Computer programmers in the Omaha metro were invited to University of Nebraska at Omaha for the annual Innovation CupOn Tuesday, Apr. 23. Participants were asked to create a game that has a purpose other than entertainment. UNO hosted the teams to present their final products and be voted on by the general public. They determine “who can create the most innovative, creative, and best IT-based solution”. The game must be able to be played on a mobile device.

Westside’s team consisted of seniors Mackenzie Mikkelson, Tyler Kosizek, Ana Turner, and juniors Tyler Siegel and Jonathan Santoya. Mikkelson and Siegel were in charge of programming the game, Turner created the art, Santoya added sound, and Kosizek completed the presentation.

“Throughout the year, we worked well together. Our time management was not the best, but when we neared deadlines, we were able to collaborate effectively,” Siegel said.

The game that they created covered the issue of deforestation. The player (a squirrel) runs through a forest while trying to dodge and destroy deforestation robots. If the squirrel is killed, the game ends and the player is reinforced with statistics from their run, as well as facts about the trees that were planted and deforestation in general.

“When you’re making a game, there’s never an end. There’s always something else you can add. I always wish we had more time to do something extra in our game, but I’m proud of where it ended up by the deadline,” Siegel said.

Westside placed 3rd out of 6 teams at the competition, winning an award of $250 to be split amongst the teammates.