Expertise – from Tokyo to the Tees Valley

Computer Games are mainly for males-correct? University of Teesside computing student Kazuko Uchida disagrees with this view and has designed a computer game for women as part of her final year project.

Kazuko’s project is entitled ‘JwJwka – heart of a phoenix’ and will be included in the University of Teesside’s expoTEES event, displaying the work of 40 selected final year Computing students. Other projects on display at expoTEES include the virtual world of Sherwood City, a futuristic metropolis, and an on-line property developer.

The event is being held for the first time and takes place on Thursday 18 May from 1.00pm-5.00pm in the New Technology Institute Suite, Victoria Road Building, Victoria Road, Middlesbrough. It is free and open to all members of the public. Dr Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland will be a VIP guest at 2.00pm. He is the invited guest of BA (Hons) Computer Games Design student Steve Kay, 21, from Sheffield, who has designed Sherwood City.

Kazuko Uchida, 40, from Tokyo, came to the UK after working in sales posts in her home city. She is in the final year of the University’s BA (Hons) Creative Visualisation degree. Kazuko came to Teesside to fulfil her lifelong ambition of studying art and computing. She said: “I’m a very keen game player but most computer games for women are from a male point of view. They’ve produced what they think women will be interested in, fashion, shopping, make-up. These things aren’t exciting subjects for a computer game, so I devised JwJwka the flying chick.”

Kazuko’s game is set on Olympus heaven and focuses on JwJwka, a baby chick. The chick is born from a phoenix’s feather, with no identity. The game explores the bird’s quest to find his identity, as he encounters gods, fairies, devils and monsters.

Kazuko added: “I’d love to see the game manufactured, that would be really exciting. The facilities at the University are amazing, like a castle full of treasure.”

Michelle Tellam, organiser of expoTEES, said: “We’ll be showcasing talent from all our computing degrees, including Computer Games and Animation. Students will be available to describe their projects, share expertise and displays will be interactive. ExpoTEES is really useful for everyone, from future computing students to anybody who is just thinking about a course in this area.”

For more details about expoTEES call 01642 342639, or e-mail scm-enquiries@tees.ac.uk

---