Bafta Young Game Designers 2025: Which games won?

BBC News

20-06-2025

The competition is split into two award categories with prizes up for grabs:The YGD Game Concept Award - which rewards the most original and best thought-out game idea.The YGD Game Making Award - which goes to the most impressive use of coding skills on a freely available software, to create a prototype game.Each of these categories is split into two age groups: 10-14 years old and 15-18 years old.
Meet the winners of the Game Concept Award
The winner of the 10-14 Game Concept Award was 14-year-old Tanisi Rawat for her game called 'The Undead'.Tainsi's game is a pixelated horror story, where the player explores a futuristic world filled with zombies, while trying to reunite with their family.As part of the story players can uncover the truth behind what caused the zombie outbreak, whilst also exploring their own personal identity and loneliness.Speaking about winning Tainsi said: "As a YGD finalist, I've learnt so much about the thought actually put into games; to think that a silly, little concept I thought up in my head could actually become something all the more real."
The winners of the 15-18 Game Concept Award were 17-year-old Emily Sun and Isabelle Taylor with their game 'Mikka Bouzu'.Their game follows the story of a burnt-out game designer who has lost her passion for art and must journey through three of her unfinished games, writing endings for them to rediscover her lost creativity. The game is set in four different areas: The real world; Castlepunk - a medieval mini-world; The Adventures of 4 - role-playing-game area with a Japanese inspired environment; and Untitled - a white space filled with items and notes from her younger self. Speaking about their game Emily and Isabelle said: "The protagonist of our game struggles to finish her projects, We find this relatable because we also struggle to finish things. Like this quo-"
Meet the winners of the Game Making Award
The winner of the 10-14 Game Making Award was 13-year-old Thiago Van Vlerken Rene with his game 'Sir Floofington'.In the game, players play as the noble knight Sir Floofington, who uses his magnificent fluffy plume to hair slam and throw things at bats or skeltons as he fights his way through a spooky castle to find the legendary Golden Floof - the fluffiest treasure of all.On his journey Sir Floofington can find conditioner bottles that grant temporary immunity and heart pickups to restore his health, before eventually coming face-to-face with the mighty boss and guardian of the Golden Floof."I like that Sir Floofington uses his plume as a weapon because it brings a silly spin on the game. But the best part is the boss fight. It is satisfying and rewarding, and it tests everything the player has learnt and feels like an intense showdown," said Thiago.
The winner of the 15-18 Game Making Award was 18-year-old Luke Rayfield with his game 'Furniture Fu'.In the game you play as a pro ninja and first-time homeowner, but just as you start to unpack your things, the underworld bursts through the floorboards to try to stop you.The game is a mixture of furniture arranging which rewards strategy and puzzle-solving, and fighting spooky demons, which rewards timing and reflex skills.Speaking about the process Luke said: "This competition and Furniture Fu represents a huge milestone for me: firstly, an amazing accolade, and secondly, the only time I've managed to make a game to schedule. There's something so gratifying about so much work and passion coming together, against all odds, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to share that passion with others."