University skills take graduates to accolades

In a remarkable display of creativity and educational commitment, a duo of graduates from Glasgow Caledonian University was awarded the prestigious Creativity Award at the Scottish Games Awards during Scottish Games Week.

Their ground-breaking project, Marion's Journey, is an educational computer game that delves into the poignant and stark realities of the Holocaust, offering a unique and immersive learning experience.

Marion's Journey is an interactive narrative, inspired by the life and experiences of Marion Camrass during the tumultuous era of the Second World War. Players are taken on a captivating journey, tracing Marion's path from fleeing Poland in 1939, her travels through several countries, and ultimately her settling in Glasgow in 1946.

The two masterminds behind this transformative project are Glasgow Caledonian graduates Máté Tóth Ridovics (BSc Computer Games - Art and Animation) and Thomas Salgarella (BSc Computer Games - Design). Their collaboration involved a complete redesign of the game, originally developed as part of a university project.

The pair, who have set up their own company, Chimera Tales, are dedicated to utilising video games as a medium to explore complex societal, political, and historical issues. Their earlier project, Hotel Arcanum, was recognised with the UK Government-funded Tranzfuser prize in 2020, providing them with £20,000 to further develop both the game and their studio. The game examined the concept of "transgenerational holocaust trauma" and highlighted how the legacy of the Holocaust continues to impact descendants of its survivors.

Marion's Journey stands as a testament to the power of storytelling through video games. It centres on fragments of an interview with Marion herself, allowing players to engage with her voice and experience her remarkable journey.

The game's redesign was commissioned by the Gathering the Voices charity, namely Hilary and Steven Anson, Claire and Howard Singerman, Dr David Shapiro, and Dr Angela Shapiro, who is an Honorary Fellow of Glasgow Caledonian University. Gathering the Voices collects and preserves the stories of those who found sanctuary in Scotland following remarkable journeys escaping Nazi-dominated Europe.

Dr Shapiro said: “I believe this is the first complete educational computer game that has been developed in Scotland about the Holocaust, and it is going to be used across the globe. What is wonderful about the redevelopment of Marion's Journey is that it has been carried out by two incredibly talented Glasgow Caledonian graduates.

“Máté and Thomas have been very generous in offering their time and services to help redevelop the game for a fraction of what it would usually cost to make a game.”

Máté expressed his pride in the project. He said: “For us, redeveloping an educational game around Marion Camrass's testimony is not only a single project about a survivor but a contribution to that experiment.

“We recognise the importance of providing accessible Holocaust education to current and future generations, adapting to the evolving landscape of media consumption. Video games offer a unique medium for engaging younger audiences and exploring profound historical events.

Thomas added: “We think of the medium of video games as an art form to raise questions regarding social, political, or historical topics. Through Marion's Journey, we aim to foster understanding, empathy, and meaningful engagement with one of the most tragic events in human history.”

The game’s success is also testament to the support provided by the games programmes at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Hamid Homatash, who heads up the department, said: “It has been a real pleasure to be part of the exciting journey of the owners of Chimera Tales. From teaching both Thomas and Máté on the game’s programmes here at the University, to mentoring them to win the Tranzfuser 2020 competition, and providing advice and support for their award-winning game Marion’s Journey.

“To have the privilege to be part of this special journey, and see them progress from students to owning their own games studio making highly creative award-winning games, is why I love doing my job. We love to nurture prospective talent, provide guidance, and support our graduates well beyond their time at university and its fantastic to be part of this inspiring journey.”

Pictured from left are: Hamid Homatash (taught Thomas, and helped provide feedback on Marion’s Journey); Amanda Ford (part organiser of Scottish Games Week and former Glasgow Caledonian member of staff); Thomas Salgarella (Chimera Tales, winner of the Creativity award for Marion’s Journey); Bryan Young (programme leader of the BSc (Hons) Games Development programme at Glasgow Caledonian, who taught Thomas)

Photo: Maxime Ragni