The Brock University student team, creators of video game Dead on Arrival, took home first place in the People’s Choice category at the 2024 Level Up Showcase in Toronto this past weekend. It was a next-level weekend for Brock University game design students, faculty and staff.
Students from the Interactive Arts and Science (IASC) and GAME programs competed against 150 student teams from across Ontario, showcasing their video games at the 2024 Level Up Showcase and securing multiple top awards in highly sought-after categories.
Among the winning games were Cosmic Justice, which was awarded first place in the Accessibility in Games category, and Dead on Arrival, a high-stakes racing game that took first place in the coveted People’s Choice award category.
Not far behind was Unnatural Selection, which clinched second place in the same category.
Reverex, a collaborative project between Brock and Niagara College third-year students, was honoured with third place for Innovating Technology, highlighting Brock’s commitment to merging technical skill with artistic expression in video game creation.
Aaron Mauro, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Digital Humanities, said this weekend’s performance continues to strengthen Brock’s position as a leader in the interactive digital media sector in the province.
“Seeing our game design students excel on such a significant platform continues to enhance our work in bridging academic excellence with industry expectations,” Mauro said.
Known for its competitive spirit and creativity, the annual Level Up Showcase held at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto celebrates student talent in game design and allows teams to share their work with the public and industry professionals.
In addition to industry networking and celebrating community, the event also provides a platform and key experiential learning opportunity for students to receive live feedback from people testing their games.
Mauro said the awards reflect the creativity and hard work of DDH students, staff and faculty.
“We are committed to providing a supportive environment that encourages creativity and practical application of knowledge, combining cutting-edge technology and practical experience,” he said.
