The final BA (Hons) Games Art and Design exhibition of the academic year, Storytelling Through Games, transformed the CRAB Drawing Studio on campus at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) into a vibrant arcade showcasing the brilliant, interactive worlds crafted by the next generation of game developers.
Taking place on Wednesday 10 June, students, staff and visitors were invited to immerse themselves in playable prototypes designed entirely by first-year BA (Hons) Games Art and Design students.
“The exhibition showcases how AUB’s first-year students are already pushing the boundaries of interactive media," comments Course Leader Dr Alina Potemska. "The brief included strong storytelling with meaningful decision-making, guided by visiting tutor Juan Echenique. Game design implementation was led by Jordan Cutler. It's great to see colleagues from different universities and game industry representatives travelling across the country to see our students' work. It's really inspiring!
“By blending traditional art principles with complex narrative design, and knowledge of game engine, this new generation of young game creators offers hope for a more enriched game scene, with aesthetically thoughtful games that provide playful experiences beyond entertainment.”
Jordan Cutler, a Lecturer on the Games Art and Design course, adds, “It has been a fantastic unit, and the students have produced some truly amazing work which is incredibly clear when you look around the room today.
“This project is quite a challenge for the first-years, as many of them have never actually made a game before or used industry tools like Unreal Engine. The variety of genres, art styles, and narrative mechanics highlights the incredible breadth of creativity in this year's cohort. To achieve this level of quality at this stage of their experience is pretty impressive and marks a wonderful end to their first year.”
- I Saw You With The Devil Last Night by Rowan Kemp: Set in Salem, Massachusetts, 1692, players step into the shoes of 19-year-old Mercy Smith. As mass hysteria grips the town, your choices will directly determine who lives and who dies.
- The Third Invasion by Jhostin Pineda Serrano: A dystopian look at a failed-state Dominican Republic ruined by ultra-consumerism. Protagonist Esperanza must navigate the collapse of the city to recover vital evidence against the Sentre corporation.
- Fog by Hairan Yuan: A beautifully illustrated, atmospheric tale about a girl journeying across a mysterious forest to break an ancient curse.
- The Feeling of Moving Through a Place by Elliot Weston: An experiential, evocative project that prompts players to explore, observe, and decide whether to keep moving forward.
- Sticky Interstellar Light Picking Up by Yuxin Zhou: A charming pixel-art adventure following a small black slime born in a starship lab. After crashing into a desert world, you must explore with your maintenance robot companion, Xiaoqi, to reclaim your memories.
- Spiral by Elijah Mapoma: A deeply psychological game where players dive into the mind of an overworked office worker, exploring old memories to escape an endless mental spiral.
- A Sinister Shift by Ethan Falconer: A tense hospitality horror where you play as Neil, a newly appointed hotel janitor trying to clean up during the night shift while uncovering a dark conspiracy behind disappearing guests.
- Note by Emily Boon: A melodic journey where players take on the role of a musical note, collecting lost melodies to teach the mystical Sirin how to sing again.
- Worn by Daria Prokhorova: A unique narrative concept that asks players to reflect on the secret history and journey of a second-hand item before it reaches new hands.
- Running Lights by Madison Roberts: A frantic backstage thriller. Playing as the sole stagehand on a theatre opening night, you discover the stage manager is trying to sabotage the production and must fix the chaos to keep the audience engaged.
- Automata by Will Henderson: Set decades after a cataclysm, players control a small police robot compelled by its basic programming to solve puzzles and hit patrol checkpoints, leaving a lasting impact on the world.
- Embers of the Lost Soul by Shaani Goering: Players control Ciro, a "soul painter" sent to the tragic town of Silverpeak. Using soul paint and investigative clues, you bring colour, light, and life back to a sorrowful population.
- Fraternité ou la Mort! by Vincey Ousey: Set during the French Revolution in 1793, a former executioner for the high class finds himself aligned with the rebellion, facing the ultimate historical choice: whether or not to execute Marie Antoinette.
- It Hides Beneath by Hollie Port: A suspenseful survival game where every choice matters as you try to make it through the night against the terrors lurking beneath.
- Crossroads by Sophie Macarthur: A surreal quest of self-discovery where players must face trials at a literal and metaphorical crossroads to uncover their full identity.
