The Grads in Games Awards 2020 – The Graduate Impact Winner is Revealed!
The Graduate Impact Award highlights recent graduates and junior staff that have exceeded expectations in a studio role. Showcasing the staff that are making their first steps in the industry but are already having a hugely positive impact, not just within the studio but also towards the industry as a whole.
From graduates quickly becoming an essential and integral member of their team, to those already developing leadership potential, and to those in early stages of becoming key figures at industry events and outreach initiatives, we are recognising the burgeoning efforts of these future games superstars & the benefits that graduate staff can bring to a team.
This year we had over 40 individual nominations highlighting the positive impact junior staff are having in the industry. These were eventually reduced to a shortlist of 8 finalists who were then judged by our fantastic panel. This years finalists:
- Ryan Seymour – Digital Producer at Smithsonian Institution
- Ioana Cazacu – Junior Designer at Mojiworks
- Kieran Goodson – Junior Environment Artist at Rebellion
- James Hardy – Engine Developer at Jagex
- George Rankin – Level Designer at Supermassive Games
- Scott Howell – Graduate Programmer at Firesprite
- Kalliopi Tsavari – Junior Programmer at nDreams
- Oli Parker – Mathematician at Intouch Games
Following deliberation by our judging panel, we can now reveal that in their expert decision the winner of this years award is George Rankin!
George is no stranger to the Grads in Games team, having joined us multiple times on the Get in the Game university tour throughout 2019. He also has a strong track record of attending games expos and events all over the UK and is always available to provide portfolio reviews for students and graduates alike.
Some of George’s nominations:
“George helped me massively when I was a student, he met up with me at an event, gave a look at my portfolio, as well as even write up a google doc to give me points of feedback to iterate on! On top of this he has stayed in touch check how I have been getting on. A real credit to the industry in helping students make efforts to get into the industry.”
“He helped me immensely with creating my portfolio website and resume and consequently applying to companies. The result of which is that I am now a Quest Designer at my dream studio”
“George has been a stalwart level designer ever since I met him. He is always looking to share his knowledge with everyone who is willing to listen, and volunteers at every opportunity. I know few game developers who have travelled more to share their craft than George has.”
George received some amazing comments from his peers and has proven to be an amazing resource of information to new graduates and students, we are very pleased to present this award to him.
