Shanke is a jousting game for two people to get physical, with physics! The enjoyment in the game comes from its deceptive appearance of simplicity. The game can be picked up and played by anyone at any age. Players essentially just aim their character at the other and knock them off their ride.

Each character has a different class based on weight, to give the physics more of an emphasis. There are two sides, one comprised of friendly humans and animal hybrids, and one comprised of a darker, angrier bunch. Each team has a distinct color palette and graphics.

Creating an Award-Winning Video Game
A group of five students from The Art Institute of Phoenix created Shanke as an entry into The Art Institutes Student Design Competition, which challenged Art Institutes students to create a concept for a video game to played and distributed at The Art Institutes booth at SIGGRAPH 2007, August 7-9, 2007 in San Diego, CA. As their grand prize, the students' video game and an accompanying t-shirt design will be distributed to visitors at The Art Institutes SIGGRAPH 2007 booth #1215. The students also received all-expense-paid trips to attend the convention and show off their game. The team of judges praised the innovative game for its graffiti-style inspired art and fresh approach to the use of color. Shawn White, one of the student designers is in the Visual & Game Programming program at The Art Institute of Phoenix, commented on the graphic look of the game "We drew inspiration from Japanese pattern design and traditional British heraldic symbology, the results are more than you'd expect from a jousting simulator." Their Academic Director, James Haldy stated "The competition provides the students a comprehensive design challenge from identifying a game concept to producing a finished package product."

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Shanke is designed to use Xbox 360 Controllers, which are familiar, fun, and easy for anyone to use. One analog stick controls the lance while the other controls movement of the horse. The innovative environment, character designs and unique color palette make it fun to watch and play.

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	Pat Bergschneider patb.com Education: Pat received a bachelor's degree in Game Art & Design from The Art Institute of Phoenix in March of 2008. Having grown up in Kingston, Pat spends his time trying to get back to his roots from the dirty. His biggest influence in games is Jane Pinkard.
	Ben Braman benbraman.com Education: Ben received a bachelor's degree in Game Art & Design from The Art Institute of Phoenix in March of 2008. Ben Braman was delivered via Zeppelin to two Orc Parents in the valley of West Jordan, Utah. He was given the power of art from a druid and was given the task to slay mediocrity in the Game Industry. He moved into the Noise Spire of Phoenix to attain the magical powers needed for the aforementioned tasks.  Ben loves the following things: making music on his lute, wearing multicolored headbands, and collecting beards.
	Richard Matey rmatey.com Education: Richard is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Game Art & Design at The Art Institute of Phoenix. Richard Matey has a shine for games. Hailing originally from his home kingdom of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Richard went on a quest for an adventure. His nomadic journey has now brought him to the land of the Phoenix. To pursue his dreams he joined the Guild of The Art Institutes schools. Now the true journey will begin! Wielding his sword of hope he will do battle with goblins and haters.
	Dan Pratt prattatatat.com Education: Dan received a bachelor's degree in Game Art & Design from The Art Institute of Phoenix in September of 2007. There's a lot under the hood of Dan Pratt. He does art, raps and keeps it really real… ya dig? After finishing High School on Long Island, NY he decided to follow his dreams and pursue a place in the Game Industry. His dreams brought him across the country to Arizona where he now works hard and keeps it crunk. To the point, that's how he likes it. In his free time Dan likes to ponder the meaning of life, tear it up in wii sports and kick it with his very best of friends.
	Shawn White capnrat.com Education: Shawn received a bachelor's degree in Visual & Game Programming from The Art Institute of Phoenix in June of 2008. Shawn has lived all over the States. He often calls Independence, Missouri his hometown though. Freshman year of high school Shawn started to teach himself how to program as a hobby. Soon he found that he loved his hobby so much that he wanted to make a career out of it. He is now a Graphics Programmer for Flashbang Studios, LLC.
	Steve Swink steveswink.com Instructor, The Art Institute of Phoenix Swink lent his expertise in advising the Shanke team on their quest for gamovation.

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