Cryptonite crowned UK Champions 2018!

Author: Laura.Martin

Four of our regional champions from across the UK headed to Gfinity’s London arena yesterday, to battle it out for the coveted trophy, designed by a father-daughter duo representing Creative Assembly. After fierce competition playing Blizzard’s Overwatch, Cryptonite for The Crypt School came out on top and went home the winners.

Alongside a whole host of supporting Games and Tech sector giants, industry experts such as David Yarnton, director of Gfinity & chair of Ukie Esports Group, attended to talk to students about careers opportunities.

A ‘Careers Insight with the pros’ panel and audience Q&A, also presented students with a chance to find out about the diversity of roles available in the industry, and how to get there. Panellists included Tom Halls, Head of Elite Series for Gfinity, Adam Bird, Esports Partnerships Manager of Belong, Nick Harper COO of Exient and Thomas Miller, Lead Build Engineer of Creative Assembly.

Not only was The Grand Final and tournament itself focussed on providing professional gameplay opportunities for the teams, but also for those who wanted to get involved ‘behind the scenes’, for example as an Event Manager or Tournament Admin.

Besides work experience in these roles - created by real life esports pros in collaboration with DSH - students are also able to obtain proper accreditation to show off after the tournament has ended via iDEA.

Known as iDEA, The Duke of York Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award aims to equip young people with digital and enterprise skills and is another great asset for not only students taking part, but being able to showcase what they’ve achieved.

Student shoutcasters nominated by our pros at the Regional Qualifiers, also took to the stage to showcase their skills, with Daniel Parker, New College Swindon  taking the title of ‘Best Shoutcaster 2018’.

Callum Bones, student of St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy also fulfilled the role of Observer for Gfinity’s Production team, presenting even more breadth to the diversity of roles that students have been able to experience throughout the tournament.

Besides sweet victory, in addition to the bespoke handmade trophy by Creative Assembly, Cryptonite also nabbed a PS4, a framed Overwatch poster signed by Jeff Kaplan and a limited edition Soldier 76 bundle.  There were also medals awarded for runners up with a statue of Overwatch character, Soldier 76, awarded to 1st runner up.

Shahneila Saeed, programme director for DSH said: “After such a successful event last year, there were high expectations to meet again with this year’s Digital Schoolhouse Esports Tournament. The feedback from everyone has been great, particularly about the additional stage we have added this year. By including a regional qualifiers round, we were able to include more schools with the competition this year and reach even more students to engage them with computing.

“We have also been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm and commitment shown not only by the schools and students themselves, but by our sponsors and industry professionals who have gone above and beyond to support us in providing participants with a fun and engaging experience, as well as practical career advice.”

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