University of Toronto computer science students racked up points at the 2024 Level Up Showcase.
The event held on April 19 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto brought together 140 teams from colleges and universities across Ontario showcasing the work of students in game design, animation and computer science programs.
The exhibition for student-made games, which drew in over 2,000 attendees, celebrated student talent and creativity, attracting peers, industry judges and the public. Attendees had the chance to play the games and in turn, the student creators received live playtest feedback.
Students from CSC404: Video Game Design taught by instructor Elias Adum and Professor Steve Engels were well-represented at the competition, with 10 teams each from the fall 2023 and winter 2024 sections of the course.
Three teams with U of T computer science students came away with awards and honours. Here’s how they did:
Best Overall Game:
1st place: Pencil Pushers (U of T + Centennial College, Fall section)
Ryan Blasetti
Antonio Ferreras
Si (Leo) Wang
Tianhe (Sky) Zhang
A team of U of T computer science, music and Centennial College students won Best Overall Game for ‘Pencil Pushers’ at the 2024 Level Up Showcase. From left to right: Isaac Chan (Centennial College), Si (Leo) Wang (U of T CS), Antonio Ferreras (U of T CS), Tianhe (Sky) Zhang (U of T CS), Ryan Blasetti (U of T CS), Lily Lee (U of T Music), Sunwoo Kwon (Centennial College) and Ashlene Sereda (U of T Music). (Photo: Courtesy of Steve Engels)
Achievement in Accessibility:
3rd place: Paw Pirates (U of T + OCADU, Winter section)
Murray Smith
Kai Tan
Connor Burns
Anson Chen
U of T computer science students Kai Tan, Murray Smith and Connor Burns were part of the team that won third place in the Achievement in Accessibility category for their game ‘Paw Pirates’ at the 2024 Level Up Showcase. (Photo: Courtesy of Steve Engels)
Artistic Achievement:
Honourable mention: Skippy the Swimmer (U of T + Centennial College, Fall section)
Rene Koike
Hana Dowe
Andy Wang
Zhi Heng (Justin) Zheng
U of T computer science students Zhi Heng (Justin) Zheng, Rene Koike, Hana Dowe, and Andy Wang received an honourable mention in the Artistic Achievement category for their ‘Skippy the Swimmer’ game at the 2024 Level Up Showcase. (Photo: Courtesy of Elias Adum).