Video games designers hoping they have a hit on their hands

Fledgling video games designers from the University of Northampton have been creating a buzz in the gaming world after unleashing a playable demo at two national conventions.

Gamers at the UK’s biggest games expo, EGX17, and the north’s biggest, Play Expo Manchester, were full of praise for co-op couch game Mechanic Panic.

Developed by Games Art student, Tom McLennan, and Computer Games Development undergraduates Kieron McNamee and Joseph Higgins, Mechanic Panic is a multi-player title which sees gamers race against time to repair cars.

The team came up with the concept when they were challenged to come up with a game within 48 hours with the theme ‘give and take’ at the Brains Eden games jam over the summer.

While Mechanic Panic is still in the development stage, a playable demo went down a storm with gamers at the recent conventions – and received a great review from the respected website Big Boss Battle.com

Watch a demo version of Mechanic Panic below:

Tom said: “The response from people playing the game at the expos has been incredible.

“We’ve had people shouting and almost fighting as they scramble to get the right parts to fix the car – that sort of response is definitely a good sign!”

From left: Tom McLennan, Joe Higgins and Kieron McNamee

Tom, Kieron and Joseph, who come from Podington, Corby and Wilmslow, respectively, will continue to develop the game as they look to attract a publisher.

“One of the main aims is to develop a story mode, to give the game more longevity, and hopefully a publisher will see something they like, sign us up and get the game out to the public next year,” said Tom.

A screenshot from the game

Find out more about Mechanic Panic on the website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.