Rules and Eligibility

Want to make sure you are in the best possible place for submitting your game?

Check out some of the commonly asked questions around entry formats and eligibility below:

Entries for the Game Making category are to be submitted in a computer executable file format (preferably .exe) and must have at least one playable level.

The entry must be suitable for children aged under 16 (PEGI 12 rating or less).

All submitted games must also run advert free, and free from any third party-owned brands and logos to allow them to be shown in a family friendly public space.

Whilst every effort should be made to submit an executable file format, other acceptable file formats may include:

Desktop

• Algodoo (.phz)
• Flash (.swf)
• GameMaker (.gmx)
• GameMaker (Please compile and submit as a .exe file)
• HTML5 (Javascript, CSS, html and twine made .html files)
  • If submitting a web game, all the necessary game files should be collected together in a single .zip file
• Java (.java)
• Kodu (.kodu)
  • Kodu games must be playable with a keyboard/mouse
• MissionMaker (.mission)
• Scratch (.sb) (.sb2) (.sb3)

Please note:  if your game is made up of more than one file, then you will need to compress it and create a .zip file to upload.

iOS/Android

• Google Play store – please include the link in your application.
• Android application package (.apk)

Please note:  if you are submitting via Google Play, project builds must not be updated once the competition’s extended deadline has passed. Any build updated after 12 March 2026 whilst judging is still in progress will be disqualified from the competition.

BAFTA is unable to accept games created in the following file formats: 

• .unity3d (if you develop your game using Unity you must submit a .zip file containing the project data and a .exe)
• .webloc
• .blend
• .py (Python games can only be accepted if compiled and submitted as an .exe file)
• .uproject (Unreal Engine)
• .godot

Often game files can be compressed and reduced. There are a number of articles on the web that give advice on this and we would recommend you check out the company website of the software package you are using to create the game, as often they have tips and tricks on how to reduce file size!

You can try the following:

• zip up the folder
• copy the zip file to another computer (e.g. using a USB drive)
• unzip the file and try to run the game
• if it works on the other computer then the zip file should be fine to send.

You can now include a video pitch for Game Concept, Game Making and Game Mentor Entries.

Video uploads happen AFTER you have completed the application form.

Once you have finished submitting, head to your homepage, click on the drop-down menu next to your submitted application, and select ‘Upload a video’.

The video should be an MP4 or QuickTime file.

BAFTA celebrates human creativity and the use of AI is discouraged throughout the Competition. YGD is intended to showcase the individual’s unique visions and talent. You will be credited for using your own work, including Artwork, Assets and Written word – you will not be judged on your ability to draw, more how you use your drawings to communicate your ideas.

If AI is used, you will be expected to declare where is has been used, in what capacity and a short justification. This will allow for it to be evaluated during judging. An example of where it would be acceptable is the use of tools to aid accessibility, such as a grammar tool for someone with dyslexia.

In your Supporting Video you could use AI as part of your initial concepts and mood boards but, for the Concept category consider creating the three submitted pieces yourself.

For Making, there are numerous asset banks available that do not infringe copyright, we still encourage creating your own, but these are not AI so can be used (see T’s&C’s).

Entrants under 18 years of age must submit a consent form signed by their parent or guardian.

Entrants aged 18 do not need to provide a consent form, but we do ask them to provide an alternative contact whom can be used to confirm the applicant’s identity or to speak with during an emergency situation should BAFTA have any concerns over any of the material submitted via the application form.

Please download the Consent form.

The consent form is available on the entry website and competition entries will not be accepted unless correctly accompanied by the required signed consent form.

Where schools are managing pupil entries, a School Consent Form may be submitted on behalf of all pupils entering the competition. Please see form and full terms and conditions.

Please download the School Consent form.

Entrants who reach the final stage of the competition will have their name, town and age published on the BAFTA YGD website, Award Ceremony brochure and made available to the press in an official press release. This is to celebrate achievements and whilst BAFTA will take every precaution to protect a child’s identity.  BAFTA cannot be held responsible for any third party contact.

If you would prefer details not to be published, please contact [email protected] during the submission process. We will also endeavour to contact all finalists before publishing any details in our finalist press announcement.

You retain full copyright of your game. Terms and conditions state:

By submitting an entry for the competition, the entrant’s parent/guardian is deemed to have given consent for the entry to be published free of charge by BAFTA in all media, including television and internet, for all purposes as it wishes.

BAFTA may wish to display entries in a website gallery as they come in throughout the competition entry window.

The winner will be deemed to have agreed that BAFTA may showcase their game online and at Award ceremonies, and share it with third parties for online distribution (subject always to any applicable software licensing terms which may apply to the software package used to create the content). All Finalist games are showcased at our YGD award ceremony and made available to download via our YGD website. For 2024-25 any finalists’ games created in Dreams will have a showcase video on the YGD website but only be playable in Dreams.

All entrants – including the winner – will retain the right to take their game to any studio in order to develop it commercially.

BAFTA will only ever use personal details for the purposes of administering this competition, and will not publish them or provide them to anyone without permission.

BAFTA cannot be held responsible for any third party contact.  If you would prefer details not to be published please contact [email protected] 

Entrant’s personal details will be removed from the BAFTA database after one year.