In 2005 the University of Huddersfield launched a small in house computer games studio, Canalside Studios. Funded by the University the studio was created to provide work placement opportunities for students from the BA Computer Games Design and BSc Computer Games Programming degrees as part of the courses sandwich placement provision. The studio team is made up of undergraduate students and is supported by members of academic staff.
The studio's first published title in 2007 "Yo Ho Kablammo", was developed for Xbox Live Arcade under a contract with Microsoft. Building on this success the studio produced its second Xbox live title, "Missing Reel" in 2008.
The experience of developing and releasing a game with the support of the XBLA team in Seattle provided the studio with invaluable insights into the world of games development, including managing the technical complexities of production and dealing with the financial and legal issues around software publication for an international market.
Having demonstrated that a small undergraduate development team have the necessary capabilities to deliver games and other software to a professional standard the studio team has undertaken a number of commissioned projects including prototyping an interactive children's book, a health promotion game and a game to celebrate International Researchers night. The studio has also been working in partnership with the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds to produce computer games and interactive 3D applications for display in the museum galleries. Whilst the studio's main focus is on enterprise and commercial experience for the student team it has a unique position within the University. It provides an effective interface between students and academic staff and the course's games industry partners.
The studio is currently working on mobile development (iPhone and Android devices) with two new titles due for release in spring 2012.
