Awards celebrating design in video games prove a big hit

Games Design Awards will reward innovation and design thinking in the context of video game development

Gaming aficionados spent yesterday afternoon analysing entries in Dundee’s inaugural Games Design Awards 2017.

The awards, launched by DC Thomson, celebrate elements of design in games and reward innovation and design thinking within the context of game development.

Outplay Entertainment entered fantasy-themed mobile game Castle Creeps TD, while Ruffian Games are hoping multi-player shooter Fragmental will scoop an award.

The categories up for grabs include Best Character Design, Best Experimental Game, Best Game Design New Talent, Best Gameplay Design and Best Sound Design.

The judges took turns on each game followed by a discussion of their merits.

One of the judges, David Hamilton, executive vice-president of Ninja Kiwi, said he was impressed with the standard and believes the competition will only get bigger.

He said: “Dare Protoplay (Abertay’s design competition) started off small and became huge, so it could be similar.

“The standard on the whole has been really high, which although welcome, does it make it difficult to judge.

“We will need to take a little more time playing these games to decide on the winners.”

Another judge, Dayna Galloway, head of the division of games and arts at Abertay University, added: “Hosting this competition can only add to Dundee’s reputation in the industry.

“There aren’t many awards that recognise design so it’s a welcome addition.”

A shortlist will be announced soon, with the winners’ ceremony taking place at Dundee’s Dukes Corner on September 7.

The evening will include food, drink and entertainment.

The competition is the latest to arrive in Dundee after several other events, such as the Global Games Jam, were established in the city.

Meanwhile, gaming students at Abertay University were yesterday given the chance to hear from legal experts from one of Scotland’s leading law firms.

The students, taking part in the inaugural Dare Academy – a revamp of the highly-successful Dare Protoplay competiton – heard from partners at Lindsays solicitors, who shared knowledge about business structure, shareholders’ agreements and the allimportant protection of intellectual property.

The standard on the whole has been really high which, although welcome, doesmake it difficult to judge. DAVID HAMILTON NINJA KIWI

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Left: Judges discuss the pros and cons of the various games submitted to the competition, which included Castle Creep, above.