Young Game Designers

UK residents (including residents of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man)  aged 10 – 18 years old during the school year that began 2 September 2024 (19 August 2024 in Scotland).

Entrant Criteria:

• Must be resident in the UK.
• If under the age of 16 must have at least one parent or legal guardian resident in the UK.
• Must not be closely related to a BAFTA staff member.

Entering as a team:

Entrants can apply as an individual, in a pair, or in a team of three, but only one entry per individual per category can be submitted. I.e. if you are entering as part of one pair or a team, you cannot enter as part of another one.

If entering as part of a team, all members must be in the same age bracket (10-14yrs or 15-18yrs).

Teams and individuals can enter both Game Making and Game Concept Categories, but they must enter with different game ideas. You cannot enter both categories with the same game.

Please note: BAFTA reserves the right to request proof of age for entrants as well as parent’s or guardian’s consent and necessary state of health.

All applications must be done via the online submission form. The deadline for the current competition is 17:00 on Wednesday 12 March 2025.

You can enter both the Game Making and Game Concept categories, but you must enter both separately using a different Game idea.

Up to three people can enter as part of a team. You can apply as an individual, in a pair, or in a team of three, but only one entry per individual per category can be submitted. This means if you are entering as part of one pair or a team, you cannot enter as part of another one.

If entering as part of a team all members must be in the same age bracket (10-14yrs or 15-18yrs)

Teams and individuals can enter both Game Making and Game Concept Categories, but they must enter with different game ideas (you cannot enter both categories with the same game).

All entries are assessed by industry experts. 

Entries for the Game Concept award will be judged on gameplay design, creativity and suitability for chosen games platform.

Entries for the Game Making award must have at least one playable level and will be judged on game build, gameplay experience, creativity and suitability for chosen platform.

For further Entry Requirements please refer to our Terms & Conditions.

Great! We have a collection of resources including session activities and worksheets available to support those entering the competition. Our worksheets are also suitable for entrants to enter them as part of their ‘supporting materials’.

There are also separate Teacher Resources that include a classroom poster, letter to parents and information about teacher workshops.  You can request an idea generator card pack from [email protected]

This means you’ve made it into the top ten games in your category! Amazing! Someone from our team will be in touch and let you know all the details you need to know about participation in the virtual Ceremony, prizes etc.

Telephone calls will be made to the short listed entrants and their parent/guardian in order to check eligibility. Telephone calls may be recorded for reference purposes.

Participants may be requested to provide proof of age before being allowed to proceed with the competition.

If an entrant is unable to be contacted after reasonable attempts have been made to do so, BAFTA reserves right to offer their place to the next best entrant. Unsuccessful entrants will receive an automatic notification after judging is completed.

Winners and shortlisted entrants will be expected to take part in post-competition publicity for BAFTA.