Retro gaming technique sees Joshua clinch national computing competition

“Outstanding problem-solving skills” helped an S3 student from Kirkwall Grammar School win a national competition aimed at raising the profile of Computing Science in schools. 

Joshua Walker won a robotics kit from dressCode, a charity dedicated to inspiring pupils to pursue a career in computing science. 

Joshua used a technique called 'ray casting' to develop a 3D game using 2D games design software, an advanced feat of software engineering that would please retro gamers and ‘DOOM’ fans. Judges reviewed his game and were impressed with his efforts. 

Joshua said: “I've always wanted to make a 3D game within ‘Scratch’ (the software development environment he used to make the game), so when I decided to play the original 'DOOM' from 1993 I got a sudden motivation to do so. 

“I never expected to win the competition as I had never intended on entering it in the first place, but my teacher Mr Soames urged me to take part, so you can imagine it was a pleasant surprise when I found out that I had won. 

“It was really encouraging to hear that lots of people had actually tried my game, a few people even asked if I was planning on adding a second level. One day I hope to work in the game industry.” 

If you'd like to try out Joshua’s game for yourself then head over to https://tinyurl.com/JetboyX on your computer. 

KGS students were given the opportunity to develop games and submit their best efforts into the competition as a part of their Computing Science S3 course. 

Computing Science teacher, Denis Soames, said: “Joshua took the learning from the classroom and ran with it, doing his own independent research and using outstanding problem-solving skills to create something unique and memorable. 

“He could have used a 3D games engine to easily make his game, but he wanted to learn the ray casting technique used by early 3D games in the 80s. This added significant challenges to his project. 

“We are all looking forward to the next competition where we hope Joshua and others will continue to represent KGS nationally and impress judges."