A ‘BRIGHT and talented’ graduate who was a leading computer game developer has died suddenly in his sleep.

Chris Taylor, 24, from Hoghton, who passed away on Sunday, June 5, had recently landed his dream job in Manchester and was one of the designers of the Lego computer games.

Chris graduated in 2015 from the University of Bolton after studying games design.

He gained first class honours and achieved the highest average grade in his year before securing a job at Travellers’ Tales Games, working on the Lego games.

Staff at the School of Creative Technologies there have paid heartfelt tributes to him.

Lecturer in games art Beverley Bright said: “Chris seized life with both hands.

“He did everything with complete commitment and always with a smile.

“He was one of the loveliest students I taught.”

Senior lecturer in games design and games art Chris Bateman said: “Chris was every inch the model game design student, committed to his studies, an excellent team player but equally capable of working alone, and producing outstanding work in every conceivable area of study.

“After graduation, he was soon snapped up by TT Games, who recognised his talents and gave him a chance to fulfil his dream of working for the games industry.

“We will never forget this rising star who has sadly been taken from us too soon.”

Senior lecturer Judah Smith said: “It was so good to see him and his close group of friends get everything that they worked so hard for.

“It makes it all the greater loss that he got to enjoy his triumphs for too short a time. I’ll always miss Chris and remember him fondly.”

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the cause of his death. An initial post mortem examination did not conclude a cause of death and further tests were requested.

Chris’ funeral will take place at Charnock Richard Crematorium, Preston Road, Chorley, on Monday, July 4 at 2pm.

Chris’ family has also set up a GoFundMe for anyone who wishes to make a donation in his memory: gofundme.com/28ewh2k.