Into Games is proud to announce that it is working with the BAFTA Young Game Designers (YGD) competition to create more opportunities for the next generation of working-class and low-income developers.

As part of their work together, the Into Games schools workbook for 12-16 year olds will be completely redesigned in collaboration with the BAFTA team. The workbook currently showcases career routes, tips on games design and the chance to create their own game concept. The books will now enable young people to develop and submit their own entries to the awards with in-built step-by-step guidance.

Over the next 12 months, Into Games will aim to distribute 3500 workbooks directly into the hands of young people, and boost participation in YGD from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds by at least 50%.

As part of the wider programme of work, upto a thousand booklets will be distributed via Discover Creative Careers Month in November. Upto 30 secondary schools in London, Brighton, Birmingham and Hartlepool will addtionally receive visits from a game sector proffesional who will bring the workbooks to life via interactive workshops.

This initiative marks the beginning of a wider, ongoing collaboration aimed at building more social mobility in the UK games sector. CEO of Into Games stated:

“Together with the BAFTA YGD team, we’re making sure that game development feels accessible to every young person, no matter their postcode or background. Our shared goal is to make pathways into games clearer, fairer, and more inspiring for those who’ve been historically left out.

We know that talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t, and this collaboration helps us start to change that from the classroom up.”