Accentuate

Gaming! is an Accentuate project delivered by Creative Junction.   We were delighted to launch the game and celebrate the completion of the project at an event on 13th July 2010 at Pinewood Studios.

The aim of Gaming! was to create an interactive online game which was inspired by the Paralympics and story of Stoke Mandeville.  Creative & Media Diploma staff and students at Chalfonts Community College (Bucks) worked with Stoke Mandeville Stadium and industry experts including Dr Tom Scutt one of the designers on Tomb Raider.

Dr Tom Scutt said “It's certainly been inspirational and I think it would be no exaggeration to say that I've learned as much as I've taught!”   

The game is based on wheelchair basketball and raises players’ awareness of the physical and psychological strength required by Paralympians, as well as some of the barriers that disabled athletes must overcome in order to compete at a world-class level. The game “Wheels of Glory” is playable through the CCC and Accentuate websites and will enable young people from all over the world to play against one another.

The launch event was a fantastic opportunity to get the young people who had been involved and their parents together, alongside their teachers, and members of the Accentuate and CCC teams, as well as individuals from Bucks County Council, Stoke Mandeville Stadium, members of the press and ex-paralympians.  It was wonderful to hear the testimonials from the students saying how much they had learnt from the project, particularly skills around communication and working as a team.  Their tutor Hannah Stower commented that

 “it had been impossible to put a sealing on the project as the students wanted to do more and more”. 

The enthusiasm was apparent, not only amongst the team who created “Wheels of Glory” but also with the other two teams of students who had created another two games.

The event itself was held at the impressive Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios. There was a sense of excitement from the beginning, as we entered the building via a red carpet.  Guests were also privileged to a tour of Studio Seven.  The home of Accentuate is Screen South who are based at Pinewood and it was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the connections between projects  that Accentuate aims to promote.

Accentuate also looks to promote innovative ideas and new ways of working.  Gaming!  embraced this in all aspects of  project delivery including using new ways of teaching via web cam.  Guests at the launch were able to see how this worked via a live link up to Roxanne Hadad in Chicago.  She had been working alongside Dr Tom Scutt and course tutor Hannah Stower to facilitate learning.  The sense that Gaming! had broken much new ground was apparent, not only amongst  the onlookers but also with the students and teachers who had been involved.

Greg Hodgson, Senior Leader at Chalftons Community College and Head of Art & Design said:

“Gaming! has been a really exciting and engaging project for staff as well as students. It has allowed us to test cutting edge technologies and developed all of our understanding of online learning. It’s been fascinating to have a real client, with a specific brief to do with disability that has given the process real meaning, far greater than just making a game. It has really challenged students and staff’s understanding and knowledge.” 

In all areas of Gaming! from the level of teaching, the processes  used, the engagement of students, through to the launch event itself, it was clear that every aspect was valued.  The game itself requires you to collect gems to keep up your levels of Excellence, Determination and Inspiration and these themes were clearly evident throughout the project and launch event too.

The aim of Gaming! was to create an interactive online game which was inspired by the Paralympics and story of Stoke Mandeville.  Creative & Media Diploma staff and students at Chalfonts Community College (Bucks) worked with Stoke Mandeville Stadium and industry experts including Dr Tom Scutt one of the designers on Tomb Raider.

Dr Tom Scutt said “It's certainly been inspirational and I think it would be no exaggeration to say that I've learned as much as I've taught!”     

The game is based on wheelchair basketball and raises players’ awareness of the physical and psychological strength required by Paralympians, as well as some of the barriers that disabled athletes must overcome in order to compete at a world-class level. The game “Wheels of Glory” is playable through the CCC and Accentuate websites and will enable young people from all over the world to play against one another.

The launch event was a fantastic opportunity to get the young people who had been involved and their parents together, alongside their teachers, and members of the Accentuate and CCC teams, as well as individuals from Bucks County Council, Stoke Mandeville Stadium, members of the press and ex-paralympians.  It was wonderful to hear the testimonials from the students saying how much they had learnt from the project, particularly skills around communication and working as a team.  Their tutor Hannah Stower commented that

 “it had been impossible to put a sealing on the project as the students wanted to do more and more”. 

The enthusiasm was apparent, not only amongst the team who created “Wheels of Glory” but also with the other two teams of students who had created another two games.

The event itself was held at the impressive Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios. There was a sense of excitement from the beginning, as we entered the building via a red carpet.  Guests were also privileged to a tour of Studio Seven.  The home of Accentuate is