GCU graduates win national Tranzfuser 2025 competition

Team ResByte Games, a group of recent graduates from Glasgow Caledonian University, has been named one of four national winners of the Tranzfuser 2025 competition.

The team − Jamie Caldwell (BSc Games Development), Andrew Proudfoot (BSc 3D Animation and Visualisation), and Adam Thompson (BSc 3D Animation and Visualisation) − has received a UK Games Fund prototype grant to help develop its game, Deep Hunger, towards commercial release.

Tranzfuser, a UK-wide talent development programme funded by the UK Games Fund, supports emerging game developers in creating and showcasing original projects. The initiative helps graduates build independent studios, sharpen business and production skills, and connect with industry mentors to launch sustainable careers in the games sector.

Deep Hunger is described as a fast-paced, single-player, first-person cooking game set in a Lovecraftian world. Players take on the role of a cook serving monstrous patrons who were once ordinary townsfolk. As orders pile up, players must prepare meals, upgrade their kitchen and survive each increasingly chaotic night without becoming the next item on the menu.

Glasgow Caledonian serves as a local hub for the Tranzfuser programme, providing mentoring, technical guidance and facilities throughout the summer development period. The initiative is led by Hamid Homatash, Deputy Head of the Department of Computer Science, with support from lecturer Alan Jack.

Participating teams receive an initial £7,500 grant to develop their projects from June to September. Games are then showcased at ProtoPlay before being assessed for additional prototype funding of up to £25,000.

Hamid Homatash said: “It is with my absolute delight that our recent graduates are among the winners of Tranzfuser this year. The team worked incredibly hard over the summer at the GCU local hub. They were always passionate and enthusiastic about the project, and this shows in the end product. They took onboard all feedback given to them to help refine their designs to create an engaging game that appeals to a wide audience. It was a pleasure to be part of this journey with the team − they truly deserve this success.”

Alan Jack added: “It’s one thing to make something that brings a smile to a player or two, but to convince a professional body that you’re able to sustainably build a marketable product that brings joy to players is a real achievement. Jamie, Andrew and Adam’s success shows what can be achieved through hard work, study and community feedback − a well-earned prize and an encouraging start to their future careers.”

Jamie Caldwell said: “I'm super proud of my team, Andrew and Adam. We have gone from concept to a developed prototype that caught the attention of those in the industry and the public. It feels amazing to put the knowledge and skills we gained from our years of study to the test. The support we have received has been instrumental. We’re grateful to Hamid and Alan, who introduced us to the Tranzfuser programme and enabled us to collaborate over the summer while providing invaluable feedback. I strongly encourage students to consider Tranzfuser as an option after graduation!”