Game on for Digital Fellowship Company

A smartphone brainteaser dreamed up by two Teesside University graduates is being tipped for the top at Christmas.

Wurdy is an easy to play word association game that will be released later this month by friends Bob Makin, 27, and Darren Cuthbert, 25.

The duo set up their business, SockMonkey Studios, just six months ago to create Wurdy and have now hired two new staff - Matty Gill, 18, and Jacob Keane, 20, to add the final touches to the game.

Bob and Darren are hoping Wurdy will take the games market by storm because it can be played by everyone from kids to grandmas.

Based in Teesside University’s business incubation centre on Victoria Road, Bob and Darren were able to start their business after being accepted onto Teesside University’s Digital Fellowship Programme.

The centre provides training, support and advice to graduate start-up businesses and works alongside DigitalCity to grow businesses that will benefit the Teesside economy.

Bob said: 'Our objective with Wurdy was to make a game you can play with anyone. It’s designed to appeal to people of all ages – you can just as easily play it with your mum as you can with your friends.'

The two creators are both from Middleton St. George in Darlington and previously worked together for game developer Team 17 in Wakefield.

Bob said: 'It was on one of our long drives down to Wakefield that we decided take the plunge and set up our own company.

'I applied to Teesside University to get a place on the DigitalCity Fellowship programme and within two weeks was accepted – I was expecting it to take months.'

As well as games, SockMonkey Studios develops mobile apps and offers digital coding and testing services.

Laura Woods, Director of Academic Enterprise at Teesside University, said: 'It’s small businesses run by entrepreneurs like Bob and Darren that are going to play a big part in reviving the North East and UK economy.

'SockMonkey Studios is one of a number of businesses that has become a success through our programme. It’s great to see and shows why the support and advice from DigitalCity is so beneficial.'

Bob said: 'It’s a great feeling to be in a position where you’re taking on new staff to help grow your business.

'Teesside University, DigitalCity Innovation and DigitalCity Business have all been fantastic. They’ve helped us with a lot of the nitty-gritty that’s often not considered when setting up a business – things like accountancy and tax returns.

'Some of the people they’ve also been able to introduce us to have been invaluable, such as DigitalCity Fellow Luke Jackson who has helped us develop Wurdy.'

The game will cost £1.99 to download and will be available on Android and iOS smartphones.

This project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013 is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region.

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