Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) showcased an impressive array of student projects during its annual Fall Festival on December 5, 2023. Hosted at the university’s Entertainment Technology Center, the festival transformed the venue into a multi-level arcade, allowing visitors to experience gaming prototypes developed over the past semester. This event highlighted the innovative spirit of CMU, where students have been exploring interactive entertainment technology for 25 years.
Among the standout projects was Overboard, a chaotic multiplayer game where teams compete to sink each other’s pirate ships. Frank Lin, an artist and producer for the game, explained that the design focused on fun and social interaction. “They don’t have to care about strategy or think too much. What they can do is just kind of like, destroy the friendship in a good way and just have fun,” Lin stated. This emphasis on enjoyment illustrates a trend in game design aimed at fostering camaraderie among players.
Another notable entry was The Escape March, inspired by the acclaimed 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption. In this single-player experience, participants use a controller shaped like a hammer to navigate a jail escape. Players must carefully time their movements, striking only during thunderclaps to avoid detection by guards. Ivy Hu, an artist on the project, aimed to create an immersive and intense atmosphere, noting that the physical elements, such as the custom hammer controller stored in a fake Bible, enhance the overall experience.
The festival also featured projects from first-year graduate students, who developed their games in a mere two weeks. One of these projects, The Cavern, is designed to promote teamwork among players. Demonstrated by Jose Mireles, this car racing game requires participants to control cheering crowds rather than the race cars themselves. With up to 25 players involved, the game creates a dynamic environment where communication is key. Mireles emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “We are using this playground to spark conversation about communication and cooperation.” Notably, even if a car crashes, the game continues, reinforcing the idea that the primary goal is to have fun.
Overall, the Fall Festival at CMU served as a vibrant platform for students to showcase their creativity and technical skills. Each project reflects a unique approach to interactive entertainment, combining elements of strategy, teamwork, and social engagement. As these emerging game designers continue to push the boundaries of the medium, their innovations may very well shape the future of video gaming.
