TIGA, the trade association representing the UK’s video games industry, hosts the annual awards to recognise outstanding students, education providers and best practice across 11 categories.
Leading the shortlist, Staffordshire University is in the running for 17 awards including ‘Innovative Teaching’ and ‘Excellence in University/Industry Collaboration’. Professor of Game Studies Esther MacCallum-Stewart, who has written widely on aspects of gaming including gender, representation and diversity, is also recognised in the ‘Excellence in Games Research’ category.
Five games created by Staffs students are up for the ‘Best Student Game’ gong and nine recent graduates are shortlisted across the Outstanding TIGA Graduate: Artist, Computer Games Technology, Designer and Programmer categories.
This follows TIGA’s recent announcement that 19 Staffordshire University graduates have received the prestigious ‘TIGA Graduate of the Year’ accolade recognising their excellent work.
‘TIGA Graduate of the Year’ Cheyenne Burdue is shortlisted in the Outstanding TIGA Graduate: Artist category.The 25-year-old also received the first-place prize for Character Art at Staffordshire University’s GradEX exhibition. After graduating with a first-class honours degree in Computer Games Design, Cheyenne now works as a Junior Groom Artist at Airship Interactive.
She said: “It is an honour to have the opportunity. I’m grateful to everyone who has helped me get to this point.
“I’m glad I have gone to Staffordshire University to learn. I have learnt a lot during my education there and seen a significant increase in not only the quality of my work but my confidence. The games department has excellent connections to the industry with plenty of opportunities to meet professionals. The tutors over at Staffs are absolutely amazing - they go above and beyond for their students.”
Last year Staffordshire University was named winner of the Excellence in University/Industry Collaboration by TIGA. This recognised the Games and Visual Effects Summer Showcase, an online event, which gave students the opportunity to engage directly with industry experts during the pandemic.
Professor Chris Headleand, Head of Department for Games Design and Technology, said: “We are incredibly proud of the excellent work produced by our staff and students in the Games Development department at Staffordshire University. It is wonderful to see so many of our community shortlisted for TIGA UK Games Education awards. Having seen the portfolios of our shortlisted students, I look forward to seeing the impact they will have on the sector as they begin their careers.
“The excellent and innovative education our team delivers is underpinned by our close links to industry, our pioneering research, ensuring our graduates stay at the cutting edge. We thank TIGA for continuing to celebrate excellence from across the UK games education.”
Winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony on Friday 16 September 2022, together with the winners of two special awards that will be revealed during the programme.
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