Niagara College’s game development professor, Conor MacNeill, takes a moment to appreciate the vibrant scene unfolding in the Welland campus library, where teams of students are proudly presenting their capstone projects to an enthusiastic crowd. The atmosphere is electric, filled with the palpable excitement of creativity and accomplishment.
“For us, this is like Christmas,” MacNeill shares, his enthusiasm evident. “It’s our most exciting day of the year, celebrating the games and the hard work that the students have put in. It’s a tribute to the program and the remarkable individuals within it.”
Growth and Innovation in Game Development
MacNeill’s journey from the business sector to academia coincided with the inception of the game development program 14 years ago. Since then, he has witnessed its evolution from a modest cohort of about a dozen graduates to a bustling community of students, including those enrolled in a collaborative initiative with Brock University.
“Some of our students have VR games here,” he notes with pride. “While we had VR projects in the last five or six years, the first five years saw none. Now, our students are exploring all avenues of game design. It’s truly exciting.”
First-year student Mark Lampman, who transitioned from engineering to game development, is among those soaking in the atmosphere. Growing up as a gamer, he finds himself impressed by the creativity on display. “I actually play-tested many of these games earlier in the semester. It’s fascinating to see how much they’ve progressed since then,” he remarks.
Joining Lampman is Dante Bell, a fourth-year student in the Brock/Niagara joint co-op program. Recently, he completed internships with local companies, PIxelNAUTS and Creative Bytes Studio. As a producer for his team, Slugworks, Bell showcases their game, Green Thing from the Planet Jupiter.
“It’s a two-player competitive chase game inspired by Looney Tunes,” Bell explains. “One player controls a little green alien that has crash-landed on Earth, while the other plays as a cat trying to thwart the alien’s quest to collect five household items to repair its UFO.”
Slugworks comprises 12 dedicated students, with Bell contributing as both an artist and a project manager. “I coordinated meetings and helped the art team refine their style,” he explains, noting the significant time commitment involved—each member dedicating 10 to 20 hours weekly since September, culminating in approximately 600 hours of effort per person.
The game itself is a fast-paced, visually engaging experience, blending 2D and 3D graphics. As Lampman and his friend Evan Fisher dive into the gameplay, they quickly find themselves immersed in the fun.
Each team at the GDLaunch event has crafted a unique presentation, some featuring professionally designed signage and others embracing more elaborate promotional strategies. “When we first held GDLaunch, marketing was minimal,” MacNeill recalls. “Now, everyone is actively promoting their games, with costumes, stickers, and other merchandise. They’re really selling their creations.”
The sense of community is palpable, with students circulating the room to engage with each other’s projects. “It’s wonderful to see such support among them,” MacNeill observes. “We have around 25 alumni here today, many of whom are looking to hire. They return because they recognize the quality of our program.”
Looking ahead, the outlook for graduates entering the gaming industry appears promising. Following a slight downturn in 2022, the sector is experiencing growth, with expectations of continued expansion through 2027—an encouraging sign for students like Lampman, who is set to graduate that year.
Meanwhile, Bell is charting a different course. A member of the 809 Newark Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, he plans to join Canada’s Armed Forces. “I’m entering the Regular Officer’s Training Program,” he shares. “While I’ll continue to pursue game development as a hobby, I hope to apply my skills to military training simulations.”
Following the GDLaunch, MacNeill and fellow professors accompanied 64 graduates to the annual Level Up Showcase at Toronto’s Harbor Castle Convention Centre, where 155 games were on display. The event mirrored the energy of Niagara’s gathering, amplified to new heights.
At the showcase, Green Thing from the Planet Jupiter secured second place for Achievement in Audio, while The Small Scale Studio’s Goofy Lil Guys won the People’s Choice Award. Additionally, Pack Rat Studio’s Grasping Chaos received an honorable mention, and Dark Matter Observatory’s Ventomori earned second place for Achievement in Accessibility.
“There were at least 5,000 attendees,” MacNeill reflects. “The atmosphere was incredible. For the second consecutive year, we won the People’s Choice Award. The level of innovation and dedication displayed in these games is simply remarkable.”
