VLU students shine at Vietnamese Game Talent Incubation Competition

With their projects in the "Topebox Accelerator #1 - Vietnamese Game Talent Incubation 2024" competition, two teams of students from Van Lang University's Digital Art & Design program (course 25) achieved impressive success. Their innovative and engaging game projects, "FEED ME" and "PANNACE," garnered them the Third Prize and Encouragement Award respectively.

A hallmark of the Van Lang University Digital Art & Design program is its emphasis on fostering a creative learning environment where students are encouraged to develop and apply their skills throughout their academic journey. Each year, Van Lang students' coursework and graduation projects in game design capture the attention of a large youth audience, generating significant buzz on social media platforms. VLU lecturers collaborate closely with students to cultivate novel and distinctive creative projects.

Driven by the desire to explore a new platform, learn from a wider network of peers, and unearth opportunities to develop their creative concepts, two teams of students from course 25 majoring in Digital Art & Design of the Faculty of Arts and Design, presented their 2D Game Design coursework projects at the "Topebox Accelerator #1 - Vietnamese Game Talent Incubation 2024" competition. This competition, held in conjunction with the Vietnam GameVerse 2024, provides an exciting venue for Gen Z across the country who are passionate about game design to experiment, refine their creative ideas, and delve into the field's potential within the context of global digitalization. 

With simple storylines, captivating graphics, and age-appropriate gameplay that effectively conveyed the intended message, the "FEED ME" and "PANNACE" projects impressed the judges and won the third and encouragement prizes, respectively, in this year's competition.

The project "FEED ME" is developed by a group of students including Tran Thanh Nhan, Nguyen Le Minh Ngan, Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran, Vu Doan Xuan Nhi, Ha Cat Tuong and Le Ngoc Anh Lam (Supervisor: Artist Tran Quang Tri). According to Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran, the "FEED ME" project’s concept of soldiers supporting residents in deserted high-rise buildings, originated from students' personal experiences during the COVID-19 quarantine. The game features four scenes set in abandoned high-rise buildings. Players assume the role of soldiers tasked with delivering food to residents while simultaneously combating dark forces.  

In stark contrast to the enigmatic and somewhat frightening ambiance of "FEED ME," "PANNACE," developed by Vu Son Trang and Nguyen Thai Lan Anh (Supervisor: MA. Hoang Thi Anh Nghi), boasts a brighter color palette. Lan Anh explained the project's concept: "Pannace" translates to "healing" in Greek. Given the current environmental devastation primarily caused by human actions, I aspire for this game to transcend mere entertainment. It aims to raise awareness and cultivate a sense of responsibility among young people regarding environmental protection and the preservation of nature." 

The video game industry in Vietnam has transcended mere entertainment and has evolved into a promising sector with significant growth. The industry's revenue in Vietnam recently surpassed 500 million USD, solidifying its fifth-place ranking in Southeast Asia. This growth fosters a burgeoning game design market, creating numerous opportunities for young people to pursue careers within this field. The recognition garnered by the two teams of course 25 students, and by extension, the Digital Art & Design program within the Faculty of Arts & Design at Van Lang University, at the "Topebox Accelerator #1 - Vietnamese Game Talent Incubation 2024" competition has instilled an even greater sense of motivation and confidence for students to pursue their passions and forge a brighter future as professional game designers.

News: Tran Phuc
Images: Provided by students