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TIGA reveals shortlist for UK Games Education Awards 2023
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 29th 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 29th.”
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.
brand-partnership
G2 names Skin.Club official skin partner for its CS2 team
Skin.Club branding will appear on G2 jerseys, social channels and content series, with in-person activations planned.
G2 has partnered with Skin.Club as the official skin partner for its Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) team, with the deal spanning team jerseys, content and live experiences.
Under the agreement, Skin.Club will feature on G2’s CS2 team jersey as an official partner. The partnership also includes logo placement across G2’s social channels and integration within content series throughout the year, plus a “series of in-person activations,” according to the companies.
“Partnering with Skin.Club marks an exciting step forward for our G2 CS team,” said Alban Dechelotte, CEO of G2. “We’re always looking to work with brands that genuinely understand the Counter-Strike community, and Skin.Club brings both passion and innovation to the space. Together, we aim to create engaging experiences for fans while continuing to push the competitive ambitions of our roster.”
“At Skin.Club, we’re focused on creating experiences that bring the Counter-Strike community closer together,” said Dan Tar, CMO of Skin.Club. “Collaborating with G2 allows us to work alongside one of the most iconic teams in esports and deliver new ways for fans to engage. Drive, Love, Counter-Strike!”
Financial terms and the partnership duration were not disclosed.
The post G2 names Skin.Club official skin partner for its CS2 team appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
GGPoker
Marius Kudzmanas wins WSOP Europe Main Event for €2m
WSOP says the €5,300 Main Event drew 2,617 entries and created a €13.085m prize pool, the largest open event in European history.
Marius Kudzmanas has won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Europe Main Event, taking home the €2,000,000 top prize and the WSOP Europe Main Event Champion’s gold bracelet, WSOP announced on April 11, 2026.
WSOP said the €5,300 Main Event attracted 2,617 entries and generated a €13,085,000 prize pool, calling it the largest open event in European poker history.
Across the wider WSOP Europe festival, WSOP reported more than 80 countries represented, 15 WSOP gold bracelets awarded, over €39,500,000 in prizes, and 15,779 total entries across all bracelet events.
WSOP also highlighted Switzerland’s Anna Eggenberger winning the inaugural WSOP Europe €1,000 Ladies Championship for her first bracelet, topping a 197-player field that WSOP said was the biggest ladies championship event ever held outside of Las Vegas.
WSOP executives framed the turnout as a signal of momentum heading into the summer WSOP in Las Vegas, scheduled to run May 26 through July 15. “We are absolutely thrilled with the phenomenal success of this year’s WSOP Europe, which has set new parameters for poker on the continent,” said Ty Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of WSOP. Gregory Chochon, Chief Operating Officer of WSOP, added: “This edition of WSOP Europe was the best yet, and we’d like to sincerely thank all of the players, dealers, staff, partners, and media that came together to make the festival so special. A core WSOP goal is to continually refine and improve our events – with that in mind, we can’t wait for the action to kick off next month in Las Vegas!”
The post Marius Kudzmanas wins WSOP Europe Main Event for €2m appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Casino Operators
LuckyStreak adds Popiplay slots to LuckyConnect aggregation API
Deal makes Popiplay’s 75+ game portfolio available to LuckyConnect customers, with new releases auto-synced via the platform.
LuckyStreak has added Popiplay to its iGaming content aggregation API solution LuckyConnect, expanding the aggregator’s third-party slots catalogue. The partnership was announced on 13th April 2026.
Under the deal, Popiplay’s full games library becomes available to LuckyConnect customers “instantly, with no additional technical work required,” according to LuckyStreak. The company said new Popiplay titles will be auto-synced with customers’ game management systems as they are released.
Popiplay, founded in 2022, is a Scandinavian slots studio with a portfolio of more than 75 games. LuckyStreak highlighted mechanics across the catalogue including Bonus Buy and Chance x2 & x3.
Rory Kimber, Commercial Director at LuckyStreak, said: “Popiplay is a great example of the new wave of studios building content for how players actually engage today. Their focus on performance, streamer appeal, and player-first design makes them a strong addition to LuckyConnect and highly relevant for operators targeting modern audiences. We continue to build a portfolio that balances proven performers with ambitious, high-growth providers, and Popiplay fits that strategy perfectly.”
Almir Kudic, CCO at Popiplay, said: “Partnering with LuckyStreak is an important step for us as we continue to grow our distribution. It gives us the opportunity to bring our games to a wider audience while working with a partner that shares our focus on quality and player engagement. We’re excited about what we can achieve together.”
The post LuckyStreak adds Popiplay slots to LuckyConnect aggregation API appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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