Sheridan students shine at NEXT, showcasing excellence in game design and development

Sheridan students and graduates have once again taken top prizes at the Ubisoft Toronto NEXT Challenge. 

This year’s awards brought in talent from diverse disciplines including Game Design, Game Level Design, Animation, Visual Effects, and Game Programming.  

Notably, Sheridan swept the Game Level Design category for the second consecutive year. Sheridan students have taken first place in the category every year since it was first introduced – a remarkable seven-year streak.  

Sheridan’s entries captured both first and second place in Event Scripting, marketing the first year this category was introduced as part of the competition. 

“The faculty are incredibly proud of our students’ annual performance at NEXT. Ubisoft provides a tremendous opportunity for students and graduates across Ontario, and it is fantastic to see our students succeeding,” said Jeffrey Pidsadny, program coordinator of the Honours Bachelor of Game Design program. “Their accomplishments are a testament to the quality of our programs and the hands-on learning experiences that we deliver.” 

Award Highlights: 

Technical Art 
2nd Place: Deegan Kosen – Game Design (3rd Year) 

Concept Art
2nd Place: Dean Zuberi Africa (Computer Animation ‘23) 
3rd Place: June Lee  (Animation)

Event Scripting (New Category) 
1st Place: Joyce Yun Yin Lin (Game Level Design Graduate ‘23) 
2nd Place: Chenyao Shi (Game Development Advanced Programming '23) 

Game Level Design 
1st Place: Calvin Ip – Game Design (2nd Year) 
2nd Place: Tiphane Chong – Visual Effects 
3rd Place: Lucas Diab – Game Design (4th Year) 

Technical Animation 
2nd Place: Xiaoying Qiao (Computer Animation / Digital Creature) 
3rd Place: Chenyao Shi (Game Development Advanced Programming ‘23) 

“These successes underline our commitment to industry-relevant education and the transformative opportunities provided by faculty with extensive industry expertise driving real-world projects,” added Theresa Scandiffio, Associate Dean, Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design. “Our students are not just learning; they are leading the way in the digital creative space.” 

 
Are you ready to launch your career in the digital creative space? Explore Sheridan’s cutting-edge programs in Game Design, Animation, Visual Effects, and Game Development Advanced Programming. Discover how our industry-relevant, hands-on learning experiences can propel your future — join a community that’s been setting the standard for excellence. Learn more about our programs and see where your creativity can take you.