Durban gamers level up at inaugural AVOID tournament
Durban learners made their mark at the inaugural gaming event, cracking the top 10 and gaining their first taste of competitive play.
EMERIS is celebrating the success of the first ‘AVOID: Score Attack!’ event recently which brought together some of the best up and coming talent that Durban has to offer when it comes to gaming.
Durban High School (DHS) and Ridge Park College learners were among those that tested their skills at the event where second year IIE Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences in Game Design and Development student Saturn Kozlowski claimed top honours.
DHS matric learners Revan Pillay and Ashton Williams made the top 10. Williams and Pillay, along with their schoolmate Zipho Mdlalose, said they were encouraged to sign up after hearing about the event from their Information Technology teacher.
They downloaded the AVOID demo and later bought the full game. “This was the first time we entered a gaming event and making it to the finals felt like all my practising had paid off. Next time, I know I’ll do better,” said Williams.
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Also dabbling in gaming for the first time was Ridge Park College Grade 11 learner Lindelwa Zondi. She was initially nervous but quickly found her footing. “We’ve never gamed before and wanted to experience it. Once I started playing, I really enjoyed it,” said Zondi.
The competition, hosted by Emeris and Donderbos Games, is centred around AVOID, a commercially released Indie game developed by Henk Scheepers (Game Design and Development Lecturer at The Vega School at Emeris uMhlanga). Participants competed in a high score format with the top 10 advancing from the qualifier round to the finals.
Commenting on the success of the day, Scheepers said, “The first ‘AVOID: Score Attack!’ was everything we hoped it would be and more. What made the day special was seeing high school learners experience first-hand what The Vega School at Emeris is all about – creativity, passion and a genuine community built around game development and gaming culture.
“I’m hoping to make this an annual event and to grow it bigger and better each year as we continue to build the game development and gaming community here in Durban,” he added.
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