TWO Salisbury teenagers have become the first Wiltshire College students to have a computer game published while still studying.

Jack Coleman and Will Batty-Smith are both computer games animation students, and had their game Hectic Highways released earlier this month on the international digital distribution platform Steam.

Will, 19, from Mere, said: “We are really thrilled that Hectic Highways has been released on Steam, and we are also very proud.”

The release was the result of seven months of work and features 15 different levels across four different environments.

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In May 2018, Jack and Will took part in the college Games Jam and developed a car racing game which would eventually become Hectic Highways.

They teamed up with another Level 3 student, who focused on 3D modelling, and a friend of Jack’s studying graphic design at university joined them as a concept artist.

Jack, 18, from Salisbury, said: “We sent it off to Steam and were delighted when they approved it.

“Since then we have been working on promoting it ahead of the launch and just can’t wait to see it live.”

Jack added: “Lots of the students here at college have tried playing it, but so far I am the only one to have completed it.

“I think people would describe the game as addictive but also frustrating as if you crash, you have to start the whole level again.

“We deliberately did that to make it more challenging.”

Emilio Di Pietro, the deputy head for creative arts, specialising in games development.said: “This game and the experience they have from it will prove a great asset and will help them to gain their first position in the industry after they graduate.”

Hectic Highways is available to buy now on Steam for £2.99.

You can also watch the trailer for it here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUnNSApqj94