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TIGA reveals shortlist for UK Games Education Awards 2023

Published

2 years ago

September 7, 2023

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TIGA, the trade association representing the UK’s video games industry, has revealed the shortlist for the TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2023.

These awards recognise outstanding students, education providers and best practice.

The winners of the 12 categories will be announced in a virtual ceremony on Friday September 29^th 2023, together with the winner of a special award that will be revealed during the programme.

Creative Assembly, the studio behind the Total War series and new FPS title Hyenas, is the headline sponsor of the TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2023. As a multi-award winner for their education work, Creative Assembly utilises the skills and passions of 850 employees to provide industry outreach to students across the globe.

The Awards are further supported by: Gold sponsor Sumo Group, the award winning international family of game development studios; and Bronze sponsor, Lockwood Publishing.

Dr Richard Wilson OBE, TIGA CEO, said: “The TIGA Education Awards shortlist highlights leaders in games education: outstanding students, excellent providers and good practice in education. Thank you to Creative Assembly, our headline sponsor, Sumo Group, our Gold Sponsor and Lockwood Publishing, our Bronze Sponsor, for supporting excellence in skills and learning, and for making the TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2023 possible. We look forward to revealing the crème de la crème when we announce the winners of the Awards on September 29^th.”

Sophie Bryan, Head of HR, Creative Assembly, said: “We are pleased to sponsor yet another year of the TIGA UK Games Education Awards and to present the Creative Assembly Best Student Game Award. It is an opportunity to support and promote excellence in games education which is a priority for our Legacy Project education outreach work. Each year, through the awards, we see an incredible calibre of students and educational practice and this year is no different; congratulations to all shortlisted.”

Christina Haralambous, Group Director of Communications & Marketing, Sumo Group, said: “Sumo Group is delighted to be sponsoring the TIGA UK Games Education Awards for 2023. Nurturing, supporting and celebrating future talent, and those that help educate that talent, is important to continue to move our industry forward. Congratulations to all those on the shortlist for these prestigious awards.”

Halli Bjornsson, CEO of Lockwood Publishing, said: “The TIGA Games Education Awards recognise achievements and spur further progress in education and skills. Congratulations to all of our finalists and I look forward to seeing the winners.”

TIGA’s charity partner for the Games Education Awards 2023 is The Passage. The Passage’s vision is of a society where street homelessness no longer exists and where everyone has a place to call home. Founded in 1980, The Passage provides practical support and a wide range of services to help transform the lives of people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Guided by their Vincentian values, The Passage offers their clients resources and solutions to prevent or end their homelessness for good. The charity runs a modern Resource Centre in London, helping people to find routes to employment, benefits and stable accommodation; four residential projects, outreach and health services and homelessness prevention schemes.

TIGA GAMES EDUCATION AWARDS 2023 SHORTLIST

OUTSTANDING TIGA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR: ARTIST

Abertay University: Daniel Tolland
Birmingham City University: Joseph Gordon
Norwich University of the Arts: George Kee
Norwich University of the Arts: Salene Tarling
Staffordshire University: Megan-Louise Morris
Staffordshire University: Aaron Burnhope
University of Gloucestershire: Sam Carrier
University of Hertfordshire: Maxine Lugg
University of Hertfordshire: Diana Karakushyan
University of Portsmouth: Victoria Primmer

OUTSTANDING TIGA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR: AUDIO

Birmingham City University: Zih-Syuan Yang
Norwich University of the Arts: Rhys Anthony
Staffordshire University: Felype Goncalves Fernandes
University of Portsmouth: Antti Liakka

OUTSTANDING TIGA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR: COMPUTER GAMES TECHNOLOGY

Abertay University: Rhys Duff
Abertay University: Justin Syfrig
Birmingham City University: Nadia Nadeem
Bournemouth University: Annie Holliday
Staffordshire University: Davide Pelino
Staffordshire University: Conner Pittaway
University of Portsmouth: Siddhesh Swamy
University of Portsmouth: Victoria Primmer
University of the West of England: William Whitehouse
University of the West of England: Zac Collins

OUTSTANDING TIGA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR: DESIGNER

Abertay University: Dominik Gawron
Brunel University: Rui Silva
Bournemouth University: Archie McGrath
Bournemouth University: Ethan Shellard
City, University of London: Ayotunde Norman-Williams
Norwich University of the Arts: Szymon Garczynski
Staffordshire University: Jade Staines
Staffordshire University: Olivia Cross
Staffordshire University: Tyler Timlin
University of Portsmouth: Liam Peachey

OUTSTANDING TIGA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR: PROGRAMMER

Abertay University: Bridget Casey
Birmingham City University: Ryan Westwood
Bournemouth University: Ethan Shellard
Sheffield Hallam University: Chae Taylor
Sheffield Hallam University: Benjamin Kimberley
Staffordshire University: Arnav Mehta
University of Gloucestershire: Pheobe Pudge
University of the West of England: William Whitehouse
University of Portsmouth: Kian Bennett
University of Portsmouth: Ethan Crooks

OUTSTANDING TIGA GRADUATE OF THE YEAR: PRODUCTION/ENTERPRISE

Abertay University: Lyes Oussaiden
Bournemouth University: Anita Oyebola
Bournemouth University: Dario Splendido
Bournemouth University: Giorgos Karambasis-Rodriguez
University of Hertfordshire: Zuzana Remenarova
University of Hertfordshire: Darina Koycheva
University of Portsmouth: Joshua Hammond
University of Portsmouth: Zane Oliver
University of Portsmouth: Patrick Rotzetter

OUTSTANDING TIGA POST-GRADUATE OF THE YEAR

Sheffield Hallam University: Benjamin Kimberley
Sheffield Hallam University: Chae Taylor
Staffordshire University: Jamie Linnell
University of Hertfordshire: Muthuramalingam Ponnilavan
University of Hertfordshire: Reshu Shrestha
University of Hertfordshire: Safwan Sadik
University of Portsmouth: Adam Jerrett

DIVERSITY AWARD

London College of Communication, University of the Arts, London
University of Greenwich
University of Hertfordshire
University of Portsmouth

EXCELLENCE IN UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE – INDUSTRY COLLABORATION

Abertay University
Birmingham City University
Staffordshire University
University of Hertfordshire
University of Portsmouth

INNOVATIVE TEACHING

Abertay University
Birmingham City University
University of Hertfordshire
University of Portsmouth

EXCELLENCE IN GAMES RESEARCH

Abertay University
Birmingham City University
Bournemouth University
EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent Games and Game Intelligence (IGGI)
Sheffield Hallam
Staffordshire University
University of Greenwich

CREATIVE ASSEMBLY BEST STUDENT GAME

Abertay University: Slipways
Birmingham City University: Checkmate Evolution
Bournemouth University: Rum Runner’s Revenge
City, University of London: WAFFLE
London College of Communication, University of the Arts London: Letter Wars
Norwich University of the Arts: Dog Walking Simulator
Sheffield Hallam University: Death Rebuke
Staffordshire University: Prepare to Dine
University of Gloucestershire: Burger Zombies
University of Greenwich: Void Edge
University of Hertfordshire: My Shadow
University of Portsmouth: Malltopia
University of the West of Scotland: Project Retro Museum

TIGA has also today unveiled its Graduates of the Year, listing 89 outstanding graduates and post-graduates in games.

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Banana Rush

Banana Rush brings a cheeky jungle caper

Published

52 minutes ago

November 25, 2025

George Miller

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Play’n GO unveils Banana Rush, a character-first slot where a banana-fixated Gorilla rallies his misfit crew in a lush, bouncy rainforest.

Banana Rush sets a playful pace from the off. The bamboo-framed reels host our Gorilla and his merry band – a smirking monkey, a wise blue parrot, a toothy gator and a day-dreaming hippo – with baskets bulging with fruit dotted around the canopy. It’s a bright, cartoon-rich world that builds momentum as the team hustles to stack those golden snacks. Players who enjoy light-hearted, character-driven slots will feel right at home here.

Beneath the humour sits a clear, pick-up-and-play structure designed for easy entry and steady rhythm. Banana Rush is a 5×3 video slot with 10 fixed paylines that pay left to right – simple to understand, quick to follow, and ideal for anyone who prefers action led by theme and characters rather than complexity.

Narratively, Banana Rush is all about cause-and-effect chaos. Bananas tumble in, the Gorilla swoops to scoop them up, and the jungle perks up as the crew joins the forage. The more fruit they corral, the livelier the scene becomes – a neat comedic loop that mirrors the game’s pace without needing heavy jargon. It’s playful, it’s snack-obsessed, and it never loses sight of the cast’s personality.

Fans of Play’n GO’s brighter animal-led comedies will recognise the studio’s knack for expressive frames, crisp UI and family-friendly humour. Banana Rush leans into that signature style, offering a colourful escape where the goal is simple: keep the fruit flowing and enjoy the Gorilla’s antics with his jungle pals.

Magnus Wallentin, Games Ambassador at Play’n GO, said: “Banana Rush is our love letter to character-driven fun – a feel-good slice of jungle slapstick where a banana-hungry Gorilla steals the show while the whole crew cheers him on.”

Banana Rush is here – a bright, breezy crowd-pleaser for players who like their slots brimming with personality and colour.

The post Banana Rush brings a cheeky jungle caper appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Fast Track

Fast Track Celebrates Fourth Consecutive Great Place to Work® Certification, Maintaining High-Trust Workplace

Published

52 minutes ago

November 25, 2025

George Miller

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Fast Track, a leading SaaS technology company, has been certified by Great Place to Work® for the fourth consecutive year, achieving an exceptional 91% Trust Index score based on feedback from all employees participating in this year’s Great Place to Work Survey. This remarkable result places Fast Track among the world’s best employers and reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a high-trust workplace.

“Fast Track is fundamentally a culture-centric business, and our employees remain the driving force behind everything we achieve,” said Simon Lidzén, Co-Founder and CEO of Fast Track. “Reaching a 91% Trust Index while navigating another year of rapid growth demonstrates our dedication to fostering an exceptional and resilient organisational culture. Achieving this certification for the fourth year running reaffirms my belief in developing leaders from within and empowering our teams to thrive in an environment built on trust, transparency, and continuous growth.”

The 91% Trust Index represents a significant milestone, placing Fast Track among the top tier of certified workplaces globally. Research by Great Place to Work® shows that sustaining high employee trust during periods of rapid expansion is exceptionally rare, as growing organisations often face challenges maintaining a consistent culture as they scale.

“Our fourth Great Place to Work certification reflects our relentless dedication to being a world-class employer that attracts and retains exceptional talent, but also our belief that trust is what enables us to move fast and succeed,” said Jenny Arnell, Chief People Officer at Fast Track. **

“High-trust workplaces are more productive, energised and resilient – they experience less stress, fewer sick days, and lower burnout. In a highly agile environment like ours, where uncertainty is constant, trust becomes the foundation that allows people to take ownership, collaborate with confidence, and adapt quickly. As we continue to scale the company and its culture, our focus will be on deepening alignment across the team around how we work, who does the work, when and where it’s done, and how it’s valued. Maintaining this level of trust is what will keep us moving forward together.”

This achievement stands out not only for Fast Track’s continued growth across its offices in Malta, Spain and Sweden, but for the company’s ability to sustain a culture where trust, collaboration, and accountability remain as strong as ever, proving that scaling and staying people-centred can go hand in hand.

“Earning Great Place to Work certification for the fourth consecutive year, especially with a 91% Trust Index during such significant growth, truly sets Fast Track apart in the technology sector,” said Linda Löfman, Senior Consultant at Great Place to Work®*. “This level of employee trust and satisfaction during expansion demonstrates exceptional leadership and a genuine commitment to workplace culture. Fast Track’s consistent focus on fairness, transparency, and developing talent from within continues to make them a standout employer in the industry.”*

The Great Place to Work® certification is based entirely on employee feedback, making it one of the most credible workplace recognitions globally. Fast Track’s sustained performance across four years — culminating in this record-breaking Trust Index — reinforces its position as an employer of choice in the global technology industry.

As Fast Track continues to grow, the company remains deeply committed to nurturing its world-class culture while expanding its innovative SaaS solutions to new markets.

The post Fast Track Celebrates Fourth Consecutive Great Place to Work® Certification, Maintaining High-Trust Workplace appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Groove

In, Out, Shake It All About: Groove Technologies and InOut Games Partner to Rattle the iGaming Cage

Published

20 hours ago

November 24, 2025

George Miller

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

Groove Technologies, the powerhouse aggregator renowned for its elite content portfolio, today announced a strategic distribution partnership with breakout studio InOut Games, the creative force behind the viral sensation Chicken Road. This move integrates InOut Games’ innovative content directly into Groove’s vast ecosystem, providing its global operator network with access to one of the industry’s most talked-about new providers.

This partnership arrives as InOut Games makes its highly anticipated leap into the slot market with Chicken Royal. Inspired by the iconic crash game that captivated a global audience, this new slot transports the beloved chicken into a dynamic, feature-rich format. Designed to engage both seasoned slot players and fans of the original, Chicken Royal marks a pivotal “in” for the studio, expanding its portfolio beyond crash mechanics and signaling its commitment to versatile, high-impact entertainment.

With the addition of InOut Games, Groove’s entertainment ecosystem now blankets over 150 top-tier game providers. Operators worldwide, connected via Groove’s single, streamlined API, will gain immediate access to a catalogue renowned for its fast-paced thrills and unmatched player engagement.

This partnership is a direct reflection of Groove’s strategy to identify and distribute the content that defines the next wave of player preferences.

Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove, said: “Our mission is to keep our partners on the cutting edge, and InOut Games represents exactly the kind of innovative talent that moves the needle. This partnership isn’t just about adding games; it’s about injecting our ecosystem with a unique energy that drives retention and revenue.”

Groove’s enterprise-grade platform, equipped with advanced player engagement tools and real-time analytics, ensures that titles from studios like InOut Games achieve maximum visibility and profitability from day one.

“We are confident this partnership will catapult us to an entirely new level of distribution,” said Vladislav Snak, CEO of InOut Games. “Groove’s reach and technological prowess are the perfect accelerants for our growth as we roll out our expanded portfolio.”

Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO at Groove, added: “The ‘In’ and ‘Out’ of success in this industry is having the right content with the right partners. With InOut Games, we’re not just bringing a studio in; we’re helping to phase out the ordinary. Their bold transition into slots is a game-changer, and through our platform, that change will resonate across the entire operator landscape.”

The post In, Out, Shake It All About: Groove Technologies and InOut Games Partner to Rattle the iGaming Cage appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.