Brisbane game developer, Tiger Collins, to attend San Francisco Game Developers Conference

No sleep, high stress — things that sadly go with a career in gaming nearly became what killed off a Brisbane pro’s international takeoff after a bout of Covid changed his life forever. Here’s how he keeps winning.

A young Brisbane game developer is calling on community support to seize a golden opportunity to showcase his work internationally, following a hindering diagnosis.

An aspiring Brisbane game developer has secured an opportunity to share his works with international industry leaders in America, amid a shocking diagnosis that could have prevented him from living his passion.

Tiger Collins, 25, has had his sights set on making an impression in the software developing world since his teenage years, studied a Bachelor of Game Development and is employed by Gameloft, Brisbane’s premier game developers.

Mr Collins was awarded a scholarship from the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco in March 2024, where he could learn from industry leaders and present his own works, working towards his dream of becoming one of the veterans he admires.

In December 2021 he received a shocking epilepsy diagnosis, detected by constant seizures doctors believe were brought on by contracting Covid-19.

He spent three weeks in hospital undergoing multiple tests, with doctors fearing his episodes could be meningitis.

Mr Collins’ diagnosis was “out of the blue”.

“It was completely out of the blue and I had no family history or symptoms,” Mr Collins said.

“My life has changed dramatically as I can no longer drive and cannot go to the gym or a swimming pool without supervision.

“It has hindered me, but luckily my triggers aren’t photosensitive so I can continue doing what I love without being impacted by flashing lights,” he said.

Mr Collins said he has had to restructure his life as stress and sleep deprivation, much of the routine of a game developer, can trigger seizures.

Mr Collins said he will have the chance to network with industry leaders from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony at the conference.

“I get so much enjoyment out of it, from getting an idea in my head working and seeing it come to fruition and realising that it’s something I get to do is pretty amazing,” Mr Collins said.

“The games industry is very hard to get into so being able to secure my job at Gameloft and this conference in America is a dream come true, despite a rollercoaster last few years,” he said.

Mr Collins has started a GoFundMe page to assist with his trip to the conference, if you can donate click here. 

Mr Collins said his success was humbling and he was proud of how far he had made it.

“I’m doing everything I can to get the funds together, if I can’t go now I could wait years for another invite,” Mr Collins said.

“This fundraiser is me shooting for the stars,” he said.