For Chukwuyenum, or Yenum as he prefers to be called, games programming has been a way of life. From studying games programming at university to joining his campus’s game creation society, to releasing his own projects in his spare time, game development has long been a dream for Yenum. When graduation arrived, Yenum found himself facing the same barrier so many emerging developers know too well; he needed a pathway into the industry. So applying to the IG50 was the next best step to gain visibility, credibility, and a platform to show what he could do. Winning the IG50 delivered exactly that. And that’s not all. As part of our Boost 2025 programme, a selection of our IG50 winners were offered real, paid opportunities at game studios. And so, Yenum teamed up with the programming department at Tanglewood games, getting to work on real projects within a professional environment. Yenum flourished during the Boost programme. Mark Storey, Associate Lead Programmer at Tanglewood said Yenum “exceeded my expectations of what an intern would be capable of…one of his first tasks was documentation, and it was better than some documentation that's written by people who have been in the industry for years.” Not only did Yenum get experience with this placement, but the studio also benefited greatly from his time there. Since then, Yenum has focused on building his own space in the industry by founding his own indie studio, and publishing Meowsic on Steam. “I’ve also expanded my presence in the industry by speaking at two public events and a workshop,” he says, “and showcasing my work at four game events/expos.” His advice to anyone considering applying to IG50 would be to “Go for it, even if you feel unsure. Stay consistent, keep building, and share your work, those small steps add up more than you think.”