Serious Games Showcase 2025

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Changing the game with inclusive design: BSU student wins big at Serious Games Showcase

Friday, 29 August, 2025

BA (Hons) Games Development student Blue Lonnie triumphed at the Serious Games Showcase and Challenge Europe (SGSCE) this July, taking home the ‘People’s Choice’ and ‘Most Innovative’ prizes with her game, TacTides.  

As the sole student representing Bath Spa University at the awards, going up against independent games studios from across the country, the pressure was certainly on for Blue. But her unique game, dreamt up in her third year ‘Serious Games’ module, captured the attention of the judges.  

TacTides is a multiplayer strategy boardgame with a poignant purpose; teaching its players Grade 1 Braille through play. Created to act both as entertainment and as a crucial learning opportunity, TacTides was highly regarded at the SGSCE for its masterful handling of inclusive design practice. 

A SGCE representative said:  

“By combining accessible design with thoughtful mechanics, [Blue] has created a game that promotes inclusion, strategy and real-world impact." 

Over the last few decades, there has been a steady rise in inclusive game design. Subtitles, screen brightening, and controller vibration settings are often taken for granted now, but these accessible options took years of campaigning to achieve. With boardgames, a non-disabled person can easily overlook cards with small text, colour-coded game pieces, or quick-response games, but in a disabled persons’ reality, these factors could mean the difference between being able to play the game or not.  

Game designers like Blue who are creating gaming experiences with disabled people in mind are setting a new precedent of inclusive, diverse design for a more accessible future.

Speaking on Blue’s talent for her craft, BA (Hons) Games Development lecturer Milenne Tanganelli said: 

“Blue is an exceptional student who consistently thinks outside the box. There’s truly no limit to her creativity... Her work is not only conceptually powerful, but also artistically rich - blending visual storytelling with meaningful design.  

“She has a unique ability to shine a light on topics that are often overlooked or underrepresented, bringing attention, meaning, and even beauty to what many might ignore or dismiss... we’re incredibly proud to see her talent recognised at DSET.” 

Looking to make waves in the games industry with your own ideas? BSU’s BA (Hons) Games Development could be the degree for you.