September 2021 – Dr Susannah Emery

Epic Games and UniSA team up for Unreal Academic Partnership

Posted on September 28, 2021October 13, 2025 by Susie

I am super excited to announce that UniSA has been selected by Epic as the first University in Australia to be named as an Unreal Engine Academic Partner! The partnership program ensures that students at UniSA will have access to industry-leading skills development in Unreal Engine.

‘UniSA’s selection (in the program) is a testament to our courses, our teaching staff and the high-quality work of our students,’ Emery said. ‘It means that the courses we teach using Unreal Engine are led by experienced teaching staff and we have facilities and resources to support our students’ future success in this growing and in-demand area. This means UniSA students will be graduating with relevant skills that are in high demand across a variety of industries.’
Games Hub

Unreal Engine is used across games development, film and TV, architecture and simulation industries and skills and I’m looking forward to seeing our partnership grow!

Australian STEM Video Games Challenge Judge

Posted on September 8, 2021October 13, 2025 by Susie

I’m lucky enough to be a judge in the 2021 Australian STEM Video Games Challenge, which means I will get to play lots of games made by some amazingly talented and committed students in years 5-12!

Aimed at students in Years 5-12, the Challenge is aligned with the Australian school curriculum in every state and territory, enabling teachers to implement a fun and practical project in the classroom.
STEM Games Challenge

I’m really looking forward to seeing the great games that students are creating this year and am happy to be a part of this great initiative encouraging our future game developers!

Trains of Thought in Mod. Museum

Posted on September 6, 2021October 13, 2025 by Susie

So excited to announce that one of my game experiments ‘Trains of Thought’ is on display at Mod Museum, Australia’s “leading future-focused museum” as a part of their Up Close exhibition.

You’re on the train when you notice someone special. Ooh baby. Your goal is simple: date this person. However, it might not be that easy to get sparks flying.

Trains of Thought is not the dating simulator it appears to be. Game designer Susannah Emery wanted to explore the pressure we put on each other to fulfil our desires. Whether it’s doing your best to get a lift home from a party or manifesting a date with someone cute on the train, it might not be that easy for us all to get what we want.

This game sits in Susannah’s research area of games for social change. She is currently a Lecturer at UniSA and a PhD Candidate at Curtin University.

Trains of Thought is designed to put you in the shoes of another and encourage you to reflect on who we are as people.

Mercury CX Screenmakers Conference 2021

Posted on September 1, 2021October 13, 2025 by Susie

On September 10, I will be a panellist at the Mercury CX Screenmakers Conference on the panel ‘Level up your story’.

Together with James Marshall, Ken Wong and Ella MacIntyre, I’ll be talking about story and narrative in games and discussing how screen makers can consider and utilise elements of interactivity in their own work.

Games is a multi-billion dollar industry and narrative games are rising in popularity and attracting loyal audiences. So what kinds of narratives work well in games and what do you need to consider in translating your story to a game?
Mercury CX