Games Academy students shine at The Rookies
12 September 2025
Three students from Falmouth’s Games Academy have reached the finals stage of The Rookies, an international awards platform celebrating emerging talent in games, animation, visual effects and design.
Game Art BA students Jack Ferrari and Izzy Foo, and Computing for Games BSc student Louis Ashton were all named finalists. Their achievements place them among some of the most promising early-career artists and developers worldwide. Two animation films also received recognition, as mentioned in this news article.
We caught up with the students to find out more about their projects and the recognition.
Iz Foo – Environment Art projects
You’re just finishing second year and already a finalist at The Rookies. How does it feel to have your work recognised at this level so early in your journey?
It truly feels unreal. I didn’t realise it at first – I found out through a friend texting me congratulations while I was folding the washing. I’ve worked hard to improve over my second year, but I never imagined the payoff would be recognition like this. I’m grateful to the judges for seeing potential in my work.
Can you tell us a bit about the concept behind your entry?
Both pieces in my entry aimed to provoke curiosity. I wanted viewers to feel a sense of “what just happened?” and to leave them with unanswered questions. I love storytelling through environments; a setting can add so much depth, history and foreshadowing. That’s something I’m continuing to develop as I move into third year.
How did you tailor your submission for industry expectations?
I focused on showing a varied skillset and process, but kept it concise. I used only my larger environment pieces because they demonstrated employable skills. Quality over quantity felt like the right approach.
How did the Game Art BA course and Games Academy staff support you?
The open briefs have allowed me to pursue the techniques I’m curious about. The staff have been incredibly supportive, patient, and generous with their knowledge. And a shout out to the security team, who are always locking up while I’m frantically finishing for the day!
Links
Louis Ashton – Break: The Game
What is Break: The Game?
It’s a misadventure game where you play as a retro 2D fighting character stranded in an unreleased 3D dungeon. Your only guide is a sarcastic undead narrator, and your only tool is your fists. The fun comes from breaking puzzles in ways that were not intended.
Why do you think it stood out to The Rookies judges?
Our ambition. Comedy and meta-design are tough to pull off in games, but thanks to our team’s writing and design, we managed it. The laughter we got at the Falmouth Games Expo was the moment we knew it had worked!
What were the creative challenges?
The biggest challenge was making the 2D and 3D art styles clash in a deliberate way. We wanted a stark contrast. The fists are bright and pixelated, while the dungeon is dark and detailed, and that disharmony became central to the game’s identity.
How did the team make sure every voice was heard?
Kodie Holland and I helped lead, but the real strength was that every team member’s ideas made it into the game. You can see everyone’s fingerprints on the final product.
Any staff shout-outs?
Joseph Walton-Rivers was a fantastic supervisor. He helped us refine scope, guided us through challenges, and always had a programming pun at the ready.
Links
Jack Ferrari – Spiderwick Manor and El Dorado
How did it feel to become a double finalist?
Completely unexpected. Even entering was daunting, because the standard at The Rookies is so high. To be recognised in two categories, including one partnered with leading game developer Remedy Entertainment, was overwhelming and rewarding.
Tell us about your projects.
Spiderwick Manor was part of a second-year module, where I recreated an environment from a film. I loved sleuthing out Victorian props to add character.
El Dorado was a self-led brief. My first idea lacked direction, so I reworked the concept around the “Dorado Fish” and golden mythology. That shift unlocked the project, letting me explore new workflows like animation.
What did you learn from the experience?
It taught me not to hold onto an idea too tightly. Sometimes going back and reframing a project makes it far stronger.
How has being part of the Games Academy helped your practice to develop?
I had no prior game art experience before coming here, but the course gave me the foundations I needed. The support of staff and peers has been invaluable, and I’m excited to push my skills further in my final year.
Links
Draft successes
Alongside the finalists, several other Games Academy students were recognised in The Rookies Draft:
- Andy Aksu – Brine
- Jennifer Bradshaw – Environment Art
- Juliette Stevens – 3D Character Art
- Louisa Bennett – Abandoned Cemetery
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