to engage in important conversations.”

ABOVE: Dmitrii Gruzdev and Michael Shaw have created a real-life endless runner game

Abertay lecturer Niall Moody, who organised the event, said: “I’m pleased that members of the public will get the chance to try these games, which are all very different.

“They demonstrate the depth of talent and diversity of ideas among the students in our world-renowned School of Design and Informatics.”

The Alt Controller Jam Showcase is a free to attend, non-ticketed event and takes place in Abertay’s Kydd Building.

For more information about studying videogames at Abertay, visit: https://www.abertay.ac.uk/research-overview/research-strategy-and-structure/division-of-games-and-arts/