Learn how to become a game developer with The Next Level Project

These are very exciting times for the games industry with the games sector employing almost 30,000 well paid tech jobs in the UK. Over 7,000 videogame degree students are expected to graduate in 2022. Despite this, the UK games industry is still facing a major talent shortage, with UKIE reporting that 2,000 roles still need to be filled. (UKIE 2022)

In addition to this, looking at diversity within the games industry shows many inequalities. We want to break the mould!

Only 10% of people working in games are Black, Asian or minority ethnic. 70% of people working in the games industry are men, compared to 28% women and 2% non-binary people (UKIE 2022).

How do we raise more awareness of the types of jobs that are available in the industry? How do we create change and encourage more women of colour to consider careers in the industry?

We need go into the community, build trust, build relationships, and raise awareness of the various roles and skills involved in games development. This is exactly what we at the BGI are going to do!
We have been extremely fortunate to secure a funding bid from UFI Voch Tech, to produce a 6-week course in Games Design aimed specifically at women of colour aged 18-25.

The course has been co designed with our Vocational Learning Manager and our experienced Workshop Facilitator in collaboration with a group of ESOL students (English Speakers of other Languages) from The Sheffield College to create a targeted curriculum. We have also received support from our University of Sheffield advisor, Yinka Olusoga, who is the Programme director of the BA Education, Culture and Childhood. To make sure our course is successful , our co designers have given invaluable feedback and tested each element of the curriculum along the way.

We started with focus groups discussions in the ESOL community centre to build relationships with the students. We tested each element of the curriculum with them and got further feedback through questionnaires. Once the students felt comfortable, we held the last two codesign sessions, in our dedicated education space at the museum. This was a massive achievement for them!

The course will use Crayta, a new platform from Unit 2 Games for collaborative game design, to give students foundational learning in videogame development. Crayta allows beginners to create high-quality games assets and gameplay via the industry-leading ‘Unreal Engine’ (an advanced real-time 3D creation platform), and then publish the games via social media. Crayta is extremely user-friendly and suitable for learners of all levels. With 94% of under-25s regularly playing games, there is huge potential for vocational learning using this technology.

A crucial feature of our technology choice is how it levels the playing field and removes barriers to entry for young people without high-end technology at their fingertips. For disadvantaged young women of colour, our course will provide a unique opportunity to enter a world of digital creation and careers. This world is at present, largely inaccessible to them due to inequalities, misconceptions and the industry’s ongoing failureto be inclusive.

We are now ready to launch the course and deliver it live in our dedicated education room at the National Videogame Museum. Our experienced workshop facilitator has cultivated the course to meet the learners’ needs and make it accessible for all learning styles. They will deliver the course each week. The course will be action-packed with opportunities for students to meet developers, learn how to make a videogame and track their progress .

The course is free with no pre-entry requirements. Learners will be given a laptop to use at the museum, refreshments will be provided, and travel will be reimbursed. At the end of the course learners will receive a certificate (accredited by AIM Investing in your Future) and an opportunity to join our online community forum which has a wealth of career information, advice and guidance.

By joining the course you get:
A safe space to learn at the National Videogame Museum
1:1 support and careers guidance.
Career talks from developers of colour
Accredited certification (AIM Investing in your Future)
Travel expenses reimbursed
Refreshments provided
A fun friendly atmosphere
A chance to learn new skills and create games
An opportunity to make new friends and build confidence

The course is due to start on Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th May, 10am-1pm for six weeks. For more information on the course please email stacey@thebgi.uk