Rejection - Narrative Design - Seeking Feedback

I was recently rejected for the Global Talent Visa under exceptional talent and I could use some advice:

Key Facts:

  • 20 years of game development experience, 6 of those most recently in Narrative design. I went for Exceptional Talent rather than promise as it seemed that applied most due to how long I’ve been in the game industry. Perhaps exceptional promise would have been better.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Letter from the Director of UK games company that’s been around for 20 years, from a former Creative Director of Ubisoft, and one from the Design Director of Scopley

Mandatory Criteria (MC)

  • BAFT Nomination for the most recent game I worked on in 2024
  • Guest on the Hidden Levels Podcast

Optional Criteria 2 (OC2)

  • Examples of Mentorship both at Ubisoft and through a Narrative Awards program.

Optional Criteria 3 (OC3)

  • BAFTA Nomination from 2017 a game I worked on, the five year restriction read like it only applied for the MC section, so that’s why I included it.
  • Chapter of a book I wrote for a RPG that shows my skills as a narrative designer. It is my most recent work.

Additional Criteria

  • Three different chapters for books I wrote

Note that I do have the paperwork for a company I co-founded where I act as the lead designer on a game project, but my understanding is that can’t apply as evidence even though I’m both a shareholder and a found. So, I’m a little confused by the last point. I put the details about the company in the application form.

Any thoughts about how I might appeal this or rejigger my evidence to re-apply would be appreciated. A lawyer I was speaking with seemed pretty confident that I’d get it from an initial review of my documentation, but I didn’t have them do a final review due to cost.

Here is the feedback:

Hi @Jonathan_Breese

Firstly I would like to clarify that if you have 5+ years of experience overall, TN will automatically assess you for Talent and not Promise. Also, irrespective of whichever route you apply to, TN decides the assessment. I applied to Promise but was awarded Talent.

You cannot add any new evidence or new information in the appeal. You can only refer to original application.

The feedback clearly shows lack of enough evidence, dated example (> 5 years old), lack of third-party proof, low engagement on the link to media you provided, and one-off evidences showing not a consistent track record. It will not be worth appealing in this scenario. Would be better if you strategise your application and apply with a stronger application that demonstrates the criteria.

I would also urge you to take opinion from the lawyer you consulted since you mention they were very confident. Ask them if they would draft an appeal and are confident of appeal’s success? If not, they would never be confident in the first place - TN guidelines clearly mentions you cannot use evidence > 5 years old, one-off evidences aren’t counted, any media without significant engagement is weak and no third-party evidence is risky as well. It also seems like you did not have enough evidences to prove the criterias.

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What constitutes a consistent track record and not a one-off event then? Teaching classes? Can I choose to reapply with new or restructured evidence?

consistent track record = example judging at multiple events over last 5 years and not just 1-2.

Yes ofcourse you can reapply - ensure you work on the feedback given and incorporate it into your application to not land in the same situation.

Based your list of evidence, you didn’t share enough evidence and your eidence didn’t show a track record. for instance 2024 evidence is considered recent you need to demonstrate a track record of contribution in the sector. You may actually have a record of contribution but you have not provided depth in your application. Also your public profile may not have suggested you have visibilityof an ET leader.

I also tink you need to take your time to read the tech nation guide. There are some notes yu missed out, first you repeated the BAFTA evidence in MC and OC3, your evidence should be unique. also your OC3, there is no reference letter from your employer or co-founder dtiling your significant contribution to the company, no metrics to quantify you impact. You need to take some time and submit vaiety of evidence to meet the criteria.

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There were two separate BAFTA Nominations. One for a game that was up for best mobile game in 2017, and a second that was nominated in 2024.I hadn’t considered the message from a co-founder might be effective, because they guide said that co-founding a digital technology company didn’t count as a piece of evidence. It was simply stated I had to have founded one.

The guide does not mention that cofounding a company is not a valid evidence… it’s a valid evidence and you should include it in your next application if you reapply.

Sharing the TN guide link here again for reference Tech Nation Visa Guide - Tech Nation

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