The Shoot ‘Em Up Construction Kit (SEUCK) competition is back, giving retro gaming fans and aspiring developers the chance to build their own arcade shooters. Hosted by The New Dimension (TND) and run by Richard Bayliss, the 2020 contest began on January 4th and will end on May 31st. Bayliss has organized similar events for over a decade, keeping the creative spirit of SEUCK alive.
What is the Shoot ‘Em Up Construction Kit?
Released in 1987 by Sensible Software and published by Outlaw, the Shoot ‘Em Up Construction Kit gave gamers an accessible way to create arcade-style games. It was available for the Commodore 64, Amiga, and Atari ST.
The kit included a complete engine and tools for designing enemies, backgrounds, weapons, and gameplay without coding. Players praised its simplicity and flexibility, and reviewers gave it positive coverage at launch.
Details of the 2020 TND Competition
The New Dimension’s competition is open to anyone willing to create a game using SEUCK. The TND website offers complete information on the rules, available prizes, and a showcase of past entries.
A standout feature of the site is the SEUCK School tutorial section. It explains how to use the framework step-by-step, covering sprite setup, level design, and gameplay tuning. Beginners can start from scratch, while experienced creators can refine their skills.
Why Enter the Competition?
For retro computing fans, this is an opportunity to publish a fully playable game for a classic platform. For beginners, it’s a straightforward entry point into game design using a proven toolset.
With the deadline approaching, now is the perfect time to finalize your creation. Whether you aim to push SEUCK to its limits or simply create a fun shooter, the event offers a great creative challenge.
