Three alternative-controller games developed by students in the Division of Games at the University of Utah have been selected as finalists for the Alt Control competition at the 2026 Game Developers Conference (GDC), one of the game industry’s most influential global events.

The finalist projects—Pivot, Akushukai!, and Udon Uncaged—were created by graduate students as part of the Division’s ongoing emphasis on experimental and embodied play. Developed within coursework focused on alternative controllers, each game explores unconventional physical interfaces that challenge standard assumptions about how players interact with games.

“This kind of recognition speaks directly to the creativity and ambition of our students,” said Ryan Bown, Director of the Master’s in Entertainment Arts and Engineering program. “Alt controller projects invite students to rethink games as physical, social, and performative experiences. Having three projects selected as finalists at GDC is an extraordinary validation of their willingness to experiment and take risks.”

Selection for the Alt Control competition places these projects among a small and highly competitive group showcased to an international audience of developers, researchers, and industry leaders. Together, Pivot, Akushukai!, and Udon Uncaged highlight the Division of Games’ commitment to hands-on learning, experimental design, and pushing the boundaries of what games can be.