A video game co-developed by University of Chicago undergraduate Sean Hogan is a finalist in the Entertainment Software Association’s inaugural E3 College Game Competition. Hogan’s game, “Anodyne,” will receive a special showcase display at E3, the world’s premier trade show for computer and video games that will take place June 11 to 13 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The winner of the competition also will be named at the show. The other finalists are from Alamo Colleges, Northwest Vista College; Brigham Young University; Savannah College of Art and Design; and the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Hogan, a third-year in computer science, developed the game’s programming and music. His partner, Carleton College’s Jonathan Kittaka, handled artwork and writing. In Anodyne, gamers explore and fight their way through nature, urban and abstract-themed areas in the subconscious of a character named Young, evoked by the 16-bit era visual style of mid-1990s game consoles and a moody, dreamlike soundtrack.
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"What Sean has accomplished with "Anodyne" is truly impressive," said Borja Sotomayor, associate director for technology and lecturer in computer science at UChicago. "Not only did he and Jon work on it for nearly a year while being full-time students, they also promoted and released the game on their own, instead of partnering with a video game company. Plus, after releasing the game in February, "Anodyne" was met with glowing reviews."
The competition targeted nearly 400 U.S. colleges and universities with computer and video game development programs. A panel of game publishers, developers and media outlets reviewed each competition submission. The finalists will now display their games among nearly 200 computer and video game companies that will show their most innovative and advanced interactive entertainment products at this year’s E3.
“We are extremely pleased with the impressive array of talent demonstrated by the E3 college competition submissions and our chosen finalists represent the most promising and innovative submissions as determined by our industry veteran judges,” said Rich Taylor, senior vice president of communications and industry affairs at ESA. “Our goal is to nurture the next generation of industry talent and our finalists have earned their place among the stellar line-up of top industry companies that will unveil exciting news and products at E3.”
—Prof. Kunle Odunsi
