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“Red Rampant” was created with the help of Abertay games students as part of module project
A video game developed with input from Abertay University students has been released on the online game platform Steam.
Set during the turbulent period of the Scottish Wars of Independence, Red Rampant was produced in partnership with Abertay students as part of the University's professional project module for games students.
The game is the brainchild of Dundee-based studio Eclectic Synthesis, founded by Jake McCullagh and Chris Walker, neither of whom come from a game development background.
To bring their concept to life, the pair partnered with Abertay, gaining access to a team of eight third-year students from programmes within the Faculty of Design, Informatics, and Business.
Over the course of several months, Jake and Chris worked closely with the students, who provided crucial programming and coding support. The students’ contributions were instrumental in bringing Red Rampant to fruition, while also offering them invaluable hands-on experience in game development and the chance to work with a real-world client.
The collaboration was highly successful, resulting in the students continuing to contribute to the game after the module ended. This ongoing involvement led to three of the students being offered positions at the studio three students were offered positions at the studio, with one of them still working at the studio today.
Jake McCullagh, co-founder of Eclectic Synthesis, said:
We are incredibly grateful for the invaluable support we've received from Abertay in bringing our game to life. As a non-games graduate, I initially lacked the technical skills required for game development. However, the talented group of students stepped in to fill that gap, offering critical perspectives and coding expertise. Their contributions have been instrumental in our progress, and we truly appreciate their belief in our project and mission. We feel fortunate to collaborate with Abertay, an institution renowned for nurturing the next generation of game design talent.
In addition to collaborating with the students as part of the module, Eclectic Synthesis also benefited from guidance from the University’s entrepreneurship centre, Bell Street Ventures. This support included workshops and events designed to foster a strong business mindset, as well as practical assistance in effectively promoting and marketing their product.
Jake recently hosted an online lecture for Abertay students, where he shared his journey of developing his own game along with the valuable business practices he acquired along the way.
Simon Fraser, Enterprise Officer, said:
Bell Street Ventures is dedicated to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups by providing tailored business support. We understand the unique challenges faced by these businesses and offer strategic mentorship, resources, and access to networks that foster growth and innovation. Our aim is to cultivate an ecosystem where aspiring entrepreneurs can thrive and turn their ideas into successful ventures. I’m pleased to have provided support to Eclectic Synthesis during their business journey, and it’s great to see that Red Rampant is now available and has received a positive response.
"Red Rampant" transports players to the First War of Scottish Independence, depicting Robert the Bruce's struggle for the Scottish crown. To enhance the educational and immersive experience, the game features dialogue in Scots Gaelic and Scots, allowing players to feel deeply connected to the historical setting.
