BAFTA - ‘BAFTA’s prestigious Young Game Designers award’ – The Sunday Times
- ‘The BAFTA Young Game Designers competition is such a useful mechanism to allow young people to explore careers and games and have the work looked at by industry professionals’ – BBC Radio Scotland
- ‘BAFTA’s search for Britain’s top UK gaming talent’ – Yorkshire Post
- ‘Young video gamers are incorporating the big issues that matter to them into game designs, in the hope their concepts will become a reality’ – BBC South
- LINK TO IMAGES HERE
BAFTA has today announced the four winners of this year’s BAFTA Young Game Designers (YGD) competition, which took place as a special digital ceremony hosted by actor, comedian and presenter Inel Tomlinson.
The categories in the competition were split into four with Games Concept (10-14 years old and 15-18 years old) and Game Making (10-14 years old and 15-18 years old).
The Game Concept Category (10-14 years old) was won by Jasmine Guan (13) from Walkergate, Newcastle for her game entitled ‘Tiled in Twilight’, made for puzzlers and nonogram puzzlers. Jasmine was the youngest winner at the ceremony and describes her game as “A pretty pixelated picross puzzle game where you illuminate the past.”
The Game Making Category (10-14 years old) was won by Alfie Wilkinson (14) for his game ‘Egglien’, Alfie is from Portsmouth and was inspired to enter after meeting a previous finalist. In the game, the player uses alien eggs to fight their foes.
The Game Concept Category (15-18 years old) was won by Jaime WIlliams (18) from Dundee for her game ‘Carrier Pigeon: World Tour’, an arcade game about exploration, community, and delivering mail. Jaime was a previous finalist in 2017 before winning this year.
The Game Making Category (15-18 year olds) was won by Andrew Ah-Weng (15) for his game ‘Space Boids’ a game set in space where the player controls a flock of boids to fight waves of enemies. Andrew is based in London and previously won the 10-14 category last year.
Kevin Price, Interim Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “Once again we were blown away by the level of creativity and passion embodied in our four winning games this year. BAFTA Young Game Designers will continue to support the next generation of game-creators, and we are delighted that this offers young people across the UK the chance to pursue their passion at such an early stage. Congratulations to all. Bring on next year's entries.”
BAFTA YGD host Inel Tomlinson said: "Congrats to our four fantastic winners! We were so impressed by the skill and creativity displayed by our 54 finalists across the UK. BAFTA YGD is a great way for young people to explore the craft of game design and judging by the standard of entries, Britain has a bright future!”
The winning games will be featured in the prestigious Power UP exhibition at Science and Industry Museum in Manchester. The winners and all the finalists will also have access to a range of masterclasses and mentorship from gaming industry professionals, as part of BAFTA’s ongoing commitment to accessible pathways into games.
The BAFTA YGD ceremony was streamed on BAFTA’s Kids & Teens YouTube channel. Highlights and clips from the show are available to watch on Twitter (@BAFTAGames) and LinkedIn.
Official Partners to BAFTA Young Game Designers include: Creative Assembly, Criterion Games, Epic Games, PlayStation, Tencent Games, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Games and Wizards of the Coast. Further information can be found here.
#BAFTAYGD
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Notes to editors:
BAFTA YGD Ceremony images HERE
Games’ summaries, images and finalist headshots HERE
Footage available for press
The full programme will be made available and can be taken as off-air from approx. 18:30BST, following completion of the full broadcast online. Alternatively, please contact WDW Entertainment for clips.
PROGRAMME RESTRICTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS APPLY TO USING EXCERPTS OF THE BAFTA YOUNG GAME DESIGNERS AWARDS 2022 LIVE STREAM
Broadcasters/news wires/online content providers must use the on-screen credit ‘BAFTA Young Game Designers Awards 2022’
No use of excerpt(s) until after transmission on BAFTA channels, commencing at 17:00 BST, Thursday 30 June 2022
Broadcasters/news wires/online content providers may use up to TWO (2) minutes under news access restrictions within the period ending 00:00 BST on Friday 8 July 2022
The material may be used only for news reporting purposes directly related to the awards ceremony as an event. Broadcasters do not have the right to use the content for special programming
No library access. No resale
Requests for extensions to the news access window may be emailed to Joe Okell at [email protected]
For further information, to receive the winners’ press release or interview requests, please contact WDW Entertainment:
Francesca Duke | [email protected] | +447805465252
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Sandhya Kimberley-Lachman | [email protected] | +447789917566
About BAFTA
BAFTA – the British Academy of Film and Television Arts - is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For more, visit www.bafta.org. BAFTA is a registered charity (no. 216726).
About BAFTA YGD & GAMES
Throughout the year, BAFTA organises events and initiatives around the world to promote the art and craft of games, while helping practitioners grow their network and industry profile; develop cross-sector skills; and establish sustainable careers. The programme includes developer talks, showcases and networking opportunities, both in person and virtually. BAFTA supports the next generation of talent with initiatives such as BAFTA Young Game Designers (YGD), which gives young people and educators insights into the industry and access to the brightest creative minds in games. Our new tier of BAFTA membership for emerging talent, BAFTA Connect, is part of BAFTA's ongoing commitment to supporting future creative leaders in the games industry as an accessible, inclusive community that allows participants to achieve their full potential.
Previous winners include revered game developer, Dan Pearce, winner of the first ever BAFTA YGD competition in 2010. Dan has since gone on to receive a BAFTA Games Award Debut Game nomination in 2014 for his game, Castles in the Sky. Emily Mitchell was a 2017 winner for her debut game Fractured Minds, and has subsequently released the game commercially, winning last year’s prestigious MCV / DEVELOP Award. Similarly, Spruce Campbell (2017 winner) has self-published his game on the App Store. Previous winners have also showcased their creations at EGX Rezzed, London’s largest games event, including 2016 winner Daniel Smith whose game was picked up by Ripstone Games.
About The Science Museum Group and Power UP
The Science Museum Group is the world’s leading group of science museums, welcoming over five million visitors each year to five sites: the Science Museum in London; the National Railway Museum in York; the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester; the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford; and Locomotion in Shildon. Power UP is a hands-on, fully interactive gaming experience featuring the very best video games and consoles from the past five decades. From Pong to Pacman and Minecraft to Mario, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a retro games fan, a serious gamer or just want to beat your family at Mario Kart. Power UP’s original run at the Science Museum (2 – 19 April) completely sold out, so due to popular demand it was extended until 6 June. More information can be found www.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk. The Science Museum Group and BAFTA look forward to developing their relationship over the coming years.
About Inel Tomlinson
The multi-award nominated Inel Tomlinson exudes magnetic charm, charisma and talent that instantly demands your attention whether on TV, stage or in video game form. Coupled with an electric smile and the world's loudest laugh, it's hard not to fall for his exuberant personality, which radiates throughout his extensive body of work.
As a comedian, his attention-grabbing style always demands the audience's attention from the get-go. He skillfully guides us through his unique takes on the world, mixing beautifully delivered nostalgic musings with his eye for the ridiculous.
Inel is also a hugely gifted actor and improviser, with an extensive list of TV, animation and video game credits, including Horrible Histories on BBC, Love Island's Lloyd the Lovebird, and a plethora of video games from EA's Grid Legends to The Solitaire Conspiracy.
As a presenter and qualified teacher, Inel has also produced various drama and comedy workshops for young adults over the years. Inspiring many to find their voice within the arts. As well as hosting numerous panels for BAFTA's Children's activities and presenting shows for CBBC, Junior Vets on Call and All Over The Place, to name a few.
