MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Recent graduates from the University of Memphis Department of Computer Science are helping put a Memphis-made video game on a national stage.
As part of their senior capstone project, the students worked with local independent game development studio Dapper Duck Software on Molly the Marble, a cozy adventure puzzle game about guiding a marble through levels made of cardboard, paper, and other household objects.
The game has now been selected for The MIX Summer Game Showcase, an indie game event taking place during Summer Game Fest week in Los Angeles, California. Molly the Marble will be on display during The MIX’s onsite showcase at the GRAMMY Museum Rooftop Terrace on June 5, giving players, press, publishers, and industry professionals a chance to play the game in person.
“This project gave students the opportunity to contribute to a real commercial game while it was actively being prepared for public announcement,” said Joel Gerber, President of Dapper Duck Software. “The University of Memphis capstone team brought energy, problem-solving, and technical skill to the project, and it is exciting to see their work become part of a game selected for a major indie showcase in Los Angeles.”
In Molly the Marble, players tilt diorama-like environments to roll Molly through puzzles, secrets, and gentle adventures. Inspired by the feeling of building imaginary worlds out of cardboard boxes and craft supplies, the game blends physics-based puzzle solving with a cozy, accessible design philosophy. The game is being developed for people who need an escape from the stresses of everyday life, as a way to help them find relaxation and reconnect with their childhood imagination.
For the University of Memphis students involved, the capstone project offered hands-on experience with the realities of game development, including collaboration, implementation, iteration, and preparing a project for public visibility.
Molly the Marble is available to wishlist now on Steam.
Players can wishlist Molly the Marble on Steam at: Link
Dapper Duck Software, LLC is an independent game development studio based in the Memphis area. The studio creates imaginative, accessible games with a focus on charm, exploration, and playful design.
###