Hackathon success for Games Students

Games students are celebrating after scooping a number of prizes in a national Hackathon.

The students who are studying on a range of courses from Level 1 to HNC Games successfully competed in the Digital Catapult X Niantic Hackathon where they were challenged to create a Web AR function based around the theme of ‘Exploring Outside, Together’.

Competing against teams from other college and universities, the students spent two days developing their concepts and learning new skills on the 8th wall web platform. Thanks to all their hard work, the students were able to submit 5 entries ahead of the deadline.

Patrick Buck, Tymon Bulawa-Sobolewski and Ryan Smeaton who are studying on our HNC Games course were delighted to achieved one of first place prizes of £700. In addition, two of the other college teams achieved 2nd (£450) and 3rd (£250) place.

Mark Johnson, Curriculum Leader for Games at the college said: “I’m really proud of all our students who took part in the Hackathon, they really embraced the challenge, worked together as a team and put a lot of hard work into their submissions.

“It was fantastic to see them taking the skills and knowledge that they’ve learnt in the classroom and putting this into a real-life project. Plus, they also had to learn new skills and use new technology including the 8th wall web platform, something they all got to grips with.”

Colin Kelly from MaadDigital who acted as an industry ambassador to the Gateshead College teams said “Working with the students from Gateshead College was an absolute pleasure, they were professional, enthusiastic and showed a high level of skills and knowledge. For them to win not just one but three prizes is testament to all their hard work. Well done everyone.”

To find out more about our Games courses, click here.