Developing ‘Rigo’s Big Night’ – a video game focusing on making informed decisions on risk-taking behaviours

Hi, I am Rodrigo Mercado, a software engineering student at Napier University. I have recently worked in partnership with Fast Forward and the West Lothian Skills Training to develop a video game – ‘Rigo’s Big Night Out’.

One of my modules at the University was a Professional Internship that involved working with Fast Forward for 180 hours. Work-based learning has many benefits for students. It allows them to consolidate many of the techniques, skills and practices taught and to relate theoretical concepts to practical situations. I had to apply for a professional internship, as I would for a real job, and present a cover letter and CV to my preferred company from a range of options.

What did I do?

After my initial meeting with Fast Forward, it was exciting to hear about the possibility of working with a group of young people from my local area (West Lothian) that were involved with the West Lothian Skills Training Programme. After meeting with the group, we agreed to help them develop a video game that centred risk-taking behaviours.

In developing the game, my main focus was to work with young people to produce a creative resource that would share the group’s own lived experiences. We wanted to do this in a way that would help to positively influence other young people’s decision-making processes on risk-taking behaviours. As a result, we were able to create a simple video game called ‘Rigo’s Big Night Out’ that helps to explore the decisions, choices and potential consequences that young people could be faced with when on a night out with their friends.

Why did I do it?

On a basic level, I wanted to work with Fast Forward because I know that the work that they do with young people is fun, inspirational and thought-provoking. The idea of helping young people to develop a resource that they could be proud and that could also be used to effectively engage with other young people was really exciting.

What did I get out of it?

Firstly, I have gained important technical and lived experience related to my degree. Beyond that, I’ve also contributed to making a difference by creating a video game that raises awareness of what influences the choices that young people make about risk-behaviours. It feels good to know that I have made a positive impact on the young people that helped create the game and the other young people that will go on to play it.

Want to know more?

The ‘Rigo’s Big Night Out’ game is available to play on the Peer Inspiration Projects Scotland (PIPS) website: https://pips.scot/pips-projects/

To find out more about how Fast Forward can help you and the young people you support to develop exciting creative resources that centre around risk-taking behaviours, contact our Going Forward team:

Donald Lockhart: donald@fastforward.org.uk

Laura Alexander: laura@fastforward.org.uk