USW Games supports Runwild Entertainment with funding from Tranzfuser & UK Games Fund

The University of South Wales (USW) has been named as one of three pioneering organisations that have been recognised for their contribution to the UK Games Talent’s Tranzfuser competition after grants from the UK Games Fund were awarded in their names.

USW, Digital Creativity Labs (DCL) in York, Eastern Enterprise Hub in the South East of England, each selected an industry start-up in their area to receive a share of £50,000 after each facility excelled in providing local hub support to competitors in the Tranzfuser 2016 competition process.

DCL chose Cooperative Innovations Ltd to receive a grant, while USW picked a start-up games develop company from Caerphilly called Runwild Entertainment Ltd to benefit from the money. Eastern Enterprise Hub decided to have the money in its name awarded to Miracle Tea, the company it has hosted during the Tranzfuser competition and beyond.

Head of Outreach and Talent at the UK Games Fund, Deborah Farley, explained the role of Local Hubs: ‘Tranzfuser offers entrepreneurial organisations across the UK the opportunity to support graduate teams who aspire to make their mark on the UK games industry.

‘With the help and support of Local Hubs we can provide competitors with an invaluable connection into a national competition. We know that our Local Hubs see great value in their role in Tranzfuser.

‘By providing support and physically hosting teams, it gives these organisations the chance to invest into the UK games industry at a grass root level.’

Production Director at Runwild Entertainment Ltd, Martin Onions, said: ‘Runwild Entertainment Ltd is made up of experienced games industry veterans with combined experience of 65 years. We’re currently developing our first game – a unique multiplayer experience that allows players to connect across different devices and interfaces.

‘This nomination shows how committed USW is to supporting its alumni and local games companies and as a graduate of USW and on a personal level I feel very grateful. The money means a lot to the company and will allows us to develop our first IP to the point where we can take it out to demonstrate to publishers and the public.’

Deborah added: ‘By awarding this money in recognition of the work of our Local Hubs we’ve had the opportunity not only to highlight the inauguration of Tranzfuser but also the hard work of hundreds of people across the country.

‘In actual fact, when it came to choosing the three winners the selection panel had an extremely difficult task to perform due to the high standard of professionalism and the level of support provided by our Local Hubs throughout the UK’

‘Tranzfuser is only a success because of every single one of our supporters and the commitment they give to helping our competitors. We cannot wait to work with an extended network of local hubs as part of Tranzfuser 2017.’

Find out more about Runwild Entertainment’s debut title Almighty… http://www.runwildent.com/almighty


Tranzfuser 2016 Roundup

We’ve had a great summer being a hub for Tranzfuser. USW Games hosted two teams of graduates Topkek & Duel Fuel, providing working space, equipment, software and access to a fantastic set of mentors.

Over the 10 weeks of the summer programme the teams worked intensively on their game ideas and prototypes.

Topkek – Boden Project
Ringworld management simulator.
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Click to view Video

Duel Fuel – Infinite Void
An infinite running with a twist.

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Click to view Trailer

We invited many mentors in over the duration of the project to talk with the teams about their games and advise on best practice for development, with

A huge thank you to all of the mentors for taking part, Ian Thomas (Frictional Games & Talespinners), Ted Everett (Kerbal Space Programme), Russ Morris (Freelance Unity Specialist),  Anton Faulconbridge (Rant Media), Ella Romanos (Strike Game Labs & Rocket Lolly Games), Ben Cawthorne (Thud Media), Shame Skuse (Thud Media) and Karl Jones (Unity).

We also gave the teams chance to showcase their early work at the Wales Games Development Show in June.

When I first heard of Tranzfuser I knew how big it would be for everyone who took part. I wasn’t wrong. Tranzfuser had so much more to offer than just a £25k prize to further develop our game, with industry mentors coming in every week, to attending/showcasing at events. I felt taking part in Tranzfuser was one of the best start to my career that I could ask for. Although we didn’t get through to the last 6 to go on and win further funding, my team feel like winners with all we have learnt and experienced. 
Jack Bevan Davies (Duel Fuel – Team Lead)

“Tranzfuser was a great experience to gain as a practitioner in the industry. It provides a powerful experience for any student looking to launch themselves into the Games Industry by bridging the gap between university driven production and the “real world”. Allowing for unfiltered interaction with the industry ranging from working with contractors to attending events and dealing with competing for funding in a very real way. Regardless of its outcome, its true worth  lies in the lessons it teaches and those lessons are worth learning. In short, do it.
Lloyd Jones (Topkek – Team Lead)

The teams were also given the opportunity to showcase their work at EGX, meeting loads of industry people and members of the public.

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We’ve had great fun hosting the teams and we are now looking forward to next year and excited to see what project ideas it brings!