Ollie the Brave's Game

by Hayley Sugg



Games aren't something one would normally associate with a thriving career. The Game Study and Design program at the University of Montevallo wants to change that though.

The GSD program is a minor that focuses on the history, creation, and testing of games. These range from classic board games to the latest and greatest of video games. Students are taught the origins of games, how to create their own games, and how to go about creating a career in the gaming field.

One student who took the program's advice to heart is Garrett Roth, an English major. Roth never expected to be making games as a profession. "I'd always wanted to make games, but that was kind of a tertiary thing for me," he said, "Like I was just going to do that as a hobby. That all changed when Amy George, a GSD student, convinced Roth to join the minor.

Garrett Roth and Amy George playtesting Ollie's Game

Soon after, the duo began working on an important game at the request of University's President Dr. John Stewart.

A faculty member, Dr. Meredith Tetloff, had a son, John Oliver (also known as Ollie), who was fighting cancer and enjoyed games. Dr. Stewart asked the GSD program to create him something to help his hospital stays a little better.

"We did a sumer dedicated to creating Ollie's Game, just for him," said Dr. Cathlena Martin, assistant professor of Game Study and Design. The game was made to be quick, cooperative, and small enough to fit on a hospital tray.          

With the guidance of Dr. Martin, Roth and George worked throughout a summer semester to complete a card game for Ollie, who was now being called "Ollie the Brave" because of his positive attitude throughout the ordeal. The game focused on two of Ollie's passions, deep sea and space, and featured art by George that was bright and playful.

Although the team was nearing completion of Ollie's Game, it wasn't finished fast enough. John Oliver Tetloff passed away in July 2014 at the age of 7.

John Oliver "Ollie" Tetloff during a hospital visit

George and Roth are now in talks with a gaming company interested in producing a mass market version of their game.

The company in question wants to keep Ollie's Game's origin story alive. They also plan to donate a percentage of the sales to cancer research charities.

The Game Study and Design program plans to continue to grow, and hopes to have a major option in the future. They currently use Ollie's Game as an example of successfully implemented game design.