A lecturer from Cornwall College St. Austell has just launched his first Xbox One game. Steve Smith helped devise the Animation for Games course about 7 years ago after several years teaching Film & Media; all the time working on external game projects with his brother.
Gear Gauntlet, which became available for download at midnight, brings together beautiful artwork and a frustrating but addictive format, which demonstrates unique but difficult action arcade gameplay.
Steve said: “Players have reacted amazingly well to Gear Gauntlet thus far; it’s a game designed to be rather difficult but players keep coming back for more & wowing us.”
The game’s development took off around 3 years ago, when Steve met with a software developer called Jay Adeloye. They successfully applied to ID@Xbox and have since showcased their work at Rezzed 2015 and 2016, an indie game event in London.
Steve said: “Meeting Jay and working on Gear Gauntlet has been exceptionally hard but rewarding work; making games is a wonderfully creative process.”
On the website www.xboxoneuk.com reviewers say: “A well-crafted and replayable arcade game that will challenge absolutely every player. Level designs are sound and the visuals are a true delight – if you ever get a chance to check them out before dying. 8/10.”
This is not Steve’s first venture into game production; working with his brother prior to Gear Gauntlet he has created a number of games for mobiles & tablets. Including ‘Drawtopia’ which is available across all formats; receiving over half a million downloads.
Steve concluded: “It just shows that with serious work, a belief in what you’re creating and those around you, you can undertake any challenge.”
Gear Gauntlet, from Drop Dead Interactive is available now on Xbox One.
For more information on the range of media and games design courses available across The Cornwall College Group visit www.cornwall.ac.uk or call 0845 22 32 567.
Official Xbox One Rezzed 2015 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGNeDz7Dg8s