Browser ‘track & field’ wins Glasgow 2014 contest

A 21 year-old student at Abertay University is now £2,014 richer after winning a game development competition run by the Scottish Government.

The contest called for developers and students to propose a game that would help promote the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and set aside around £40,000 for Scotland-based 4JStudios to turn the concept into reality.

William Rountree, who studies at Abertay University, won over judges with his homage to the classic sports game Track & Field.

The resulting free browser game, available here, tasks the player to compete in a custom decathlon of 10 varied sports such as the 100 meter sprint, swimming and shooting.

Rountree had a hand in co-developing the game at 4JStudios.

"It’s great to see the Scottish Government embracing its video game industry and game development students with this unique competition to help promote the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“I have had an amazing experience working with the team at 4JStudios and seeing my design develop, change and become a reality.

“It has given me great insight into the development process in a real studio environment, experience which will be very useful when looking for a job upon completing my course."

Commonwealth Games minister Shona Robison said the competition “has been a unique opportunity to combine the creativity and flair of students in Scotland with the skill of our world-renowned games development sector”.