SOME of the UK’s leading games companies gathered in Bradford for the 2023 Game Republic Student Showcase which saw seven university and college teams compete for seven awards.

Game Republic is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2023 as the largest industry-led games business network in the North of England.

The network supports and promotes the Yorkshire and Northern England games industry, with more than 1,000 developers and company members including Rebellion North, Sumo Digital and Revolution Software.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Game Republic event in Atrium at University of BradfordGame Republic event in Atrium at University of Bradford (Image: University of Bradford)

The event showcases student work and provides networking opportunities so that the final years can gain useful contacts – which often lead to employment - in the industry.

After the award presentations, the students got practical insights from a panel of previous Showcase participants about how to secure a job in the games industry.

Winners came from the universities of Bradford, Hull, Huddersfield, Staffordshire University, Sheffield Hallam University, York St John University.

Assistant Professor Robert Redman, who studied games design development at Bradford and has also worked in the industry and who now teaches the Game Design and Development programme at Bradford, said: “We’re trying to get students to be known by big name companies. That’s the ultimate goal of any gaming or animation student.

“It’s really difficult to get that level of contact without knowing someone who already works for the big companies.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Assistant Professor Robert Redman, from the University of Bradford, at the games event Assistant Professor Robert Redman, from the University of Bradford, at the games event (Image: University of Bradford)

“Events like these mean that students don’t need to know someone to be introduced to the bigger companies and they can then share their projects with them. We’re very proud to be able to host the Showcase in Game Republic’s 20th anniversary year.”

Student teams competed for the Sumo Digital Award for Game Design, the Rebellion North Award for Art and Animation, the Revolution Software Award for Game Narrative Design, the Red Kite Games Award for Game Technology, the Distinctive Games Award for Level Design, The PitStop Productions Award for Game Audio and Best Team Award.

There were 34 projects in a range of categories in games and animation, to be judged.

Among the winners was Game Design and Development student Mara Solomon, 22, from Romania, who won second prize in the Revolution Software Award for Game Narrative Design for her game Memento.

She said: “It's a game for music, nostalgia lovers, any story-based fanatics.

“I am hoping to release it at the end of the summer and add it to my portfolio. I’d like it to help me secure a job in the games industry.”