DCU Multimedia Students Exhibit Computer Game at Wired Magazine's NextFest
Tuesday 12 July 2005

DCU multimedia students who created "Blowaway

Visitors to the festival of the future in Chicago - Wired Magazine's NextFest - were impressed with the high standard of the gender neutral, non-violent multimedia game "Blowaway" developed by a group of DCU multimedia students.

Kevin Cannon, Nicola Kavanagh, John Lynch, Therese Veale and Ciaran Vipond graduated in November 2004. During their undergraduate time at DCU the group worked to develop a collaborative computer game in which up to 6 six players were required to work together via a physical interface to perform tasks. The high standard of the undergraduate project was noted by many of the professionals at the festival.

The end product, "Blowaway: The Winds of Therslow", positions players high above the fictional land of Therslow. Their objective is to steer a hot air balloon across the four islands of the land, collecting items and avoiding enemies on the way. Players use only the power of their breath, measured through custom built sensors, to control the direction and speed of the balloon. The game received a nomination for the Europrix Top Talent Award in Vienna, Austria in 2004. Shortly afterwards Wired magazines' researchers discovered the project and invited the group to exhibit Blowaway among the other cutting edge projects at NextFest.

Staged in the heart of Chicago's popular Navy Pier resort, the festival attracted 30,000 visitors over three days and featured more than 100 exhibits from developers working on future technologies in sectors as diverse as Health, Exploration and Entertainment. Blowaway featured prominently in the "Playground" arena at the festival and drew crowds of players, young and old, throughout the weekend.

During the festival the team also received a lot of positive feedback on their work, particularly from parents who immediately saw the benefits and originality of a non-violent video game that encourages teamwork. "Blowaway" was also exhibited at Exhibit8 in The Digital Hub in May and has already been invited to at least one other international exhbition this year so this is a space definitely worth watching!