New initiative bringing games into the classroom officially launched on National Video Games Day
Date Posted: September 12, 2023
A new initiative bringing games into the classroom hopes to develop future BAFTA-winning talent in Northern Ireland.
Education charity Into Film, with the support from Northern Ireland Screen, has launched Story Builder: Games on National Video Games Day (12th September). This free educational resource was developed in close consultation with BAFTA and the Family Gaming Database.
Story Builder: Games allows students to merge their enthusiasm for gaming with education by creating characters, relevant settings, and meaningful stories based on their research and understanding of their focus area. It gives educators the tools to integrate game narratives and structure into any curriculum topics.
Sean Kelly, Into Film programme manager, highlighted the significance of integrating video games into the classroom: “The role of video games in the classroom is increasingly important, especially given the rate of growth in the video game industry and the career opportunities available to young people in Northern Ireland.”
The resource enables students to create develop and present a new game idea which they can enter into BAFTA’s Young Game Designer competition with a chance of winning an award, along with once-in-a-lifetime experiences with top game makers and industry professionals.
Lisa Prime at BAFTA said: “Story Builder: Games is an invaluable resource that enhances young peoples’ idea development and literacy skills in a fun and creative way. We look forward to seeing their game ideas come together and maybe even spot some future BAFTA Young Game Designers – one of our flagship programmes to inspire the next generation.”
As the UK’s fastest-growing entertainment industry, the games sector offers young people fascinating and varied career pathways for a wide range of skills.
Kevin Beimers, Creative Director at Holywood-based Italic Pig Gaming has said: “Games are a fast-growing industry with a strong presence in Northern Ireland – its important young people are aware of the career opportunities that are available and feel encouraged to analyse – the games they are enjoying.”
The resource, supported by Northern Ireland Screen, is the latest addition to Into Film’s Story Builder suite. The Games edition is tailored for Key Stage 3 students and is available to all schools across Northern Ireland in digital format or a limited number of printed copies are also available.
