Game on! Leon is BAFTA Young Game Designer finalist
A 14-YEAR-OLD game designer is looking to 'level up' to a win – after being revealed as a finalist in BAFTA Young Game Designers competition for a third time.
Leon Dudhill is one of just 11 students from Yorkshire and The Humber announced as a finalist in the national contest which will see 51 talented finalists aged between ten and 18 battle it out.
The teen from Bolton-on-Dearne – who is a student at UTC OLP – is a finalist in the Game Making 10-14 years old category with his game Crushendo.
The game is described by the BAFTA team as “a fast-paced 2D vertical platformer where you guide a character climbing upward as it automatically jumps in time with your favourite songs using real-time beat detection.
“Meanwhile crushing walls surge from below, transforming every track into a high pressure rhythmic escape challenge.”
Now in its 16th year, BAFTA Young Game Designers supports children and young people passionate about games by providing them with hands-on experience and creating accessible pathways into industry careers.
The judging panels who selected this year’s finalists out of hundreds of entries represent some of the world’s most successful games companies, including IO Interactive (007 First Light) and TT Games (LEGO® Batman™: Legacy of The Dark Knight).
Leon said: “I have been into games since I was about five-years-old and playing things like Mario Kart and as I got older I became interested in making games.
“My game is a 2D platformer where you jump automatically to the beat of this song.
“So far it's only a small demo with one song but I am planning on expanding it.
“I have a book that I keep my ideas in as it's good to keep being creative and be inspired by the things around you.
“I have been a finalist before for the last two years which was really good and my friends and family are all very proud of me.
“My computing teachers are also proud of me and they all hope I'm going to win this time, too.”
Mum Sarah said: “Leon's dad, sister and I know he's very good at game design but you don't necessarily expect your child to be a finalist this many times – it's a really nice feeling for Leon and all of us.”
Tara Saunders, chair of the BAFTA Games Committee said: “It’s always wonderful to support the next generation of creatives through BAFTA Young Game Designers.
“These extremely talented young people are going to continue to be the names to watch in the future.”
The winners ceremony will be streamed live on BAFTA’s YouTube channel, on Thursday, June 18 at 5pm, with broadcaster Jules Hardy hosting.
The winning games will also be displayed at the Science Museum’s Power Up experience, while all of this year’s finalists will have their games featured at the Young BAFTA Showcase weekend hosted at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly from June 27-28.