From the Top End to the gaming world: CDU Alumni’s ‘Hex Bound’ receives national recognition

The Northern Territory’s (NT) burgeoning gaming scene has received a major boost, with two young alumni from Charles Darwin University (CDU) awarded a total $40,000 in Screen Australia and Screen Territory funding to bring their game Hex Bound to life.

The brainchild of CDU Bachelor of Arts (Honours) graduate Skye Lavelle and CDU Bachelor of Computer Science graduate Declan Smyth, the story-driven puzzle platformer was selected as one of 23 games nationwide to receive funding from Screen Australia, as part of the agency’s most recent announcement.

The funding is part of a Federal Government initiative to nurture Australian talent and increase the country’s presence in the multi-billion-dollar global gaming industry.

Since graduating in 2023, 24-year-old Miss Lavelle has been actively building her career in the digital arts, contributing to award-winning gaming projects like Diets and Deities which took home Best Music at the 2024 Australian Game Developers Awards.

In Hex Bound, Miss Lavelle takes on the role of Creative Director, with Mr Smyth the project’s Technical Lead, Programmer and Producer. 

“Declan and I have known each other since high school and have been working on games since 2021 - we’ve always shared a passion for storytelling and design,” Miss Lavelle said.

“Declan recently overcame cancer, and that’s been a really important, powerful experience for both of us. I also wanted to share my own story - being biracial, half Australian and half Chinese Timorese.”

Built around themes of belonging, illness, and overcoming adversity, the game is currently in pre-production, with the grant funding enabling the Darwin-based creatives to take their project to the next level.

"This funding is incredibly valuable to us up here in the NT where games funding has been scarce for many years," Mr Smyth said. 

"It will allow us to take Hex Bound through a large amount of the pre-production process, resulting in a playable prototype we can use to pitch for larger production grants."

Miss Lavelle said the grant also provided flexibility to bring in other local creative talent. 

“It will help sustain us while we freelance part-time, and it gives us the chance to work with musicians, audio experts, and mentors,” she said.

A passionate advocate for inclusive storytelling, Miss Lavelle hopes her journey will inspire others - especially underrepresented creators in remote areas - to pursue game development.

“Video games are one of the most powerful storytelling mediums - they combine art, music, narrative, and emotion in a really unique way. I love it so much,” she said.

For those looking to pursue a career in the digital arts, CDU offers a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Screen Media Arts) with the degree course available in-person and online. 

The innovative and comprehensive contemporary arts program introduces essential knowledge of screen culture and skills in storytelling, cinematography, editing, and visual and audio communications. 

For more information, and to apply, visit https://www.cdu.edu.au/study/course/bachelor-creative-arts-wcart2.