Gamers put their design skills to the test last weekend as part of Bermuda Island Games’ Video Game Design Challenge.

This year’s competition carried the theme of butterflies, and competitors were offered advice on the theme from local butterfly expert Ras Mykkal, along with Bermudian Harrison Pink, a senior video game quest designer for Blizzard Entertainment, who addressed the group remotely as a special guest speaker.

A Bermuda Island Games spokesman said: “The event included gamers ranging in age from 7 to 45, who worked in teams to present their idea based on the theme.

“Each team learnt about what goes into building a video game, and how to apply it to their own idea, going from concept art to final and post-release.

“Some of the highlights from this year’s event included Gombeys, bus drivers, swizzle and incorporating AI using ChatGPT into the video-game content.”

Flutter Bermuda, created by Chang See Hyoung, Jordi Posthumus and Max Posthumus, was awarded first place in the competition by a panel of judges from the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation and Horizon Communications.

Bio-Butterfly Evolution, by Evan Nappee, Jonathan Nappee, Alexander Posthumus and Kendra Chatterjee, won second place, while Lost Monarch, by Jakeem Edmead and Joaquin O’Conner, took third place.

Max Kempe was awarded a PlayStation 5 as part of a random draw held at the event.

Adrian Lodge, of Bermuda Island Games, said: “We were very pleased with the turnout this year, and everything went smoothly thanks to the assistance of our volunteers.

“This type of event can be challenging to organise, but it is worth the effort to help inspire Bermuda’s next generation to pursue their passion for video-game development.”

Mr Lodge thanked the BEDC, along with the Government and John Barritt and Sons Ltd for helping to make the event a success. Horizon Communications, Bermuda 3D Printing, Red Laser and Gear and Gadget were commended for offering prizes.