A SCHOOLBOY has been given the royal seal of approval after winning an award for creating a video game which will now be professionally produced.

BAFTA revealed this week that 14-year-old Charlie Thurston has been awarded this year’s Young Game Designers (YGD) award and was congratulated by the Prince of Wales.

The teen, from Forest Row, designed Apocalypse Alpha completely from scratch, creating a game where the survivors of a deadly and mysterious virus struggle to stay alive and reach safety.

In addition to coming up with the the storyline, Charlie also constructed the game using computer software.

The Bafta Young Games Designers Awards at BAFTA in Piccadilly was presided over by famous figures from children’s entertainment and gaming, including the hosts: CBBC’s Ben Shires and games journalist Jane Douglas.

Charlie said he was, “absolutely astonished” to have won the award, describing the other finalists’ games as, “incredible”. When asked why he entered, the teenager said: “programming and coding is a real passion of mine.  I didn’t know that the BAFTA YGD was a competition until very recently, and I certainly didn’t think I would get to the final, never mind winning.”

Charlie said he would encourage others to try game design.

He said: “I think all you really need is a good imagination. I mean, if you can come up with a good idea, learning code isn’t all that difficult, you just need to give it some time”.

Now in its sixth year, the BAFTA Young Game Designers award recognises the young talent emerging in one of the UK’s most promising industries.

Speaking in his capacity as President of BAFTA, HRH The Duke of Cambridge said: “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.”

He went on to congratulate the young finalists – of whom a third were girls – saying: “I am very impressed by the unique ideas of this year’s finalists” before highlighting the role of teachers in encouraging students to pursue their passion in games, presenting it as a viable career and art form."

Coming to the end of his tenure as chairman of the BAFTA Games Committee, Harvey Elliott said: “It is a great privilege for BAFTA to play such an active role in nurturing and celebrating the game makers of tomorrow. We are always greatly indebted to the educators who continue to inspire creativity in their students and support the initiative.”