Tag Archives: BAFTA

Train2Game News British Academy Games Awards 2016

Posted on by

image

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has today announced the call for entries for the British Academy Games Awards in 2016. The prestigious annual ceremony recognises and rewards the very best in games of the past year.

The 18 categories of the Awards encompass every element of games and highlight the accomplishments of the games industry over the past 12 months. Any game released in the UK is eligible to enter multiple categories within the Awards, a full list of which can be found on the BAFTA website, http://www.bafta.org/games/awards

Ensuring entry to the Awards remains accessible to all, developers and publishers may submit one free entry in the month of the game’s UK release. Games must have a release date between 1 January and 31 December 2015. The entry deadline is 9 December 2015.

Kelly Smith, Head of Television and Games at BAFTA, said: “This year’s British Academy Games Awards, held in March, was a great success. We broadened our categories to include Original Property and Persistent Game and we saw a broader range of winners than ever before. We are committed to celebrating the diversity and creativity of games as an art form, and we are proud to reflect such an innovative and fast-paced industry at our annual Awards. We look forward to the ceremony in 2016.”

The British Academy Games Awards will again be held at Tobacco Dock in 2016 where industry guests will enjoy a number of changes to the format of the evening, including the return to a more formal, sit-down dinner. Information on tickets will be announced at a later date.

For further information on the Awards and its rules and guidelines, visit http://awards.bafta.org/entry. Entries can be submitted here: https://entry.bafta.org

Train2Game News BAFTA seeks Breakthrough Brits

Posted on by

image

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has opened applications for BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry. This annual initiative celebrates and supports the UK’s future stars of film, television and games.

To mark this year’s launch, BAFTA and Oscar-nominated director Christopher Nolan spoke to previous Breakthrough Brits and other BAFTA-supported new talent at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly. During the event Nolan discussed his own breakthrough moments, and gave insights into his creative process.

Applications are open at http://bit.ly/Breakthrough-Brits  until midday on Wednesday 27 May. A panel of film, television and games professionals will select up to 20 Breakthrough Brits for 2015, who will each receive a bespoke programme of career development support, including mentoring, guidance sessions and networking opportunities, as well as non-voting membership of BAFTA for a year. The selected Breakthrough Brits will be revealed at a reception at the Burberry global flagship, 121 Regent Street, later this year.

‘Friends of BAFTA Breakthrough Brits’, supporters of the initiative, include director Paul Greengrass, actors Douglas Booth, Blake Harrison, Miranda Hart, Toby Jones, Simon Pegg, and Sheridan Smith, presenters Edith Bowman and Emma Freud, and games industry entrepreneurs Ian Livingstone CBE and Fiona Sperry.

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “I am absolutely thrilled by the success of Breakthrough Brits and delighted that, for the third year running, we are partnering with Burberry who share our vision to celebrate emerging British talent. Our ambitions for Breakthrough Brits continue to grow and tonight’s inspirational event with BAFTA-nominated director Christopher Nolan is a brilliant way to launch our search for the Breakthrough Brits of 2015. The calibre of the professionals the Breakthrough Brits meet through the development programme, and the generosity of their support, are what makes this initiative really special.”

Since the launch of the initiative in 2013, three Breakthrough Brits have become BAFTA winners: games producer Daniel Gray and game designer Rex Crowle (as part of the development teams for Monument Valley and Tearaway respectively), and writer Dominic Mitchell (In The Flesh). Two other 2014 honourees, writer Chris Lunt and producer Marc Williamson, are nominated in the Breakthrough Talent category at the British Academy Television Craft Awards, which takes place on Sunday 26 April.

Over the last year, BAFTA has arranged for past Breakthrough Brits to meet industry professionals who can help them develop their career.  Recently producer/directors Mike Brett and Steve Jamison met director Danny Boyle and producer Christian Colson on the set of their latest film Steve Jobs. Describing their experience as Breakthrough Brits, Brett and Jamison said: “The word ‘BAFTA’ instantly changes people’s perception of your [professional] pedigree, and also of your future ambitions. That seal of approval has not only allowed us to cement relationships with filmmakers we already knew, but also to forge new connections with people we might otherwise not have been able to meet. To be recognised for having taken that daunting and rewarding first step is one thing, but to be supported as you attempt your subsequent, more ambitious steps is absolutely invaluable.”

Individuals can apply to be a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit at http://bit.ly/Breakthrough-Brits. Industry professionals can nominate someone by contacting breakthrough@bafta.org ; BAFTA will then contact the nominated individual to invite them to submit an application before the Wednesday 27 May deadline.

Proposed candidates for BAFTA Breakthrough Brits must be UK nationals at the start of their career who are making a name for themselves as a performer or in a craft specialism within film, television or games, and have a credit on at least one production with a theatrical release, broadcast or publication in the UK between August 2014 and August 2015. For the full entry criteria go to: http://bit.ly/Breakthrough-Brits.

Train2Game News BAFTA Award Winners 2015

Posted on by

image

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced the winners of yesterdays British Academy Games Awards, which celebrated the very best in games of the past year. The ceremony was hosted by Rufus Hound at Tobacco Dock, London E1, where presenters included Rob Beckett, Alex Brooker, Linford Christie OBE, Dynamo, Ian Livingstone CBE, Tim Schafer, Chet Faliszek.

Destiny – the online first-person shooter in which players work together to protect the last safe city on Earth from aliens – won Best Game. This is the fourth win for US games studio Bungie, whose previous wins have all been for games in the popular Halo series.

Monument Valley, the puzzle adventure game, took home two BAFTAs: British Game and Mobile &; Handheld. Daniel Gray, a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit, collected his first BAFTA for his work on the game.

The Last of Us: Left Behind, an additional chapter to the BAFTA-winning The Last of Us, won for Story and Performer, making it the second consecutive year in which Ashley Johnson has won a BAFTA for her role as Ellie.

Lumino City, a puzzle adventure game handmade in card and paper, won in the Artistic Achievement category, while Alien: Isolation, the first-person survival horror game, collected the BAFTA for Audio Achievement. Far Cry 4 collected the award for Music, the second win for the series after Far Cry 3 won for Action in 2013.

Skateboarding game OlliOlli fought off strong competition to win the BAFTA for Sport, while League of Legends, a leading title in the burgeoning field of eSports, picked up the award for Persistent Game.

Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna), an atmospheric platformer that explores the vibrant world of Alaska Native cultures, won Debut Game. Minecraft: Console Editions collected the award for Family.

Game Design was awarded to Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, a dynamic action game set within Tolkien’s universe. The BAFTA for Game Innovation was presented to The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, the story-driven detective mystery.

Valiant Hearts, an animated story inspired by letters sent during the first world war, won the BAFTA for Original Property. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, an intricately designed card-battling game, collected the award for Multiplayer.

Showcasing the best in young games development and design talent, Chambara, a game created by a team of student developers from the US, won the BAFTA Ones to Watch Award in association with Dare to be Digital.

The Fellowship was presented to David Braben OBE for his outstanding and exceptional creative contribution to the games industry.

The ceremony was streamed live online at Twitch.tv. BAFTA’s website, http://www.bafta.org , features red carpet highlights, photography and winners’ interviews, as well as dedicated coverage on its social networks including Facebook (/BAFTA), Twitter (@BAFTAGames / #BAFTAGames), and  Tumblr.

BAFTA has a year-round programme of events and initiatives that support the games industry. It includes developer talks, games showcases, debates, scholarships and networking, as well as the flagship Games Lecture by an inspirational practitioner. BAFTA Young Game Designers (YGD) gives young people and educators unique insights into the games industry and access to the creative minds behind some of their favourite games.

Registration for the British Academy Games Awards in 2016 is now open: http://awards.bafta.org/entry#games

Train2Game News Bafta 2015 nominations

Posted on by

image

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced the nominations for the British Academy Games Awards in 2015.

A total of 51 games have been recognised across 17 categories, showcasing the very best games of the past 12 months and highlighting an outstanding level of creative excellence from a broad range of UK and international development teams.

Alien: Isolation leads the way with six nominations across Audio Achievement, Best Game, British Game, Game Design, Game Innovation and Music.

Far Cry 4 receives a nomination in each of the following five categories: Artistic Achievement, Game Design, Music, Story and Performer. Monument Valley also receives five nominations in Artistic Achievement, Best Game, British Game, Mobile & Handheld and Original Property.

Four games receive four nominations apiece: 80 Days is nominated for British Game, Game Innovation, Mobile & Handheld and Story; Destiny is nominated for Best Game, Game Design, Multiplayer and Persistent Game; Mario Kart 8 is recognised in Audio Achievement, Best Game, Family and Multiplayer; and Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor picks up nominations in Best Game, Game Design, Game Innovation and Music.

The Banner Saga, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, Lumino City, Titanfall and The Vanishing of Ethan Carter all receive three nominations each, whilst Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved, Forza Horizon 2, Hitman GO, The Last of Us: Left Behind, Minecraft: Console Editions, Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna), The Sailor’s Dream, Threes, Valiant Hearts, The Walking Dead: Season 2 and The Wolf Among Us all have two nominations each.

Nominated in the Performer category are Adam Harrington (Bigby Wolf) in The Wolf Among Us, Ashley Johnson (Ellie) in The Last of Us: Left Behind, Kevin Spacey (Jonathan Irons) in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Logan Cunningham (Transistor) in Transistor, Melissa Hutchinson (Clementine) in The Walking Dead: Season 2 and Troy Baker (Pagan Min) in Far Cry 4.

Other nominated games are Assassin’s Creed Unity, Broken Age, Counterspy, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Eve Online – Phoebe, FIFA 15, Football Manager 2015, Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions, Hohokum, Kalimba, The LEGO Movie Videogame, League of Legends, LittleBigPlanet 3, Madden NFL 15, OlliOlli, Runescape, Shovel Knight, Skylanders Trap Team, Sunset Overdrive, Trials Fusion, Twelve a Dozen, World of Tanks and World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor.

Showcasing the very best in young games development and design talent, the BAFTA Ones To Watch Award in association with Dare to be Digital finalists are Chambara, Sagittarius and Don’t Walk: Run.

For the first time, the British Academy Games Awards will be hosted by actor  Rufus Hound and will take place on Thursday 12 March at Tobacco Dock, London, for the second year. On the night, the ceremony will be streamed live online at Twitch.tv. BAFTA’s website, www.bafta.org, will also feature red carpet highlights, photography and winners’ interviews, as well as dedicated coverage on its social networks including Facebook (/BAFTA), Twitter (@BAFTAGames / #BAFTAGames), and Tumblr.

Industry tickets to the British Academy Games Awards, which include champagne reception, awards ceremony, buffet supper and after party, are available here:  http://tickets.bafta.org.

Train2Game News BAFTA Young Game Designers competition

Posted on by

BAFTAThe British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced the call for entries for the 2015 BAFTA Young Game Designers (YGD) competition in association with Nominet Trust, which aims to inspire the UK’s game-makers of the future by giving young people the chance to design and make their own game. The winners will be named at a special awards ceremony in July. Entries are now open at www.bafta.org/ygd until Monday 1 June.

Originally launched in 2010 for 11-16 year-olds, this year the age range for the competition has been expanded to include 10-18 year-olds, divided into age-specific sub-groups. Entrants – who can be individuals or a team of up to three people – can choose to enter two creative categories: The YGD Game Concept Award, to create a concept for a new game; and the YGD Game Making Award, to make a game using freely available software. The winners will receive a host of prizes, including further development of their game with industry professionals.

Two new categories have also been added this year: The YGD Mentor Award, for an inspirational individual involved in the education of young game designers; and the YGD Hero Award, for a games industry professional who supports young game designers. The public can nominate their YGD Mentor, while the YGD Hero will be selected by BAFTA’s Games Committee.

The BAFTA YGD competition is part of a year-round programme of activity which gives young people and educators unique insights into the games industry and access to the creative minds behind some of their favourite games. Support includes: a website (www.bafta.org/ygd) where BAFTA members, award winners and nominees share their insights and advice through interviews and exclusive video content; a web series, that takes a light-hearted look behind the scenes of the games industry; a range of teaching resources that link the BAFTYA YGD competition to the national curriculum; an online ‘feedback hub’ where young people can submit ideas or questions about their entry, with the chance of gaining a personalised response from a games expert; and live workshops around the country.

Nominet Trust – the UK’s only dedicated tech for good funder – is headline partner of the initiative, working with BAFTA to develop additional schools-focussed activity addressing the under-representation of women in the games workforce. Other supporting partners of BAFTA Young Game Designers include: Bethesda Softworks, Criterion Games (an EA Studio), Google, Jagex, King, Pinewood Studios Group, SEGA, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Unity, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Abertay University supports the development of the games of the winners of the BAFTA YGD competition.

Tim Hunter, Director of Learning and Events at BAFTA, said: “The BAFTA YGD competition is a great opportunity for young people to try their hand at game design and get feedback from the creative people behind their favourite games. The games industry is one of the biggest and most dynamic entertainment industries in the world; we hope this competition inspires entrants to consider a career in games, as well as helping them better appreciate the artistry involved in making games. We can’t wait to share the winners with the industry and public at the YGD Awards ceremony in July.”

Annika Small, CEO of Nominet Trust, said: “If the UK is to retain its world-leading position in the creative industries, we need to develop a highly skilled workforce. The BAFTA Young Game Designers competition equips young people with the creative digital skills, understanding and connections that they need to become the games designers of the future. It’s exciting to see young people move from simply playing games to designing and making their own ones. Nominet Trust is proud to be supporting this vital initiative – I can’t wait to see what ideas and games entrants come up with!”

The winning games from 2014 – Tomatos Role from 16 year-old Rhianna Hawkins, from Taunton, and AlienX from 15 year-old Adam Oliver – will be on show at BAFTA’s Inside Games Arcade in advance of the British Academy Games Awards in March.

For the Terms & Conditions, and to enter the BAFTA YGD competition, go to www.bafta.org/ygd.

Train2Game News Student in BAFTA programme

Posted on by

image

Indie Developer taught by Train2Game selected for BAFTA programme

Nicola Valcasara amongst the elite of the UK games industry accepted to join BAFTA Crew Games 2014

Professional video games creator who learnt his craft with Train2Game, joins experienced UK games developers in exclusive BAFTA scheme. Nicola Valcasara has taken one of 100 places available for Game Practitioners requiring at least two years professional experience in the games industry in the UK. The programme provides exclusive access to: Games Industry mentors, live QAs and podcasts, networking opportunities and scientific research in Game Design. 

Nicola has an outstanding reputation in the Train2Game community, having won a previous design competition with Rapid2D. He now works with another previous TrainGame student, Darroch McNaught, at Indie studio DeuXality Games. He’s set to learn a tremendous amount from  the course, masterclasses and online livestreams cover; Story & Narrative, Games Design, Music & Sound Design, and Game Art. BAFTA Crew Games 2014 is an interactive programme – working with selected participants to tailor the content to their interests and needs.

Working with partners Creative Skillset and Wellcome Trust, BAFTA Crew Games 2014 will shine the spotlight on the collaboration between the games industry and research in medical humanities. Masterclasses will offer the opportunity to access insight from Scientists and researchers from the Wellcome Trust with a specific focus on how research in Biomedical Science can inform Game Design.

Nicola Valcasara, “I applied at the BAFTA Crew games 2014 in September, thanks to a research on the net about funding and game developing events. Now I have been accepted, this is a very nice way to show my face around and I hope it will move me one step further inside the Games Industry. This is a great opportunity to be involved in an interactive programme focused on making wonderful products and allowing me to meet important people in the game industry. I’ll also get to meet the other 99 people like me and share ideas and future projects.”

Train2Game News BAFTA breakthrough initiative

Posted on by

BAFTABAFTA are currently accepting applications for their Breakthrough Brits initiative. In partnership with Burberry, they are looking for the British Film, TV and Gaming talent of tomorrow.

The company wants to encourage potential Breakthrough Brits across the UK to apply and to get those who think they might know a potential Breakthrough Brit to nominate them. BAFTA Breakthrough Brit’s will be working professionally in these industries and making a name for themselves in their chosen field. In essence, they’ll just be breaking through and we want to support them in that with a tailored programme of support, mentoring and career development.

Further information on Breakthrough Brits and how to apply can be found at: http://www.bafta.org/about/supporting-talent/breakthrough-brits,3784,BA.html. The deadline for applications is Monday 9 June 2014.

Also, the BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme is now accepting applications. It assists up to 10 talented UK nationals in need of financial support to study a post-graduate course in film, television or games in the UK and each BAFTA Scholar will receive up to £10,000 towards their course fees for a year, mentoring support from BAFTA members and free access to BAFTA events around the UK.

The deadline for applications is Monday 16 June and further information on how to apply can be found here.

Train2Game News: BAFTA Inside Games Event

Posted on by

BAFTAThe British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced that tickets for Inside Games, a new public showcase of the latest games from the world’s biggest games companies, are on sale now.

The event will take place on the same day as the British Academy Games Awards, Wednesday 12 March, at the Tobacco Dock London.

Inside Games is BAFTA’s first-ever pre-Awards event celebrating gaming excellence. It will offer the public hands-on experience with a wide range of highly anticipated games. The event includes a series of BAFTA-curated talks with leading game developers and, with the ‘Inside Games Arcade’, a playable showcase of independent games. These will vary in scope, platform, style and development budget, showcasing the best the art form has to offer.

Also this year, for the very first time, BAFTA is selling public tickets to the British Academy Games Awards. The ceremony, hosted by comedian Dara O’Briain, will take place later that evening. Tickets for the Awards, which include entry to Inside Games, are on sale now.

Harvey Elliott, Chair of BAFTA’s Games Committee, said: “After a review of last year’s Awards activity, the committee believed it was time to broaden the ways in which BAFTA celebrates games and to enable the industry to engage more directly with gamers. Our Inside Games event has been curated by BAFTA to give gamers unprecedented access to the developers behind some of the best new titles of 2014. Also opening our Awards to the public for the first time is another way in which we are helping them have a better connection with the industry.”

Tickets to Inside Games are available for £12 in advance, with a limited number available on the day.

Tickets to the British Academy Games Awards, which include access to Inside Games, are available for £30.

For more information on both these events and to purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/InsideGames.

Train2Game News: Train2Game Friend Fee Stewart requires more staff at Formerdroid

Posted on by

FormerdroidFormerdroid are hiring!

Train2Game friend Fee Stewart announced: We are currently looking for a Unity programmer (javascript) to work in Huddersfield.

The position would suit a highly motivated person who has extensive knowledge of Unity and wishes to grow with this BAFTA nominated, highly progressive team making original IP.

Knowledge of Windows 8 phone would be advantageous.

Single accommodation can be arranged if necessary for relocation.

Please send your CV to fee@formerdroid[DOT]com

Closing date 27/09/13

Train2Game News: 2013 BAFTA Video Game Awards

Posted on by

BAFTAThe video game BAFTAs were held earlier this week and Train2Game has the results for you. It was an excellent night for PlayStation exclusive, Journey, in particular.

The list of winners is as follows:

Audio Achievement – Journey

  • Steve Johnson, Austin Wintory, Keith Leary

Best Action Game 2013 – Far Cry 3

  • Dan Hay, Patrick Plourde, Patrik Methe

Best Game – Dishonored

  • Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks

British Game – The Room

  • Fireproof Games/Fireproof Games

Debut Game – The Unfinished Swan

  • Ian Dallas, Nathan Gary
  • Giant Sparrow/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

Family – LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

  • Jon Burton, Jonathan Smith, John Hodskinson
  • TT Games/Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment

Game Design – Journey

  • That Game Company/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

Game Innovation – The Unfinished Swan

  • Ian Dallas, Nathan Gary
  • Giant Sparrow/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

Mobile & Handheld – The Walking Dead

  • Dan Connors, Kevin Bruner, Kevin Boyle
  • Telltale Games/Telltale

Online (Browser) – SongPop

  • Olivier Michon, Thibaut Crenn, Daouna Jeong
  • FreshPlanet/FreshPlanet

Online-Multiplayer – Journey

  • That Game Company/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

Original Music – Journey

  • Austin Wintory, Keith Leary, Mony Mudd
  • That Game Company/Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

Performer – Danny Wallace

  • (The Narrator) Thomas Was Alone

Sports/Fitness – New Star Soccer

  • Simon Read
  • New Star Games/New Star Games

Story – The Walking Dead

  • Telltale Games/Telltale

Strategy – XCOM: Enemy Unknown

  • Firaxis/2K Games

BAFTA Ones to Watch Award in association with Dare to Be Digital

  • Starcrossed
  • Kimi Sulopuisto, Vili Viitaniemi, Minttu Meriläinen, Petri Liuska, Andrew MacLean

 

At the end of the event Valve CEO and BAFTA Fellowship winner, Gabe Newell, come to the stage with a standing ovation and said “On behalf of everyone at Valve, and all of the gamers who have gone with us on this adventure over the last few years – thank you very much,”

If you want to watch the event you can do so here: http://www.bafta.org/games/awards/watch-live,3664,BA.html