The Sumo Digital Academy today unveil their new game, Snake Party, which has been developed exclusively for Sheffield Wednesday Football Club to be played during home matches at Hillsborough Stadium.

The game is a first for the football world, and enables young fans from each club to battle it out in the colourful, 3D world of Snake Party – with changeable snake skins depending on the team colours competing. The game will be broadcast live on the big screen in the stadium, for football fans to cheer on their team representative.

A 3D reimagining of the classic Snake game with art style and characters from 2017’s Snake Pass, Snake Party’s primary gameplay sees two players compete in round-based challenges where they have to collect as many orbs as possible to grow their reptilian avatar, and then outrun the competition to be crowned champion.

This joint project is part of Sheffield Wednesday Owls esports programme, which aims to engage young football fans in the world of gaming. Rob Hawden, Business Development Manager at Sheffield Wednesday, said: “We immediately identified synergies with Sumo from our first meeting and are delighted to launch Snake Party, made by students to inspire young people.

“There are now a multitude of potential careers in the industry for young gamers and Sumo are helping make dreams a reality, with Snake Party a brilliant example!”

Jacob Habgood, Director of Education Partnerships at Sumo Digital, said: “Every project the Sumo Academy has had the opportunity to work on has come with its unique challenges and requests, but developing Snake Party has been the most unusual of all.

“I’m thrilled that they have been able to take one of Sumo’s beloved IPs and create a multiplayer, accessible experience that match-goers will be able to enjoy. I’m looking forward to seeing their hard work up on the big screen at Hillsborough Stadium throughout the season!”

Snake Party is the most recent project from the Sumo Digital Academy, which is Sumo Digital’s apprenticeship programme aimed at opening new pathways into the games industry for programmers and technical artists. Earlier this year, the Academy worked with Brighton-based The Chinese Room to create a companion game for the acclaimed narrative horror title, Still Wakes the Deep.

For more information about the Sumo Digital Academy – including how to apply for future cohorts – please visit the Sumo Academy website.

Snake Party will debut on Saturday 14th of September 2024 during Sheffield Wednesday’s match against QPR, and will be available to play during home matches throughout the season.

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