Celebrating National Video Games Day

At Into Film we have long been interested in the use of video games as a storytelling medium, and the strong links between video games and film. That's why we're delighted to be celebrating National Video Games Day this 12 September.

Much like film, we believe that games can be a wonderful learning tool, and we've previously explored in detail the many reasons educators across the UK should be incorporating games into their teaching (alongside film, of course!).

That's why we're excited to celebrate National Video Games Day this 12 September with the launch of our new Games programme.

Our Games programme combines ready-to-use resources to engage learners with activities that will draw on their existing (and often vast!) knowledge of storytelling in games to develop critical analysis and storytelling skills of their own. To support educators, our Games programme includes brand new resources, guidance and training to support teaching with games, and a curated film list.

Story Builder: Games

Story Builder: Games is a new Key Stage 3 resource, the latest part of our ever-popular Story Builder resources - a series of ready-to-go activity packs to support young people in exploring storytelling. This latest resource has been created in consultation with BAFTA and the Family Gaming Database to support young people to develop their own game ideas and narratives.

Whatever the subject or topic, you can use Story Builder: Games to apply learners' knowledge of game narratives and structures to create stories for a curricular-focused game, while developing literacy skills. Learners will create characters, relevant settings, meaningful stories and more, all based on their research and understanding of their focus area.

Northern Ireland Offer

Thanks to funding from Northern Ireland Screen, Into Film Northern Ireland (NI) can provide an exclusive offer of free printed Story Builder: Games resources and workshops to schools in NI. A limited number are available. If you're based in NI and want to request resources or a workshop, please contact us at games@intofilm.org.

Young people across Northern Ireland could also be in with a chance of winning a Nintendo Switch Lite and other great prizes with our NI Games Review Competition. Download our free NI Games Review resource for further details and to access the entry form.