Gaming students shortlisted for national Bafta YGD award

Two teenage gaming students from Cambridge Regional College are in the running for a national Bafta Young Game Designer of the year award – with both their games chosen for a final shortlist.

Ben Saunders, 18, and Bartek Biszkont, 17, who have spent the last year working on the games as part of their course at the college, will be among the guests of honour at a glittering awards ceremony at Bafta’s London HQ next month.

The winner will receive a host of prizes, including a mentor from the games industry to help them develop their skills, tours of leading games studios, and a prototype of their game created by a team of developers. 

The students are also hoping to exhibit their games next year at E3 expo in Los Angeles, the world’s leading gaming show, where CRC regularly exhibits under the banner of its student-run Rizing Games company – the only FE college in the country to do so.

Bartek said he was absolutely delighted when he heard his game, Dungeon Raiders, had been chosen for the finals.

“I was so shocked when I heard and very, very pleased. It’s taken me a year to make the game, which is a PC side scroller game,” he said.

Ben said it was very exciting news.

“My game, Paradox, is a platform game like Mario but the platforms in this game are part of the puzzle, and there are 40 levels. We’re lucky because during the course we have worked with Jagex and I was given some really helpful industry advice on the game,” he said.

Their tutor, Michael Killick, said the whole college was very proud of the students.

“It is a fantastic achievement for both Ben and Bartek to have their games chosen to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award. We’re hugely proud of them – and keeping our fingers crossed for results night.”

The students are shortlisted for one of four awards in the Bafta Young Game Designer competition, the Game Making Award for 15 to18 year olds, with just 10 finalists for each award. The awards ceremony takes place on 8 July. To play the students’ games, click here.