A team of Year 11 students from Penarth;s Stanwell School, Robert Russin, Daniel Brenan and Taliesin Jones, have been selected as 2025 BAFTA Young Game Designer finalists.

Their game Battle Beat, which sees the player fight their way through musical levels, with a new soundtrack and beats on every level, is nominated in the category for 15–18 years old game makers.

Every year BAFTA runs the Young Game Designers competition, supported in 2025 by industry giants Criterion Games, EE, Hasbro, Playstation and Warner Bros. Games. The aim of the competition is to encourage participants into games careers, and to make the industry more accessible to young talent.

Team leader Robert Russin, who was also nominated for an award in 2024, said: "I've loved working on such a unique game. It's been a great learning experience, and I can't wait to see what people think of it!"

Taliesin Jones, who composed some of the music for the team's game, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be a finalist in this year's Young Game Designer competition. I'm looking forward to meeting many other like-minded individuals (and their games)."

Daniel Brenan, who helped develop the game's concept said: "It's been an enriching experience to channel our interests into our game, and I'm excited to see how others have done the same."

The winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Wednesdaym 18 June with entries judged on their design and suitability for their chosen platform. All the finalists will demonstrate their games at the YGD Showcase at BAFTA's iconic Grade II Listed headquarters, 195 Piccadilly, London over the weekend of 28th–29th June.

All the games nominated can be downloaded and played from 2025 Young Game Designers: 'Game Making' Finalists - Bafta