BAFTA nominee returns to West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds to develop new game with current and former students

A double-BAFTA-nominated games designer has gone back to college to help him develop an exciting new project.

Sam Read-Graves, 32, from Hartest, near Bury St Edmunds, previously worked for West Suffolk College.

After describing the school of art and design as ‘phenomenal’, the former lecturer has just employed one current and two former students to help him develop a new game called Task Time.

Prior to this, Sam helped bring two games called Gang Beasts and Splemy to market. Both received BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) nominations.

After creating another product last year called Trolley Problems Inc with former West Suffolk College student Iain Walker, he returned to his former employer for more support.

Iain has been joined by ex-art student Saskia Long and Tyler Davey, a current level three games design student. Tyler, 17 from Thetford, said: “It’s been fun. It’s quite rare to be paid whilst on a college course. It’s cool to work with someone who has got recognition from BAFTA.”

On working with the college again, Sam said: “I think working with colleges and finding young talent is something everyone should do. The school of art at West Suffolk College is phenomenal.

“They are pulling out all the stops to make it the best in the country. It’s a no-brainer in terms of working with them. Also, the students are brilliant – they do things I can’t do.”

On the new game called Task Time, Sam said: “It’s at a very early stage, but we have shown Task Time at events, the reactions have been great and we have had some interest from publishers.”

And on his BAFTA hopes for Task Time, Sam added: “It would be great to get nominated and win an actual BAFTA. I hope it’s a case of third time lucky.”

This project has been funded by the UK Games Fund, a non-profit organisation that supports and helps develop talent and new games.