A group of games designers in Ipswich have been given a £10,000 grant in a prestigious national competition which will allow them to release their game application.

Ipswich Star: 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. (Image: Archant)

Miracle Tea Studios was formed by University Campus Suffolk (now University of Suffolk) graduates Tom Andrews, 23, Bradley Smith, 23, and Gav Amante, 25, alongside Cambridge-based graduate Enrico Ercole, 26.

The quartet came together at the Eastern Enterprise Hub to take part in the Tranzfuser project, which tasks graduate games designers with crafting a game from an initial £5,000 grant, before developing their game and pitching to industry professionals.

And, after successfully progressing through the initial round in Birmingham, Miracle Tea Studios won a £10,000 grant in the final at Edinburgh – which will allow the group to release the game next year.

“I was pretty excited – I was watching my emails constantly all day,” said Tom.

“I saw one from the UK Games Fund, read the first line and it said congratulations so I knew it was good news.”

The studio was set up in the middle of June for the initial 10-week deadline, in which the four developed RUYA – a colourful puzzle game inspired by Candy Crush Saga and Tetris.

And, being based at the Eastern Enterprise Hub, the group was able to take advantage of guidance from university tutors and all the technology in place in a supportive environment.

“The lecturers here were giving advice that helped us look at the thing completely differently, and there were always messages back and forth,” said Bradley.

Now, the talented developers have been able to turn Miracle Tea into a fully-fledged company as they continue developing the game, which they are aiming to complete in the next five months before it hits the market.

Rob Kurta, course leader for computer games design at the University of Suffolk, said: “The games team at the University of Suffolk are very proud of the recognition our graduates have gained from the UK Games Fund. This is a major success story for indie game development in Ipswich and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the development team. We wish them every success in the project.”