GameHorizon and other significant UK development agencies collaborate in harmony to bring State of Independence conference to the UK games industry.
Hull, UK / GameHorizon, the gaming network that represents the North East of England, are working collaboratively with regional development agencies from other areas of England to present the business focused one-day conference, State of Independence.
Development agencies representing at least 4 different regions of the UK have united to create an historic one-day business conference, State of Independence, which will help independent UK games developers understand the benefits and best routes to market with self-published games.
The one-day conference is being organized by GameHorizon and Game Republic, the trade association for the games sector in Yorkshire, but is being sponsored by NorthernNet. The NorthernNet project is helping games and creative companies collaborate through physical connections across the north. Over 50% of the companies attending the one-day conference will be representatives of the various northern regions of the UK.
GameHorizon and Game Republic have previous experience of working together on the precursor to the State of Independent conference, Northern Exposure (in 2007), as well as other joint initiatives and knowledge transfer schemes. Charles Cecil, MD of York-based Revolution Software where the one-day conference is being held, and founder member of Game Republic, will be chairing this important self-publishing conference. Charles has been heavily involved in the design of the programme and is leading the revolution in self-publishing.
North West Vision & Media, the regional development agency representing the North West of England, as well as fledgling games network for the West Midlands, Game Central have also thrown their muscle behind this must-attend one-day conference.
Carri Cunliffe, Head of Games, GameHorizon anticipates what will be an exciting conference, “It’s great to see so many of the independent developers coming together to explore the best ways to retain more of their IP and to market their online self-published games. The event will have some leading speakers and we are expecting over 200 delegates to attend. While the one-day conference might be titled 'State of Independence', we are united as regions in championing the needs of the UK games development industry. GameHorizon in particular welcomes the coordinated approach to events and company support”.
Enda Carey, Head of Games and Content at North West Vision added, “Through our NorthernNet programme, we provide support to a number of games development companies in the North West that have already made the transition to self-publishing. With the State of Independence conference we hope to provide the spark of inspiration that will lead to more companies taking the brave step into self-publishing, seizing creative control over their game ideas”.
Games Central, a new games network representing the West Midlands region and supported by regional screen agency, Screen West Midlands, are appropriately funding the session on finance at the one-day conference. With its creation, one of the key objectives of Games Central is to encourage local games companies to collaborate.
Jason Hall from Screen WM and Game Central acknowledged the anticipated outcomes of this coming together, “The West Midlands has a rich games development heritage and is home to a number of established global players, and our £5m Digital Media Fund offers significant opportunities for the sector. At the same time, emerging digital publishing channels are providing opportunities for a new breed of agile games development company to create something fantastic and take it to market directly. Game Central is delighted to support The State of Independence conference as it will empower this new breed of games development company”.
As well as giving developers a greater understanding of the brave new world of digital self-publishing and advice on how to succeed, State of Independence will be an ideal opportunity to network with other independents, investors and buyers, as well as unwind at the industry party.
Date: Thurs 8th April 2010
Location: York, Race course Gymcrack Suite (Ebor stand) Start of Conference: 09.30am Thursday 8 April 2010 Finish of Conference: 5.30pm Thursday 8 April 2010 After Party: 6.30 – until late
Speakers already confirmed for the one-day conference include Charles Cecil (Revolution), Paul Farley (Tag Games), Patrick O’Lunaigh, (nDreams) and Ed Vaizey, MP (Shadow Minister for Culture) – with more big names to follow.
For more information about the conference and to book places, visit http://www.state-of-independence.net/ A Super Early Bird discount starting at £75 is available until 16 March 2010, with bigger discounts available to GameHorizon and Game Republic members.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled on www.thirteen1.com for further announcements to the speaker list and updates as the one-day conference comes
