Article written by: UWS Computer Games Development student Christopher Abraham

Staff and students on the BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development programme at University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have introduced a retro games room designed to enhance the student experience, wellbeing and belonging.

In the Computer Games Development programme, students are given the chance to engage with a wide variety of activities as part of their academic journey. One exciting feature that has been introduced recently is the new retro games room, which opened in October 2024. This unique space allows undergraduates to immerse themselves in a nostalgic gaming experience, featuring a vast collection of classic consoles. These include iconic systems such as the GameCube, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 1, and the ZX Spectrum 48K. This games room serves as a bridge between the past and the present of gaming, offering students the opportunity to explore the evolution of video games, providing both educational and recreational experiences.

The retro games room has quickly become a popular destination for students, offering a multifunctional space where they can socialise, relax, and share their passion for gaming. Filled with an array of pop culture memorabilia, the room has created a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere that appeals to all types of students. Whether you are a self-proclaimed nerd, geek, or a student with a deep appreciation for gaming culture, the retro room provides a space to connect with like-minded individuals. Undergraduates have access to the games room on weekdays whenever the campus is open, making it an easily accessible retreat from the pressures of their academic schedules.

Supporting and enhancing the student experience through video games

Beyond just playing games, the retro games room has also fostered a sense of community and creativity among students. The room provides students on the Computer Games Development programme with a safe and communal space that supports inclusivity to share knowledge and experiences relating to gaming or their coursework activities. Recently, students have proposed starting tournaments for popular games such as Smash Brothers, Guitar Hero, and Tekken. Additionally, there have been suggestions for hosting entertainment nights like movie screenings, karaoke events, and tabletop board game nights to further enrich the social experience. The room’s aesthetic, with its stylish lighting and walls adorned with game posters and video game-themed decor, contributes to its inviting environment. Thanks to donations and contributions from both students and lecturers, the collection of consoles and games in the room continues to grow, further enhancing the experience for future generations of computer game development students.

Initial feedback has been well received by students on the programme.

“The retro games room is a great social space for students on the programme to get to know one another, share their passion for video games and have a positive engaging experience studying on our programme,” commented Dr Gavin Baxter, Senior Lecturer in Computer Games Development.

Tom Caddell, Network Support Analyst at UWS, who has played a significant role in organising the layout and setting up the room noted the grassroots approach to the continued development and enhancement of the room via student and staff donations said: “This has been an exciting and rewarding project to be part of. Donations have poured in from staff and students, and members of the wider community. A particularly special contribution came from Bruce McLean of CCL (North), who kindly donated a collection of ZX Spectrum computers. Bruce is an Electronics Engineer who helped work on the design of Sir Clive Sinclair’s ZX Spectrum in the early 1980s”.

Dr Thomas Hainey, Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer in Computer Games Development says: “The room is an excellent initiative towards supporting student wellbeing, belonging, collaboration and community on the Computer Games Development Programme.  It gives the students and staff the space to play games together, appreciate the nuances of computer games and peripheral design and have some fun out with class time. 

“The room also houses several generations of consoles linking to the pedagogical learning outcomes of the programme modules and  allows us to bring the History of Videogames to life in that the students can actually see and play retro games and consoles as well as historical home computers from the History lectures.  As Leader of the Programme, I’m ecstatic to be part of co-creating this playing/learning space and seeing it become a reality to promote community and belonging for our staff and students.  What has been so amazing is the kind donations from staff and students alike – showing that everyone has a vested interested in the room”

For more information about the retro games room and donations, please contact the programme leader, Dr Thomas Hainey – thomas.hainey@uws.ac.uk