Playing together GameDev vol 1. – Permafrost

On October 24, the first edition of a new event series for students interested in the GameDev industry, “Playing Together…,” took place at Collegium Da Vinci. This new initiative aims to bring the student community together and introduce them to the latest gaming productions.

At the first event, participants had the opportunity to test “Permafrost,” the latest demo from the Polish studio SpaceRocket Games, co-developed by CDV lecturers and students with support from Toplitz Productions.

The event began with a talk by Mikołaj Nowak, one of the creators of “Permafrost” and a lecturer at Collegium Da Vinci. Nowak, who serves as the game’s lead designer and project leader, shared his experiences in designing open worlds for video games. In his presentation, he highlighted the key challenges associated with creating expansive environments that players can freely explore. The topic sparked considerable interest and inspired further discussion.

After the presentation, students were able to test the “Permafrost” demo in both cooperative and solo modes. Over 40 people took part in the gameplay, eagerly exploring the secrets of the game’s icy world. The evening concluded with a discussion, during which participants shared their gameplay impressions and asked questions to the creators.

Through direct interaction with active game developers, students gained a unique insight into the production process and learned how one of the most anticipated Polish survival games of recent months was created.

“Permafrost” is a challenging survival game set in harsh winter conditions. Players must survive the hostile environment by hunting, building shelters, and facing various threats. They are also accompanied by a loyal dog that aids in combat and world exploration. The game offers both solo and cooperative modes, allowing play with up to four friends. The objective is not only to survive but also to uncover the secrets of the world’s story, which, as the developers emphasize, is chilling to the bone.

Several CDV lecturers and students contributed to the production of “Permafrost,” showcasing the university’s commitment to real-world industry projects. The team includes:

• Mikołaj Nowak – Game Designer & Project Lead,
• Witold Studencki – Lead Developer,
• Damian Klabuhn – Game Designer,
• Krzysztof Maliński – Technical & Audio Support,
• Kinga Malińska – 3D Artist,
• Aleksandra Romańczyk – UI/UX Designer,
• Jakub Jóskowiak – Sound Designer,
• Łukasz Śliwka – Design Intern.

Working with such a diverse and talented team has imbued the game with a unique atmosphere and depth, and its debut demo was enthusiastically received by attendees. “Playing Together…” is just the beginning – this series will continue, with each subsequent event focusing on new games and discussions about their development.

We warmly invite you to test “Permafrost” and follow upcoming events organized by Collegium Da Vinci as part of the “Playing Together…” series! The game is available in demo version, with more details available on Steam.