Two talented students from the East of England have earned recognition in the esteemed BAFTA Young Game Designers (YGD) competition. Daniel Tachauer, hailing from Essex, and Ruby, based in Suffolk, are among 52 young individuals aged 10 to 18 selected by industry experts. The YGD initiative aims to inspire and showcase aspiring game creators who develop innovative gaming concepts. The winners will be announced via a live-stream on BAFTA's YouTube channel on June 18th.
Daniel, a 14-year-old finalist in the Game Making category for ages 10-14, crafted an astronomy-themed puzzle game called Planet Drop. In this game, players combine falling planets akin to the classic gameplay style of Tetris. Leveraging online tutorials, Daniel has independently honed his game development skills over the past two years. He expressed that modern tools make game creation more accessible than ever before, emphasizing the abundance of resources available today compared to decades ago.
Ruby, an 18-year-old nominee in the 15-18 age bracket, contributed her unique game titled Through The Darkness. This auditory-driven experience requires players to navigate mazes solely by following musical cues in complete darkness. Ruby hopes her design raises awareness about the challenges faced by visually impaired gamers. Winning this award would hold immense personal significance for her, as it aligns with her aspirations of pursuing a career in game development.
The BAFTA awards encompass two main categories: Game Concept Award for written proposals and Game Making Award for software-created games. Each category features divisions for younger and older participants. Industry professionals judge entries based on creative depth and technical execution. Luke Hebblethwaite, head of games at BAFTA, praised the submissions, highlighting the UK’s thriving £7 billion gaming sector contributing significantly to the global market.
This year's nominees reflect the growing interest and capability of young creators in shaping the future of interactive entertainment. Their achievements underscore the potential impact of nurturing creativity and providing access to cutting-edge technology in education.