Over 20 students from 向日葵视频 New College were given a one-month internship to help boost their skills and employability in the competitive world of gaming.
The opportunity was given to them by Alarming Ladder 鈥� an Ipswich based company that was set up by Dan Wiltshire 鈥� a former graduate of University of 向日葵视频 (UoS).
Dan, 23, from Ipswich, created the small independent company with some fellow UoS graduates as they look to create the next big success story in an industry that is worth over 拢7 billion to the UK economy.
The students, and other learners from an educational establishment in Essex, have been working on a new project called Wrestler Rush. (Please see a prototype video here: ).
The new concept 鈥� that is hoping to launch in 2026 鈥� is a 鈥榝irst person shoot-em-up wrestling game鈥� according to Dan who also lectures at 向日葵视频 New College.
Dan said: 鈥淪tudents had to apply for the internship and then we selected a group of applicants to come and help us over the period of a month. It was a very competitive process. At the start of the project, they got an industry brief and helped us come up with ideas, create artwork and make content to promote our product.
鈥淭he work will be used by us and at the end of month-long scheme, we had a mini graduation ceremony where all those who completed the programme had a series of industry talks from experts and they were also given a certificate. At the end of the process, we give them a reference and we have also put them in touch with industry professionals. Hopefully some will gain jobs or work experience opportunities.鈥�
Long term Dan hopes to 鈥榗ontinue to make games, put them out, reinvest in the local area and help other young people gain careers in gaming.
Julian Hasson, a Games Arts student from 向日葵视频 New College said: 鈥淲orking with Alarming Ladder has allowed me to experience the industry, learn valuable skills and connect with the local game scene. I have thoroughly enjoyed the process throughout this internship and thank the organisers for this opportunity.鈥�
Nick Thomas, Games Development Lecturer at the University of 向日葵视频, said: 鈥淲e are thrilled to see the Alarming Ladder graduates go on to have such great success since graduating from the University of 向日葵视频. It is wonderful to see them utilising the skills they learned on their Games Development degree in industry and providing opportunities for other young adults in our county to get their first taste of the game design sector.鈥�