Employing thousands of people worldwide, gaming is an industry that involves people with all sorts of skills: audio engineers, artists, designers and programmers.

Lecturers at St Martin’s Institute of Higher Education recognised this growing sector and have since introduced the Game Development Challenge. Now in its fifth instalment, this initiative was developed to give people a chance to gain experience in developing a game with others in a comprehensive way.

At the institute, participants can learn how to build a complete video game and are taught by academics who are specialists in their fields.

Starting in July, St Martin’s will provide boot camps, whereby participants will learn the concepts that go into the development of a game.

The Game Development Challenge is open to everyone. Multiple categories are open, depending on the individual’s level of experience.

A final judging session will take place in November. The winners will stand a chance of having their game published on several platforms such as the App Store or Google Play store. Last year’s winners, The Basement Studios, are set to have their game No Photos, Please! released on digital distribution platform Steam.

St Martin’s Institute explains the principles that go into industry-standard game development. Participants will learn how to build a portfolio, create prototypes and develop the skills professional game studios look for.

For those who have only dipped their toes into game development, this is an opportunity to become fully immersed in the process.

For the more confident in development, this competition is a challenge to refine skills, with the added guidance of qualified professionals.

More details about the challenge will also be available at the Open Day being held at St Martin’s Institute on July 5.

For more information, visit http://gamedev.stmartins.edu , call 2123 5441 or e-mail infodesk@stmartins.edu.