Oliver Coates

Oliver is an aspiring game developer currently studying game design at the University of Canterbury. He's always been interested in history, but after hearing the stories his father told him of his work on the Clyde dam, Muldoon’s bizarre theatrics, and the radical change under Lange, he became fascinated with the 1980’s. The more Oliver researched this period, the more it amazed and intrigued him, but his friends unfortunately didn’t share my interest in this period of history, and were at best only amused with his "long winded, half mad, rants across many school lunchtimes".

In an attempt to mend the disconnect and ignorance that his generation holds towards even our most recent history Oliver brought together his passion for game design and history to create Turning Point. It’s part video game, part graphic novel and part teaching tool, in which the player takes control of the country through the late 70’s and 80’s, witnessing the immense change and the stories of those who brought it about.