Video game coaching is 'like being a football manager'
A man who coaches video game players for tournaments says his job is like being a football manager.The Bafta Games Awards honoured "outstanding creative achievement" in the video game industry on Tuesday, with some of the biggest games from the past year nominated and picking up awards across several categories.James Thomsen from Hempsted, Gloucester, turned his childhood video game passion into a career and has coached teams in London and abroad."There's loads of different ways that people can get into the video game industry and it doesn't just revolve around playing games," Mr Thomsen said.
Mr Thomsen added his dad was a gamer and he followed suit, spending "plenty of time" playing on his PC.He now coaches teams in person and online to play League of Legends, an online multiplayer battle arena game which is one of the most popular in the world.Players compete in tournaments for money and status, Mr Thomsen said."I've coached in person in Twickenham Stadium for a couple of months, I've also coached in Spain, so it's great when you can get people together to make a lot of progress that way, but it's also done online. It's like being a football manager."
'A big difference'
While some people may not have heard of the Bafta Games Awards, Mr Thomsen said the video game industry is "a huge part of our daily lives".He added Bafta recognition could make a "big difference" to developers, especially independent ones, in addition to being a sign of "excellence"."Recognition from Bafta could lead to somebody discovering an indie game that couldn't afford huge advertising," Mr Thomsen said."It obviously makes a big difference to them and I'm sure all of these companies want to do well at an event like this."Helldivers 2, Astro Bot, and Thank Goodness You're Here! were among the games that picked up awards on Tuesday night.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Sheridan Smith looks very different in sneak peek at new must watch BBC drama
Sheridan Smith is set to grace the screens in another BBC drama as she plays the role of Leanne for the five-part series called The Cage that is set in a Liverpool casino Sheridan Smith has had a dramatic image change for her latest role with the actress looking worlds apart from her usual style. The new look comes as BBC released first-look images of its new drama The Cage. The former Two Pints of Lager, Cilla and Mrs Biggs star has morphed into a character called Leanne in the production, that has been written and created by BAFTA nominated Tony Schumacher. The series, which will be shown on BBC One and iPlay follows a high-stakes, high energy crime story that has been set within the world of a Liverpool Casino with two unforgettable characters at its heart. In the new images, Sheridan is seen in a casino worker's uniform. She can be seen standing next to co-star Michael Socha, who takes on the role of Matty. While Sheridan's character is seen donning the golden waistcoat and bow-tie, Michael's is in a black suit and tie combination. The duo will be joined in the five-part series by House of the Dragon's Barry Sloane, and Dope Girls actor Geraldine James. Also featuring will be Anton Bibby, Freya Jones and Sophie Mensah. Abby Mavers, Shaun Mason, Louis Emerick, Ian Puleston Davies, Julia Papp, Katy Carmichael, Dave Hart, Eileen O'Brien, Eithne Browne, and Mona Goodwin also star. In the series, characters Leanne and Matty find they are both robbing from the safe at the casino they both work in. It sets their lives on a collision course with both themselves, the local gangster they're stealing from, and the police. As viewers get ready for the new series, Sheridan's impressive appearance on ITV's Cilla is once again gaining plaudits. The series was initially aired back in 2014, but has recently been added to Netflix, much to the delight of her fans. The three-part series sees Sheridan play the part of the legendary singer Cilla Black. The series looks back at the early stages of the icon's career and explores how her life was transformed upon meeting Brian Epstein, the manager of The Beatles. The official synopsis for Cilla reads: "'Cilla' tells of her rocky rise to fame and will capture the essence of 1960s Liverpool, the atmosphere of promise and excitement as the Merseybeat music scene was on the verge of exploding in a blaze of tight-fitting skirts, stiletto heels, and beehives." It continues: "A young, unknown Cilla works in the austere environs of the typists' pool at a local company, dreaming of stardom. The drama looks at how she met the two men who came to love her and ultimately fought over her - future husband Bobby Willis and legendary manager Brian Epstein, the tragic young businessman who also guided the career of The Beatles. "We learn how Cilla's burgeoning friendship with John, Paul, George, and Ringo - the four young men who went on to conquer the music world - shaped her career. "It was family friend Ritchie Starkey (Ringo), the teddy-boy with a greasy quiff, who helped her to cross paths with Brian Epstein and producer George Martin, who were to launch her career with recording sessions at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios."
Edinburgh Live
15 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Lorraine Kelly in tears as guest stops show to deliver emotional message
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info ITV favourite Lorraine Kelly was moved to tears on her programme today when writer Paris Lees interrupted the live show to deliver a heartfelt tribute to the host. During her appearance on Lorraine to discuss her latest BBC drama, What It's Like for a Girl, Paris took a moment at the end of her interview to acknowledge Lorraine's support for the transgender community, stating: "There is so much hostility for trans people in the trans community at the moment and you've been consistently an ally." Paris praised Lorraine, saying: "We see you and we really appreciate it, you really use your platform for good" which led to an emotional response from Lorraine: "You're going to make me cry." READ MORE - Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice 'waiting in wings' as King William makes 'shake up' READ MORE - Prince William's 'true feelings' on key Trooping the Colour role confirmed Paris assured Lorraine of the impact of her support: "Honestly, not everyone is there speaking up for us. We're less than 0.5 percent of the population and we are under attack. You are using your platform for good and you are a friend." In a touching gesture, Paris said: "I should have brought some flowers or something. I hereby declare you an honorary diva.", reports the Mirror. Visibly touched, Lorraine was seen dabbing her eyes as she gratefully accepted the praise: "I'll take that!". As conversations around ITV cuts unfold, with plans to reduce her show's airtime significantly floating around, Lorraine seemed to send a bold message to ITV chiefs about the future of her daytime slot, having only last week revealed her thoughts on the Proper Tasty podcast with Tom Kerridge. She reflected on her enduring career, saying: "40 years in TV last year was incredible. I got a BAFTA. 'Here's a BAFTA for being alive.' I thought, 'Hang on a minute, I'm not done yet.'". "I think now I can be a lot cheekier. Because I've always been a bit naughty. Not so much in the morning, but if I do a wee show on Channel 4, or The Last Leg, or something like that. You can be unleashed. And I quite like that. You do have to have a self-edit button, and I'm finding mine is not operating as much as it should." In other news, ITV has just launched a spanking new channel this week, despite recently implementing several cuts to its Daytime schedule. The broadcaster introduced ITV Quiz – a channel wholly devoted to showcasing a variety of ITV quiz programmes such as Lingo, Tipping Point, Wheel of Fortune, Tenable, Deal or No Deal, and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Two award winning Brit actors announced for new Harry Potter TV show as Rivals and Ripley stars join cast
The latest names announced combine new and familiar talent hocus focus Two award winning Brit actors announced for new Harry Potter TV show as Rivals and Ripley stars join cast Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THREE award-winning Brit actors have been announced for the new Harry Potter TV show. From HBO, the upcoming series will adapt JK Rowling's novels for a new generation. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 BAFTA winner Katherine Parkinson will play Molly Weasley in the Harry Potter TV show Credit: Getty 7 Fellow BAFTA winner Daniel Rigby is set as Uncle Vernon Credit: Getty 7 Bel Powley has also joined the show's cast Credit: AP 7 Johnny Fynn has been cast in a major role Credit: AP Several new cast members have now been officially confirmed to join the Wizarding World. Among them is Katherine Parkinson, who will be portraying beloved Weasley matriarch, Molly. The actress, 47, is a BAFTA winner for her role as Jen in hit sitcom The IT Crowd. Viewers may have more recently seen Katherine as Lizzie Vereker in raunchy Disney+ series Rivals. Fellow BAFTA winner Daniel Rigby, 42, is set to play Harry's Muggle uncle Vernon Dursley, He won a BAFTA for playing Eric Morecambe in 2011 BBC film Eric and Ernie. Also joining the cast is Bel Powley in the role of Harry's biological aunt, Petunia Dursley. Her past credits include a main role on The Morning Show, opposite Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. Lox Pratt, star of the BBC's upcoming Lord of the Flies, will be playing Harry's school rival Draco Malfoy. Meanwhile, actor Johnny Flynn, 42, will take on the role of Draco's father, Lucius Malfoy. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) Official Trailer He has played real-life figures such as David Bowie and a young Nicholas Winton. Johnny also worked with predecessor Jason Isaacs in 2021 film Operation Mincemeat. Three of Harry's classmates have also been cast - Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, and Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown. Rounding out these announcements is Dalgleish actor Bertie Carvel, 47, in the role of Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Last month, the three screen newcomers playing Harry, Ron and Hermione were officially unveiled. Dominic McLaughlin is set to star as Harry, with Alastair Stout as Ron and Arabella Stanton as Hermione. Harry Potter author JK, 59 - who will also serve as executive producer of the TV series - had her say on the young trio. Writing on social media after the news broke, she said: 'All three are wonderful. I couldn't be happier.' Several major adult roles were already confirmed, including John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore. How to spot a rare Harry Potter book AS JK Rowling's popularity has rocketed, so has the value of the first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. If you think you might have one, then first look to see if Bloomsbury is listed as the publisher on the title page at the bottom. The copy should be a first edition - which will be noted within the first few pages. The latest date listed in the copyright information must by 1997. It should be credited to "Joanne Rowling" and not "J.K Rowling" and carry a print line that reads " 1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1" on the copyright page. There is a mistake on page 53 where '1 wand' appears twice in the list of school supplies Harry receives from Hogwarts, which was corrected in later print runs. For the other titles in the Harry Potter series, it is only the first hardback editions with the dust jacket that have any collectable value. The show will also feature Janet McTeer as McGonagall, Nick Frost as Hagrid, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Luke Thallon as Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse as Filch. Speaking at the time, showrunner Francesca Gardiner said: "We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch." Mark Mylod, who will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO, added: 'We're delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can't wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.' The series is also executive produced by JK Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films. 7 Bertie Carvel is the new Cornelius Fudge Credit: PA 7 The show's three young leads were confirmed last month Credit: AP
