West Midland gaming and digital technology heavyweights will be speaking at an event in Birmingham supporting new businesses hoping to break into the sector.
The Gaming and Digital Technology Day at Birmingham Science Park Aston (BSPA) on November 16 is taking place as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week and will feature speakers from firms such as Rare Games, which has worked on Microsoft’s new Kinect technology, and Leamington firm Blitz Games Studios.
The day will celebrate the ground-breaking work being carried out in the region and discuss the new trends and technologies which will shape the future of the gaming sector.
Speakers from Screen WM, Warwick Business School, Game Central and Birmingham Science Park Aston are also lined up.
Jim Horth, executive producer at Rare, said: “It is essential that the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators continue to utilise new technologies and talent emerging from the region’s universities.
“As the games industry merges closer with the digital world it will be increasingly important to collaborate with digital and creative professionals, which is why we are delighted to be working with Birmingham Science Park Aston to promote the innovation agenda and harness fresh game development talent right here in the Midlands.”
Philip Oliver, chief executive officer of Blitz Games Studios, said he was keen to help new firms break into the industry.
“When we founded Blitz some 20 years ago there was little or no structured support offered to technology entrepreneurs, so we have always been committed to offer our time and knowledge to new entrants to our industry,” he said.
“For example, our own Blitz 1UP initiative has helped scores of new indie developers to bring their games to market.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the next generation of talented individuals during Global Entrepreneurship Week and hope we can offer them constructive advice and inspiration.”
The other firms speaking include The Serious Games Institute, fish in a bottle and Soshi Games.
The event will also showcase more than 15 high tech start-up firms which are currently members of BSPA’s Entrepreneurs for the Future incubation scheme.
Matthew Hidderley of Birmingham Science Park Aston said: “Continuing to support and develop the knowledge economy is going to be a crucial tool for our region’s growth and future prosperity.
“The West Midlands boasts over 21 per cent of the UK games workforce and has become an unrivalled hub for games, serious games and interactive digital media.
“Initiatives like ours aim to nurture this industry and provide the environment start-ups need to succeed.
“We are delighted to be putting this showcase event on for over 150 people and thank our partners Birmingham City Council, Screen WM and Aston University for their continued support.”
