Matthew Hogarth: Remembering a Passionate Gamer and MDS Student
The Matthew Hogarth Scholarship is awarded to students studying Game Development at Media Design School who have shown exceptional dedication and talent in the field of Game Art and Game Programming in their first or second year. It was created to honour Matthew's memory and to support future students in pursuing their dreams in the gaming industry.
Matthew Hogarth was a student in the Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art) programme in 2019, where he pursued his passion for gaming. Sadly, Matt passed away during his studies after a courageous battle with cancer. His love of gaming, creativity, and his commitment to his studies inspired his peers, lecturers, and friends alike. Today, we remember him and his legacy through the Matthew Hogarth Scholarship that has been created in his honour.
Matt was a passionate gamer, and his love of games drove his studies. He was always eager to learn and improve his skills, and he never let his illness dampen his spirits. Despite the challenges he faced, he remained dedicated to his studies and continued to work towards his goals. His positive attitude and resilience inspired his classmates, and his impact on the program was profound.
“Matt always made an effort to come in, even when struggling with his health, not only to be committed to his studies, but also to his peers and friends. He enjoyed the collaboration of working with people, especially when everyone would try to bring each other’s work,” said Izaac Betts, Junior Environment Artist at A44 Games.
This year, the scholarship includes a mentorship with Wellington studio A44 Games, creators of Ashen and Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn. This mentorship is poetic, as a number of Matt’s friends and former MDS classmates now work at the studio.
“Working with other incredible people to make games has been such an awesome and rewarding experience at A44 and we're excited to help others follow the same dream that Matt, and all of us had,” said Anton Le Prevost-Smith, Junior Game Programmer at A44 Games.
This special scholarship will be awarded annually to students who have demonstrated the same level of dedication and passion that Matt had for gaming and creative technology. The scholarship not only provides financial support for their studies but also serves as a reminder of Matt's legacy and the impact that he had on those around him.
“Something that Matthew always said was ‘if times get too tough, never give up, keep moving forward’. It was something he certainly did,” said Matt’s mother, Louise.
Matt's story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, one can achieve great things. His dedication to his studies, his passion for gaming, and his positive attitude in the face of his illness are an inspiration to us all. The scholarship that has been created in his honour is a testament to his legacy, and we hope that it will inspire future generations of students to follow in his footsteps.
Matthew Hogarth was a remarkable person who touched the lives of those around him. The scholarship that has been created in his name is a fitting tribute to his memory and a testament to his impact on the Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art) and the Bachelor of Software Engineering (Game Programming).
We will always remember Matt and the legacy that he left behind.
You can find out more about the Matthew Hogarth Scholarship and others HERE.
