University of Suffolk and Eastern Enterprise Hub graduates prepare for launch of mobile game app

Miracle Tea studios has won £10,000 funding from Google to develop its computer game for release. L-R Enrico Ercol,Heidi Love,Bradley Smith,Digby Chacksfield, Gav Amante, Rob Kurta, Tom Andrews, Remi Marrison. Archant

A group of games designers from Ipswich who took their talents from university and launched their own studios are preparing to launch their game next month.

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Miracle Tea studios has won £10,000 funding from Google to develop its computer game for release. Miracle Tea studios has won £10,000 funding from Google to develop its computer game for release.

Miracle Tea Studios was formed by University of Suffolk graduates Tom Andrews, Bradley Smith, and Gav Amante alongside Cambridge-based graduate Enrico Ercole.

The group came together at the Eastern Enterprise Hub on Ipswich’s Waterfront to take part in the Tranzfuser project – a competition which tasks graduate designers to come up with a game from a £5,000 grant and develop it.

The studios pitched to industry professionals in October last year and secured a further £10,000 grant to continue development.

Having spent the last year perfecting their programme, Miracle Tea headed to the UK’s biggest gaming event, EGX, alongside IndieByte from Suffolk to showcase their completed game, Ruya, to more than 75,000 people.

On November 2, the game will officially be released on Android and iOS.

Tom Andrews said: “This past year has been a challenge for all of us. The game has gone through some remarkable changes, we’ve put in so much passion and it feels very rewarding to see people enjoying the experience.

“It’s been a hectic period balancing full time work with our own development for Ruya, working to the early hours of the morning every night to finish the game, but it’s been worth every second.”

The puzzle game tasks players to match adorable characters in Ruya’s world of dreams.

Joining Miracle Tea Studios was another up-and-coming project from Suffolk, IndieByte, which went to EGX to showcase its prototype.

The Tranzfuser scheme allowed teams at the Eastern Enterprise Hub to work on their game’s development in a dedicated space, as well as speak to mentors and experts for advice.

The tie-up between the hub and the University of Suffolk meant Miracle Tea and future Tranzfuser entries can be given the best support to make their name in the industry.

Heidi Love, games hub learning manager said: “Miracle Tea and IndieByte did brilliantly on the Tranzfuser programme, and I am so pleased Miracle Tea are now in a position to release their game.

“The games sector is one of the fastest growing in the UK and we want to be part of the growth.”