Project info
- Developer Alex Birrell
- Showcase year 2025
- Programme Computer Arts
Synopsis
The Ever-Elusive Ely is an illustrated experience consisting of thirteen different perspectives that make up Ely Ark - the weariest, dreariest, eeriest town you've never known. Visitors are encouraged to make their way through town with point-and-click style navigation, taking in its distinct visual style and keeping an eye out for the various narrative elements embedded in the detailed surroundings. Despite the lack of dialogue, this is an introduction to a quaint fishing town brimming with character and, with any luck, one that visitors just won't be able to leave...
What motivated you to develop/create this project?
It’s an amalgamation of all the media I’ve grown up with a passion for - games, books, films, everything that inspired me to turn to art in the first place. I’ve always loved immersing myself in other worlds, and so this felt like the perfect opportunity to create a world of my own. Following this theme, my favourite part of any game is not gameplay but rather snooping around trying to find secret parts of the story, and so I have made this project for similar people.
What has been a highlight of your time at Abertay?
Discovering people who are just like me and exploring our shared interests together; learning from said people and developing our skills alongside each other. I come from a small place, and so to find myself in such a large crowd of similar people on the course has, ironically, helped me to come into my own. I have gotten to work with such interesting and talented individuals on projects and at events facilitated by the university, and for that I will be forever grateful. I have learned so much not just in the context of my degree but for my life going forward, and attending university has given me the time and space to do so.
What are your hopes and future ambitions for after graduation?
Not much is certain about my future, but the one certainty I do have is that I want to continue working in a creative industry. My life has always revolved around art in its various forms and Abertay has encouraged me to pursue this passion while contextualising it and applying it to viable career paths. Primarily, I would love to create narrative art - storyboarding for film would be the ultimate dream, however I would be happy in any art role as long as I get to tell stories - comics, games, books, I’m keeping an open mind right now. I’m excited to build my portfolio with the knowledge I’ve accumulated and continue to improve.
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