Bafta Young Game Designers Competition features West finalists

A teenager who spent months writing code for a computer game has been shortlisted for a prominent gaming competition final along with other young people from across the West. The Bafta (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Young Game Designers Competition creates pathways into the industry by providing young people passionate about gaming with hands-on-experience. Matthew, 15, from Portishead near Bristol, is one of the 51 finalists. He said he was happy his "hard work and late nights of coding had paid off". He added: "My favourite part of coding is the creative problem solving, like creating a fluid physics-based movement system or saving player data in a compact form." Matthew's game, 'Overclocked', is a sci-fi action game focused on momentum, timing and speed running. He said: "I entered it as a way to get my work in front of professionals, and because it was an interesting opportunity to meet other game developers. "I am incredibly proud to see my dedication to game development being recognised on such a massive stage." Rikka, 14 from Frome in Somerset, entered her game concept 'Beyond the Horizon' - where an astronaut is stranded on a planet awaiting rescue by her tea