Dumbarton gamers enjoy visit from Tullichewan developer

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Gamers in Dumbarton got to test a new release before it hit the shelves - after a visit from a Vale born video game designer.Erin Stevenson, who works for video game development firm Puny Astronaut, visited Bellsmyre Digital Community’s gaming club - giving youngsters the chance to try their hand at the company’s first release, Skye Tales, which is due to launch later this year.Former Vale of Leven Academy pupil Erin, from Tullichewan, and colleagues took the time to explain more about their journey - from gaming enthusiasts to highly skilled programmers.Erin said: “I’ve been lucky enough throughout my life that I’ve always had access to games and played countless throughout the years, but I never knew you could actually make them, they just seemed to appear.“My grades in school leaned more towards the science side of things, so up until half-way through sixth year I was ready to become an engineer, but another girl from my class talked about applying to game art courses, particularly Abertay University, so I changed my entire state of mind and focused solely on game and digital art courses from then on.“For too long it was seen as a boy’s hobby, but think about how many people play games on their phone now that it’s no different, and I’m relieved to see the views on that have changed so much.“More than anything, it’s really good to see girls getting passionate about games.“I think it’s important to know that, just like any industry, there are so many roles required to keep things working smoothly.

No matter what you’re good at, there is space for you.”Erin was invited to last Saturday’s event in Dumbarton by Bellsmyre Digital Community’s project manager Kathleen Smith, who hopes youngsters can be inspired by her story.K