Staffs graduate crowned best new games programmer
A Staffordshire University graduate has been recognised as the best new games programmer in the UK
TIGA, the trade association representing the UK’s video games industry, hosted the UK Games Education Awards 2022 this month to celebrate outstanding students, education providers and best practice.
Fergus Griggs graduated from Staffordshire University with a first-class degree in BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming this summer and was among just 15 games programmers to be awarded the accolade Graduate of the Year 2022 by TIGA in July.
Building on this success, Fergus won the ‘Outstanding TIGA Graduate Programmer 2022’ award at the UK Games Education Awards after being shortlisted from talented graduates across the UK.
Fergus, 22, from King's Lynn, said: “I'm delighted to have won, there were some fantastic final year projects around me at Staffs and I can see now that it was the same around the UK. Congratulations to all the nominees, it's clear how hard everyone has worked to get here.”
During his degree, Fergus completed a year-long industry placement with game developer Codemasters where he worked as part of the F1 2021 game team. This month, he has taken up a role with Creative Assembly – the studio behind the award-winning Total War series and the newly announced sci-fi shooter, HYENAS.
He said: “Aside from the continual support from my tutors, my course also featured a placement year. It allowed me to gain valuable industry experience before graduating. This placement was a huge help in securing my position at Creative Assembly.”
Professor Chris Headleand, Head of Games Development at Staffordshire University, said: “We are very proud of all our games graduates, who continue to have significant impact on the UK games industry. Fergus has produced an exceptional portfolio of projects during his time at Staffordshire university, and it is wonderful to see that hard work rewarded with recognition from TIGA.”
Last week, TIGA also revealed the finalists of the upcoming Games Industry Awards 2022 with Staffordshire University shortlisted in the ‘Educational Institution’ category. The University is also in the running for the ‘Education Initiative’ award in recognition of StaffsVerse, a computer game which transports players to an alternate Staffordshire University campus on Mars.
StaffsVerse was created from scratch as part of the 1UP initiative, which brought together students from a range of games courses and year groups to collaborate in an industry studio environment.
The TIGA Games Industry Awards 2022 are returning as an in-person event after two years online due to COVID-19 restrictions and winners will be revealed at a ceremony on Thursday November 10 in London.
Take a look at the StaffsVerse showreel to see more of the game and how students benefitted from working on the project.
Discover more about Staffordshire University’s range of games degrees or book your place at an Open Day.
Amy Platts
Media Communications Officer
t: 01782 292702
m: 07799 341911
e: amy.platts@staffs.ac.uk
Staffordshire University is a Civic University which plays a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We pride ourselves on being connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society.
We ranked 6th for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and were in the top 15 for Student Satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2022.
Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have a Centre for Health Innovation in Stafford and our Staffordshire University London campus is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries.
