The 2021 Orwell Youth Prize has expanded its entries to game concepts and narrative, alongside original sections poetry, fiction, and essay writing.

Young people now aged between 13-18 can submit a concept or narrative to the annual competition.

The Orwell Youth Prize is an annual competition for students culminating in a writing prize and the youth program of The Orwell Foundation.

Alex Talbott, Programme Manager of The Orwell Foundation said ‘We’re really excited to expand The Orwell Youth Prize into gaming. We believe that gaming and game development is fertile ground for thinking about politics and society’

‘It aligns with our mission to open up the awards to new voices.’

The Game Category

The Orwell Youth Prize recognises the importance of gaming as a storytelling tool, game narratives as a platform over the past year have granted an opportunity to engage young people to be educated and inspired.

In 2021, the Youth Prize is focusing on the theme of ‘A New Direction Starting Small’ and wants young people to use their own ‘inquiring eye’ to create a gaming concept or narrative relating to this theme.

‘I’m delighted to see game narratives being recognized for their value in parallel to other forms of literature, from poetry to fiction, and essay writing.’ said Dan Bernardo, Founder of Playtra Games, and the newest addition to Youth Prize judging panel.

‘Games industry is at a tipping point in terms of new routes and opportunities to explore new forms and ways to tell stories now and in the future’.

Participants of the competition are offered the space to get their work published, have experts and writers respond to their work, get recognised by professionals, receive feedback from gaming industries, and win books for themselves and their school.

The Game Industry

After the first lockdown, the gaming industry saw young people and families turn to games for escapism, entertainment but also surprisingly education.

Gaming sales in 2020 rose 20% and surpassed $180 million, highlighting the potential gaming has to encourage action and engage young people in current topical issues.

‘George Orwell asked tough questions of himself’ said Professor Jean Seaton, Director of The Orwell Foundation.

‘He was a master storyteller, so it feels natural to launch a games strand, would George have played? For sure.”

The Orwell Youth Prize

The Orwell Youth Prize is an initiative of the UK charity, The Orwell Foundation, and is rooted in George Orwell’s values of integrity and fairness.

Orwell’s work has motivated and encouraged writers and campaigners, in fiction, journalism, and politics but also within the gaming industry.

Game designers and narrators are still developing ideas from Orwell’s insight and imaginative work particularly from his novels ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’.

Imre Jele, Co-Founder and Creator-in-Chief of Bossa Games said ‘Gaming, like any community around an art form, is a broad and diverse one. However, this community is particularly active, filled with passion and passionate views’

‘The Orwell Youth Prize opens up a new route for young creatives with imaginative perspectives to expand the boundaries of gaming and interactive storytelling in new forms’ ended Jele.