Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is celebrating the success of BA (Hons) Games Art and Design Technician Demonstrator Öykü Erdenlig, whose work on the upcoming indie title Dance Dance Detective recently earned top honours at GDLX26, taking home the award for Most Innovative Gameplay.
As the lead artist, animator and UI designer, Öykü – a BA (Hons) Illustration graduate from AUB – brings the retro-fuelled world to life through distinct character designs, fluid animation and intuitive interface layouts.
Working alongside game designer, programmer, producer and Creative Director Bayan Mashat, as well as narrative designer and writer Ed Sibley, Öykü’s visual storytelling plays a central role in establishing the game’s vibrant 1980s aesthetic.
Set aboard a high-seas private cruise on August 9, 1986, Dance Dance Detective places players in the shoes of undercover Detective Gene Burning.
Tasked with solving the mysterious murder of Stephanie Delafontaine, the chief science officer of the Bolero Chocolate Company, the game blends traditional investigation with a unique rhythm mechanics system. Players must choreograph custom dance routines, teach suspects to move to the beat, and unearth crucial clues to crack the case.
The team showcased Dance Dance Detective at GDLX26, an event organised by Stuart D. of Game Dev Local, where players got to experience the demo firsthand, offer feedback and share plenty of laughs along the way.
Reflecting on the award, the team expressed immense gratitude for the community's support and the opportunity to exhibit alongside fellow indie developers.
Öykü shares, “It is a pleasure to work with people who have unique ideas and more experience in the games industry. It was incredible to watch people play the demo, laugh, and connect with them.
“Ed has done a great job making the narrative engaging and funny, with Bayan bringing her ballroom dancing expertise. We only spent three months making the demo, and we’re now behind the scenes working more on it.”
A playable demo of Dance Dance Detective is currently available to play via Steam and itch.io.
