Staffs Uni games graduates shortlisted among the crème de la crème

Staffordshire University and its computer games graduates have been shortlisted for nine awards in the TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2023.

The annual awards recognise outstanding students, education providers and best practice and the winners of all 12 categories will be announced in a virtual ceremony on Friday 29th September.

Dr Richard Wilson OBE, TIGA CEO, said: “The TIGA Education Awards shortlist highlights leaders in games education: outstanding students, excellent providers and good practice in education. Thank you to Creative Assembly, our headline sponsor, Sumo Group, our Gold Sponsor and Lockwood Publishing, our Bronze Sponsor, for supporting excellence in skills and learning, and for making the TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2023 possible. We look forward to revealing the crème de la crème when we announce the winners of the Awards on September 29th.

Staffordshire University is represented in the following categories:

•    Outstanding TIGA graduate (Artist); Megan Louise Morris, Aaron Burnhope

•    Outstanding TIGA graduate (Audio); Felype Goncalves Fernandes

•    Outstanding TIGA graduate (Computer Games Tech); Davide Pelino, Conner Pittaway

•    Outstanding TIGA graduate (Designer); Jade Staines, Olivia Cross

•    Outstanding TIGA graduate (Programmer); Arnav Mehta

•    Outstanding TIGA postgraduate; Jamie Linnell

•    Excellence in University/College industry collaboration

•    Excellence in Games Research

•    Creative assembly best student game; Prepare to Dine

Head of the Games Development department Professor Chris Headleand said: “It’s amazing to see so many of our Games cohort represented this year and I’m so proud to see all their hard work celebrated in this way.”

In addition, TIGA - the trade association representing the UK’s video games industry - has announced 89 outstanding graduates and post-graduates in games. 22 of these are Staffordshire University graduates, nine of which are shortlisted for the  TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2023.

Each student was nominated by the university for the award ‘TIGA Graduate of the Year’ or ‘TIGA Post-Graduate of the Year’ and judges from the TIGA Education Committee reviewed the submissions and evidence of the students’ work.TIGA then awarded each student the accolade of ‘TIGA Graduate of the Year’ or ‘TIGA Post-Graduate of the Year’ in recognition of their excellent work.

Staffordshire University graduates receiving a TIGA accolade are:

Arijus, Riskus, Megan Louise Morris*, Aaron Burnhope*, Ibim Krukrubo, Charlie Woodhead, Alvin Oblitely, Emmanuael Yeboah, Felype Goncalves Fernandes*, Gabriel Bainbridge-Welling, Conner Pittaway*, Jaba Makharashvili, Luke Baughan, Davide Pelino*, Alex Powles, Olivia Cross*, Tyler Timlin, Peter Golbiewski, Jade Staines*, Arnav Mehta*, Brandon Briggs, Kyle Robinson, Jamie Linnell* (* denotes accolade plus shortlisting) 

Jade Staines, who graduated with a First and who is working as a Junior Game Designer with FuturLab, said she was honoured to have been shortlisted and receive the accolade of TIGA Graduate of the Year.

“Thank you so much to everyone involved and Staffordshire University for the nomination.”

Another First class student Olivia Cross, who works as a Junior Level Designer at Lighthouse Games added: “I’m beyond happy to announce that not only have I been shortlisted for TIGA’s Graduate of the Year: Designer award but Prepare to Dine has also been shortlisted for Creative Assembly’s Best Student Game!! Well done Team PTD!! I can’t wait to see what happens on September 29th!”

Maria Scrivens

Communications Manager

t: 01782 294375

m: 07766 520339

e: m.c.scrivens@staffs.ac.uk

Staffordshire University’s ambition is to become the UK’s best modern university. An institution with a strong civic mission, it has committed to being a ‘catalyst for change’ for students and businesses, positively impacting wider society and the regional economy.

Staffordshire University was named a Top 5 university in the UK and ranked Top 10 for job prospects in the StudentCrowd University Awards 2022 – based entirely on student reviews. It also ranked Top 10 for Social Inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.

The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) classed 68% of the University’s research as world leading or internationally excellent and 87% of its ‘research impact’ was judged to be outstanding or very outstanding.

Substantial investment in innovative technologies and teaching environments ensure next generation courses and education are delivered across all three campuses in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and London.