A Glenrothes teenager is glad she never gave up on her game idea when the going got tough —because she is in the running for a BAFTA.
Jaime Williams, 13, has been announced as a finalist in a nationwide competition run by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts to find the game designers of the future.
Jaime fought off tough competition from hundreds of entries to have her game Meteor Mania recognised in the game making category for her age group.
Her game sees a player pitted against the clock, using their skill to collect a target number of stars in a set time limit with hitting any meteors.
The Glenrothes High School pupil said: “Making my own game from scratch was tougher than I imagined and I almost gave up a couple of times.
“To have it recognised by BAFTA is such an honour and has really inspired me to carry on designing games and developing new skills and concepts.
“I’m really excited about the ceremony next month and meeting other young games designers from across the country.”
The competition, in association with Nominet Trust, gives young people the chance to design and create their own game.
The initiative is now in its sixth year and has seen previous entrants go on to attract commercial interest.
Forty games will be vying for awards, which recognise a written idea, or a game made using computer software.
The winners will receive a host of prizes, including a mentor from the games industry to help them develop their skills further.
The young finalists come from across England, Scotland and Wales — stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance.
BAFTA games committee chairman Nick Button-Brown said: “Each year I’m truly inspired by the amazing games that we see and the talent, creativity and enthusiasm that all our entrants show.
“I never fail to be humbled by how much better their work is than what I could do at their age.
“The entrants to this competition will help to define the future of the games industry, and I for one look forward to seeing what they come up with and playing their games.”
The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony at BAFTA’s headquarters in London next month.
