GAMERS will be able to play their way through some of Nottingham's attractions on computer games written by bright young programmers.
Game City is staging its ninth annual festival in the city later this month.
A crack team of youngsters are making adventure games based in caves, historic court rooms and old police stations.
The games will be available for the public to play in the very locations that inspired them after the children's visits.
Eleven-year-old Ding Chang, of Wollaton, is creating an adventure game where players escape from a cave dungeon.
"When you go into each room you make choices," he said. "What looks like the easiest choice might not be." While smashing a lock appears the quickest way through, Ding explained, it might be a better choice to crawl underneath or work out a mathematical code.
Games are reminiscent of the Choose Your Own Adventure books, where reader's decisions create different outcomes.
James Rose, of Woodthorpe, has also tasked players to escape from his caves.
"I've made it like a maze," said the 13-year-old. "You have to spot the clues along the way and use them to make the right choices. I've tried to hide some so the game is a challenge."
Saturday workshops at central library in Angel Row have allowed the kids to polish their programming knowledge and creative writing.
Game City's creative writer Becky Cullen said: "They've been able to create their own worlds and you can explore their imaginations. They have all test played each other's games and it's incredible what they have come up with."
Using a programme called Twine, the kids' games will form part of a retro gaming festival - commissioned by Nottingham Trent University - with classics from the 70s and 80s available to play on October 30.
Game City project co-ordinator Rachel Barrett said five authors will be on site in Carlton Street to interact with gamers through Live Text Adventures, including Dr Who writer James Moran and Ian Cunningham OBE.
"It will be like Choose Your Own Adventure via instant messenger," said Rachel.
"The site specific games will also be a great highlight. The kids' games are so creative. Their imaginations are incredible."
