NextGen student shortlisted for BAFTA game design award

A Sunderland College Animation, Games and VFX (NextGen) student has been officially shortlisted for a BAFTA Young Game Designer Award.

Lily Roadley is a finalist in the Game Concept Award category for Too Much Truffle, a game which sees a small mushroom called Violetha use her magical powers to overcome puzzles, traps and enemies and return to her forest home.

The 18-year-old, who is Sunderland College’s first female finalist in the Young Game Designer Award, said: “Being nominated for a BAFTA- even a one for young people- is an astounding honour. Knowing that my artwork and story was good enough for something as big as an award as this is mind-blowing! When I initially made the idea for Too Much Truffle, I didn’t even do it for BAFTA- I did it in my own time, so the project was something that meant a lot to me. The character I made, Violetha, was a concept I had in mind for a long time so seeing it be brought to life through art was really fun. The first time I started the concept of this idea was because of my college course – L3 NextGen Games, Animation and VFX. We had to make an idea for a game we would be creating for our final project in the second year- and while my idea didn’t get picked, I still kept working on it in my own time. Then, I heard the BAFTA YGD was happening, I had applied last year but had gotten no further, so this year I didn’t plan on trying to apply again, but my tutor, Chris Jeffrey, really pushed me to apply, and because of that I got the nomination.”

Young Game Designers is an initiative by BAFTA that inspires and supports young people to create, develop and present their new game idea to the world. Sunderland College has enjoyed a lot of success in the awards, with Lily being the seventh student to be shortlisted.

Chris Jeffrey, Lecturer and Programme Leader for Next Gen, Computing & Digital said: “Lily is a real hard-working student who is extremely passionate about games. It’s great to see her entry go be named as a finalist.

“BAFTA Young Games Designer is a fantastic opportunity for students as to showcase their creative and technical talents on an industry-wide stage.

“Over the years I have had the privilege of mentoring students in the competition, and it is a major part of our NextGen programme. To see our students’ hard work pay off and be recognised as finalists – and even winners – is so rewarding.

He added: “BAFTA Young Games Designer is a once-in-a-lifetime experience which inspires the next generation of our industry’s finest designers and developers which is something we should all celebrate.”

Lily and Chris will be travelling to London on 1st July for the BAFTAs Showcase which will celebrate all the finalists and feature their work.  Lily got to present her game to both the public and industry at BAFTA 195 Picadilly.