THREE Kilwinning teenagers narrowly missed out on the top prize at a prestigious London awards ceremony. 

Jordan Power and Karl McCrae, both 17, and Joseph Reynolds, 16, were shortlisted for their challenging adventure game, as part of The BAFTA YGD awards, a nationwide game design competition for 10-18 year-olds. 

It aims to inspire the game designers and game-makers of the future by giving young people the chance to design and create their own game and develop it with industry professionals.

The game developed by the youngsters, Abandoned Mines, is a randomly generated re-playable semi rogue-like side-on adventure with enemies to shoot at and bullets to dodge.

Players control a character named Phil who has a magic slingshot and uses it to attack enemies. The goal of the game is to go through all the levels, defeat any bosses you encounter and win.

In the 15-18 year old category for the Game Making Award, the eventual winner was named as Daniel Smith, aged 18, from Gateshead in Tyne and Wear, with the game Spectrum. 

There were also categories including a Game Making Award for 10-14 year olds, as well as the same two age categories open for a Game Concept Award. The winners were revealed at a special awards ceremony held at BAFTA’s headquarters, 195 Piccadilly in London on Saturday.

In a message of support to all the young finalists, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, President of BAFTA, said: “When I met the winners of the 2015 competition, I saw for myself the remarkable game ideas and game-making skills of young people today and I am once again very impressed by the unique ideas of this year’s finalists.

“The games industry continues to be one of the most successful, creative and fastest growing in the country and I am pleased to see so many young people taking advantage of this exciting opportunity – one which could well launch their careers as the next big thing in British games.”

The Duke also praised the high entries through schools “highlighting the enthusiasm by teachers and educators to consider games a viable career.”