Abertay University students to showcase DARE Academy games at Dundee Contemporary Arts in August

Students to debut projects during DCA's Drop In and Play event on Saturday 30 August

A talented group of student game developers from Abertay University will take centre stage at an upcoming public event at Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) next month.

Participants in the University’s flagship DARE Academy competition will debut their independently created games as part of DCA’s free, popular Drop In and Play event on Saturday 30 August.

For the first time, these emerging developers will have the chance to showcase their creations to a wide audience. Attendees will have the opportunity to try the games firsthand and engage directly with the developers during the event.

DARE Academy is Abertay’s flagship games design programme, bringing together six undergraduate teams to develop innovative game prototypes. Guided by university academics and seasoned industry mentors, the teams are honing their creativity and technical skills, building the foundation for future careers in game development.

Clare Brennan, a lecturer in the Department of Game and Arts at Abertay, said:

We are thrilled to partner with DCA to showcase our DARE teams’ games at Drop In and Play, a highlight of Dundee’s gaming calendar. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our students to present their work to the public, gain valuable experience, and celebrate Dundee’s vibrant game development scene. Join us at DCA on 30 August to support emerging talent, try out the games, and witness the future of gaming unfold. The event is free and open to all, so don’t miss this chance to experience the creativity and passion driving Dundee’s thriving games community.

Since its launch in November 2012 as part of the NEoN Digital Arts Festival and Discovery Film Festival, Drop In and Play has become a highlight for gaming enthusiasts in Dundee. This August’s edition is presented in partnership with Ninja Kiwi, the Dundee-based developers behind the globally popular Bloons series. Since 2005, Ninja Kiwi has been dedicated to creating engaging gaming experiences from their offices in Dundee and Auckland, New Zealand.

Shelley Barclay, DCA’s Development Manager, said:

We’re thrilled to partner with Abertay University and Ninja Kiwi for this exciting edition of Drop in and Play. Alongside the range of fun games in a variety of genres and the chance to meet local developers, we’re excited to welcome finalists from DARE Academy, who highlight the wealth of creative talent emerging from Abertay University. We’re so looking forward to giving these student developers the opportunity to showcase their brilliant work to audiences at DCA.