FEATURE: 30 Under 30

The UK video games industry is filled with ambitious young talent who quickly establish themselves within the trade – but who are the most prominent rising stars? MCV profiles the brightest talent of 2011.

Johnny Chiodini
Age: 23
Video Producer, GameSpot UK
Chiodini produces the video content for GameSpot UK. Since joining back in May, the former ITN gaming editor has taken the host role for daily broadcast Start/Select and co-created the UK’s first mobile games show Appetite for Distraction. MCV readers will also remember his smack-talking videos from this summer’s THQ fitness challenge.

Elliott Linger
Age: 28
Senior European Product Manager, SCEE
Recently promoted, Elliott has been instrumental in a successful year for Sony’s European arm. He has helped manage the launch of DC Universe Online, Infamous 2 and best-selling FPS Resistance 3. Elliott was responsible for leading the campaign for the latter, which saw UK artist Olly Moss create the stylish packshot design.

Faye Le Duc
Age: 26
Marketing and PR Manager, Gem Creative
Despite only joining Gem back in May, Le Duc has already made an impact on the company and her peers. Described by colleagues as brilliantly organised” with an infectious positivity”, she is commended for both her work ethic and her creativity when working on vendors’ marketing plans.

Adam Merrett
Age: 23
UK PR Assistant, Capcom
Merrett spent a year as an intern at the publisher, before leaving to finish his degree. Having proved himself to be dedicated and reliable, he returned to Capcom as UK PR Assistant. He is due to take on additional responsibilities in the near future, with the publisher lining him up to be solely responsible for all PR duties.

Mike Bell
Age: 18
PR and Marketing Manager, Insert Coin
The youngest to make it into 2011’s 30 Under 30, Bell is quickly becoming a recognisable face in the industry. He works at gamer-themed outfitter Insert Coin Clothing and even indulges in a little freelance journalism. Mike is described by many as highly professional” – despite his reliance on ‘your mum’ jokes and Glee quotes”.

Alison Worrow
Age: 29
Ecommerce Retention Manager, GAME Group
Worrow joined the games industry back in 2006 as online marketing assistant at GAME. Since then, she has worked her way up the ranks and developed strong relationships with the leading retailer’s various clients, who champion Worrow for her boundless enthusiasm” and in-depth product knowledge.

Adam Young
Age: 24
National Account Executive, EA
Young’s colleagues have welcomed his enthusiasm and gaming knowledge since he joined EA’s UK & Ireland sales team. He has taken a lead in internal forecasting and managing various stock control projects. His superiors deem him to be a key member of the team and describe him as definitely one to watch in the future”.

Michael Rose
Age: 24
Journalist
The gregarious Rose holds various positions at several high-profile websites. He is UK Editor for Gamasutra, editor-in-chief at IndieGames.com and handheld editor at Pocket Gamer – and that’s on top of his freelance work for Gamezebo and Strategy Informer. He also authored the book 250 Indie Games You Must Play.

Keza MacDonald
Age: 23
UK Games Editor, IGN
After a few years as a prominent freelance journalist, MacDonald is now responsible for the day-to-day direction and operation of IGN UK’s games editorial coverage. Respected by industry professional and gaming enthusiasts alike, she is now gaining a strong reputation internationally thanks to IGN’s global audience. Most recently, her enthusiasm for Namco Bandai’s Dark Souls encouraged IGN to make it the subject of its first 24-hour gaming marathon, which over 50,000 gamers tuned into watch.

Will Beckett
Age: 24
Publicist, Premier PR
Beckett joined Premier PR in 2010, leaving his career at London-based agency Taylor Herring. Since then he has progressed from assistant publicist to publicist, and currently handles Premier’s 2K Games and THQ accounts. This year alone, he has worked on high-profile releases such as Homefront, UFC Personal Trainer, Duke Nukem and NBA 2K12. He is currently working on Saints Row: The Third and WWE 12.

Jack Wallington
Age: 29
Head of Industry Programmes, Internet Advertising Bureau
Wallington started his 12-year career in 1999 when he ran his own digital agency for the entertainment industry. During his time at the Internet Advertising Bureau, he has formed the company’s Games Steering Group, run a number of industry events and established the world’s first Games Ad Spend Study. Most recently, he led the games audience study ‘Gaming Britain’, which found that more than half of the UK population are gamers.

Tom Bramwell
Age: 27
Operations Director, Eurogamer
Bramwell has spent a decade working at Eurogamer. He started as a writer and became editor in 2008. Earlier this year, he was made operations director and is now responsible for the editorial, technology and design teams, leading the development of the site’s recent redesign. His peers say that he more than anyone has defined the tone and market-leading editorial standards” of Eurogamer.

Craig Stephens
Age: 29
PR Manager, NCsoft
Stephens has been part of the MMO specialist’s European PR team for almost two years and is responsible for the company’