BAFTA announces finalists for 2026 Young Game Designers Competition
May 21, 2026
BAFTA has unveiled 51 talented finalists aged between 10 and 18, who have been selected for this year’s BAFTA Young Game Designers competition. Chosen from hundreds of entries, these finalists were selected by judging panels representing 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).
BAFTA and YouGov research has found that over a third of young adults believe games are an important form of social connection, while 88% of children aged 3-15 play video games (UKIE and OKRE). Following the government’s record £28.5 million investment into the British games industry last month, BAFTA remains committed to supporting the next generation of British game designers – helping them build lasting connections with each other and the wider games industry.
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 programme engages young people directly through game-making workshops, primary school roadshows with Place2Be, dedicated secondary school events during National Careers Week, and more. The programme culminates in the annual Young Game Designers Competition, which gives talented young creatives access to expert insights, advice, and the chance to showcase their game-creating ability.
This year’s finalists have entered into one of two categories: the Game Concept Award, which rewards the most original and best thought-out game idea, and the Game Making Award, which goes to the most impressive use of coding skills on a freely available software to create a prototype game. Each category is split into two age groups: 10-14 years and 15-18 years.
Over a third of this year’s finalists applied as part of a team. British children, many of whom have grown up in an online world, are increasingly using video games as a new space to connect and explore their creativity.
18-year-old co-developers Rafe Lepherd from Essex, alongside Alex Huynh Anh Le-Hoang and Josh Robinson from Greater London, have been shortlisted as a trio in the Game Making 15-18 category this year for their game In Your Head. They describe it as a “Bullet-Hell style boss-fighter where you figuratively and literally battle depression with coping mechanisms, and strengthen your mental health through bonds in the real world.”
14-year-old Nissi Mazvidza from Leeds was shortlisted in the Game Concept 10-14 category for her game Olividado Estrella. She also explores the mind in her game concept, describing it as a “scenic adventure game” that “will remind you of the beauty of the past” as you “[wake] up with no memories and no grasp of your surroundings”, just “a small name tag attached to your shawl identifying you.”
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Dhyani Patel, a finalist from Hertfordshire in the older Game Concept 15-18 category, explores recursive memory itself in her game. Fans of Blade Runner 2049, Memento or Outer Wilds will enjoy her concept, titled The Last Thing the World Forgot and set in a “futuristic, data-overloaded world where memories are ranked and erased”. You play as Echo, “a being who hears forgotten things” and has to “choose what deserves to be remembered”.
This year’s finalists were selected based on the creativity of their vision and the technicality of their execution. Winning entries will be judged on their design and suitability for their chosen platform, with the aim of encouraging participants into games careers, and making the industry more accessible to young talent.
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 year-round support that we’re able to offer with Young Game Designers, culminating in the competition, is a chance for them to connect with experts working at some of the biggest games companies in the country. But it also allows veterans in the industry to get involved and pay it forward, passing on their knowledge to a new generation of talent who might become their future colleagues. Inspiring the next generation to design, build, and share their game ideas reminds us all of our journeys and why we’re in this industry.”
This year’s new host Jules Hardy, broadcaster, said: “I’m amazed at the talent shown by this year’s competition finalists, and I’m very excited to support their journey when they go on to create more great games. If you have ever wanted to make a game – this competition is such a great way to learn all about it, plus make new friends, connections, and pursue a career in the industry. BAFTA Young Game Designers is the place for the future talent of video games – if you have a passion for it, why not apply next year? I would love to play your games!”
Young Game Designers is part of BAFTA’s Young BAFTA programme, which exists to inspire and celebrate the next generation in film, tv and games. Through nationwide school visits, workshops and competitions, the programme raises career aspirations, boosts mental wellbeing and encourages creativity through self-expression. It gives children, young people, and educators the opportunity to gain vital insights into the essential skills needed for a sustainable career in the screen industries, and grants them exclusive access to the brightest creative minds from across the industry.
Official Partners of BAFTA Young Game Designers 2026 include PlayStation, Google Play, EE, Hasbro and WB Games. All of this year’s finalists will have their games featured at the Young BAFTA Showcase weekend being hosted at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly 27-28 June, giving them the chance to play each other’s games before it opens to the public on the following day.
The winners ceremony will be streamed on BAFTA’s YouTube channel, on June 18th at 5.00pm BST, with broadcaster Jules Hardy hosting for the first time. 2026 winners will also be featured in the prestigious Power Up games experience, alongside some of the very best video games and consoles from the past five decades, including an array of previous Young Game Designers winners. Power Up will be showcasing this year’s winners from June 19th at the Science Museum in London and the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, as well as the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester from 20 June.
Further details on all finalists and their games will be made available here. Interviews with finalists, schools or parents are available on request. Further information about BAFTA Young Game Designers can be found here.
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