Ukie times - GDC 2015
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Transcript of Ukie times - GDC 2015
What’s happeningWednesday 4th March:5.00pm-6.00pm: UKTI tax breaks session at the British Consulate. Invite only.Ask stand staff for details6.00pm-8.00pm: VIP UK drinks reception at the British Consulate, hosted by Multiplay, GameBench and Next Gen Skills Academy. Invite only.Ask stand staff for details
What’s on the UK Stand37 UK games businesses on the UK industry stand>> page 8
Thanks to our stand sponsors Marmalade, Unity and UKTI
Brought to you by
Tax breaks in the UK:£47 million spent in first six months
Tax Breaks: How easy are they to claim?>> page 4
Next Gen – new paths for new careers>> page 6
The UK industry numbers>> page 6
Exclusive features inside: Come and visit us in the South Hall at stand 1916
The tax breaks are finally here and things have got off to a brilliant start. Figures from the BFI have revealed that within the first six months of the tax relief being implemented, 32 games received final or interim certification, meaning that they can claim tax relief. These games have amounted to a total spend in the UK of £47 million. Ukie CEO Dr Jo Twist commented “It’s great to see such a strong start for the games tax relief scheme in such a short period of time,
showing £47million in UK spend. This is just the start though. With a total global market that will soon be worth over $100 billion, it is clear there is a lot more development happening that this tax relief could be bringing to the UK.” With such a positive start to the tax breaks, there are more reasons to do business with the UK. Dr Twist gave us her take on why the UK is full of opportunity. “The UK is a fantastic place for games businesses. We have the
creativity, innovation, skills and talent as well as a world class business environment to create globally successful products. We are starting to see more studios appearing and thriving than ever before and global businesses are investing in quality UK talent. We are well on our way to the top of the global games leader board.”Read on to find out more about the opportunities the UK has to offer your business.
Ukie CEO, Dr Jo Twist
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• Audiomotion• Big Bit• BillyGoat• Blackstaff Games• Celtic
Productions• Cubic Motion• Delta DNA• Fat Pebble• Freedman
International• GameBench• GLITCHE.RS• Green Man
Gaming• Iglu Media• Inlifesize• Italic Pig• Marshmallow
Entertainment• MIDAS• Milky Tea• Multiplay• Next Gen Skills
Academy
• Northern Ireland Screen
• Oysterworld• Pineapple
Software• Playground
Games• Quick Hands• Rantmedia
Games• Stafford Bawler• Sugar Creative
Studio• Troll Inc• Ukie• UKTI• Vi-Ability
Educational Programme
• Wales Interactive• Welsh
Government• West Coast
Software• Winged Monkeys• YoYo Games
On the UK Stand: Ukie staff at GDC
Dr Jo TwistCEO
@Doctoe
CEO
Jenny BrammallCommunity &
Engagement Assistant
@Ukiejenny
Richie EnticknapCommunity & Public
Relations Officer
@ukielexRichard Enticknap
@ukierichie
Turn to page 8 for full listing
Stand opening timesWednesday March 4th: 10am – 6pmThursday March 5th: 10am – 6pmFriday March 6th: 10am – 3pm
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Tax Breaks: get 20% of your developement costs back...Exactly one year ago, the UK was finally given the green light by Europe for the long awaited introduction of Games Tax Relief. This was fantastic news for the UK games sector, but how easy is the new scheme to use? We have put together this short and simple guide to help you understand how the relief can help your business.
How much can I claim with the scheme?The UK tax relief gives you 25% credit back on your production expenditure - the money you spend on actual development, not including marketing, PR or any other costs.
You can only claim it on the first 80% of those costs, however. This ultimately means that you will get roughly 20% of your production budget back.
When can I start claiming?Right now! You can claim relief on any money you have spent making a qualifying game since the scheme went live on 1st April 2014.
What is the Cultural test?EU rules are very strict on when a country can give direct support to an industry like these tax breaks do. In order to meet these rules, the UK has had to create a ‘cultural test’. Games have to pass the test to qualify for tax relief. The same kind of test is in place for film tax breaks, and for the games tax relief that France has in place – it is designed to make sure that games getting support are adding to or reflecting British or European culture.
The test isn’t as restrictive as you might have heard. You will need 16 out of 31 possible points, and can get points
based on many different factors. The four categories are: the content of the game - story, characters, location etc; the ‘cultural contribution’, such as how it reflects British culture; where it is made; and the nationality of the people who make it.
Will the scheme apply to my business?The tax relief can benefit every type of games developer in the UK, no matter what shape or size.
Unlike in other countries, there is no minimum budget that your game must have and there are no restrictions on the size or type of your company (except being a limited company – see below).
Does the scheme apply to mobile games and new business models?There is nothing at all in the rules that stops a mobile game claiming the tax relief. The Government is aware of the importance of supporting this vital part of the games industry, which will provide so much future growth.
Even more importantly, the tax relief can be claimed for continued post-release development of a game. The Government is aware of how common the games-as-a-service model is in the modern games industry, and will continue to be in future. As a result, you will be able to continue claiming the relief on a game that you keep working on after release.
Do I have to be a limited company to get tax relief?Yes, you must be a limited company and registered in the UK tax system in order to claim the relief. This is because it works as a relief against corporation tax. It only costs £15 (around $23) to register a new company with Companies House, and it can be done quickly and easily online.
There are plenty of other benefits to doing this as well, not least that you will be able to claim back VAT on many purchases.
What do I need to claim the tax relief?1. A certificate that your game
passes the cultural test, which you can get from the BFI
2. Your normal company tax return, in which you will be able to claim the relief
3. Your company statutory accounts
If you don’t feel confident doing this yourself, you can of course get an accountant to help you. This might also help make sure you get the most benefit out of it.
We worked hard to make sure everyone in the industry can make the most from the tax breaks. There has never been a better time to make games in the UK!
More informationView the cultural test here:
bit.ly/1nZmpeV
Download our guide here:
bit.ly/1rEZu8q
Got any more questions about the UK games tax relief?Please contact our fantastic Policy Officer Andy Tomlinson via [email protected] or call +44 2075340580
Why the UK?With over 30 years of experience producing some of the world’s most innovative and commercially successful titles, the UK is a leader in the games industry. We give you five reasons why you should do business with the UK games sector.
1. An attractive base for investment and R&D
The UK is the number one business location in Europe, with a business-friendly policy, regulatory and tax environment. It offers a rich and diverse ecosystem of talented people, trade partners, tax breaks, educational establishments and suppliers.
The UK is also investing in its next generation of games talent. There are more than 106 UK universities providing 300-plus specialist courses in games.
2. A reputation for innovation and creativity
The UK is at the forefront of a number of global trends driving the digital games market, especially the spread of social, massive multiplayer online (MMO) and mobile games variants. The increased availability of super-fast broadband infrastructure, tablets and smartphones is supporting this growth.
Within the more mainstream games segment, UK-produced titles such as Grand Theft Auto, LittleBigPlanet
and Batman: Arkham series have established a reputation for genre-defining originality.
3. The large market opportunity
The UK games sector generates £2bn in global sales each year and contributes almost £1bn to national gross domestic product (GDP), with UK-based studios investing £427m in creating games. Games revenues account for 40.2% of the UK entertainment market.
4. Its international outlook
Overseas trade missions for UK games companies, such as GDC San Francisco and gamescom are enabling small companies to think globally. The UK already provides the European headquarters for global overseas games companies, including Microsoft, Sony, Konami, Take Two, SEGA and many others.
5. The supportive infrastructure
In addition to the UK Government’s future commitment to ensure that 90% of the UK has access to a 24Mbps internet service, games companies operating in the UK already have access to sophisticated support services for games publishing, marketing, server capacity and IT infrastructure.
To find out more about doing business in the UK contact Daniel Wood via [email protected]
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Next Gen Skills Academy (NextGen) is an industry-led education initiative to develop the next generation of talent for the games, animation and VFX industries. It brings together a consortium of 120 companies and industry partners including Double Negative, Framestore, Moving Picture Company, Microsoft Studios, Oculus Rift, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Ubisoft Reflections. NextGen has recently announced £6.5m of investment from both industry and government through the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
Led by Framestore, an Oscar-winning visual effects company, and Amersham & Wycombe College, a leading provider of vocational courses and training, the NextGen will develop and offer new entry level qualifications, higher level Apprenticeships, short courses and online learning opportunities, all designed to meet employers’ skills needs.
The initiative is also supported by a range of stakeholders including BFI, Creative England, Creative Skillset, TIGA and Ukie.
Next Gen – new paths for new careers
+ 64% UK game companies make games for iOS. (Nesta)
+ The free apps with in-app purchase model is king, representing 76% of the revenue share of the UK for apps in 2014. (Distimo)
+ In terms of revenue per download, the UK is best positioned in Western Europe with a potential profit of $0.47 per download. The UK was more profitable than Germany, United States and China in 2014. (Distimo)
+ 52% of all players in 2014 were women. (IAB)
+ 61% of games acquired in the last 6 months were free, and apps are now the most popular video game format played by 55% of the online population. (IAB)
Working with Ukie, Nesta have used a big data approach to measure and map the UK games industry and track its evolution over time. - See more at: nesta.org.uk/publications/map-uk-games-industry
You can find more facts and stats on the Ukie website at: ukie.org.uk/research
The UK is one of the best places in the world to make and sell games. We have the creativity, skills and talent as well as a fantastic business environment to make world class products. We have put together a list of interesting facts about the UK games sector to see what an economic powerhouse it is.
+ There are 1,902 video game companies in the UK in 2014, potentially having a GVA as high as £1.72bn. (Nesta)
+ These companies are spread accross the country with the main hubs including Cambridge, Cardiff, Dundee, Leamington, London and Manchester. (Nesta)
+ The UK games market grew by 7.5% in 2014 to reach £2.5bn. (ERA)
+ The UK games market is bigger than video (£2.2bn) and music £1bn. (ERA)
The best place in the world to make and sell games
Askaboutgames.com, the consumer facing website which helps educate families about games has had a complete overhaul. Originally launched in 2012 when PEGI became the sole legal age ratings for games in the UK, the site has had more than 1 million unique visits and has a thriving and diverse community. The site was designed to be a portal where people can get the information they need to make informed choices about which games to play and buy for their children and families. This includes information on parental controls, age rating, game content and more.
The new overhaul was launched in partnership with the Games Rating
Authority (GRA) and PEGI last month and includes a series of improvements in both usability and information. New content includes two minute game guides, the latest research and statistics from the industry and careers guidance for people interested in working in games. New content is added every week and site editor Andy is always looking for games businesses to get involved with positive stories. The new site will help to bridge the gap between industry and consumers and ensure gaming can be enjoyed safely and sensibly.
Anyone is free and in fact encouraged to use the askaboutgames logo and links on their websites or game packaging for anyone looking to find information on safety controls, advice and games ratings.
All assets can be found on the website: askaboutgames.com
If you have any interesting stories, or just want to get involved then contact site editor Andy Robertson at: [email protected]
Guiding parents through games NextGen has been formed to address
the issues highlighted in the Next Gen Report by prioritising and enhancing the interface between industry and education to develop England’s talent pipeline of skilled employees in games, VFX and animation. It will do this both through a sustainable innovation model for vocational and short course training, and through the development of the next generation of creative pioneers to stimulate growth as well as the diversity of the workforce. By providing a robust alternative to university as a route into industry, the global competitiveness of the industry will be increased.
NextGen have an immediate need for games industry coders, artist, animators, musicians, producers and business development managers to help write the new 16-18 year old qualification with the support of qualification experts and are looking for employers who would be interested in having Apprentices as part of their growing business who will have structured learning for either community management and quality assurance.
Contact us at:[email protected]
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Next Gen Skills Academy Ltd
NeXTGeN- NewpAThS FOr New CAreerS
“This heralds a new era forour creative industries,” Gina Jackson, MD of Next Gen.
The UK Games, VFX and Animation industries
have pooled knowledge, skills and a passion for
innovation to develop new and exciting career
paths for tomorrow’s creative talent. The
commitment to new careers is embodied by
the industry led Next Gen Skills Academy.
In 2015, in partnership with industry, Next Gen
will deliver a new Foundation Course for 16-18
year olds and job specific Apprenticeships. The
Foundation Course will offer an unprecedented
experience, with course work set and assessed
by industry. Over 2 years students will build
their portfolios relevant to industry needs and
as preparation for working in these sectors.
“This heralds a new era for our creative
industries,” says Gina Jackson, MD of Next Gen.
“A joined up approach to education, training
and work will not only create new career paths,
but complement established specialist degree
routes providing greater creative diversity.
Ultimately, Next Gen is about better choices,
better skills and growing businesses.”
@ngenacademy
Next Gen Page Ad_Layout 1 06/02/2015 10:41 Page 1
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BillyGoat Entertainment is a Belfast based video game devel-oper currently working on “Her Majesty’s SPIFFING”, a jovial, space themed adventure game. HM SPIFFING follows the exploits of a crew of astronauts tasked by Her Majesty the Queen to scour the solar system for new planets to add to a new Galactic British Empire. Having been successfully Kickstarted in November 2014 HM SPIFFING will blast off in the Autumn of 2015.
We are looking to meet: Publishers and journalists to show the game we are currently developing.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To secure a publishing agreement for our game.
Web: billygoat.tv
Twitter: @offi cialgoat
Telephone: +44 (0)7860 617928
Address: 51 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6RY
Blackstaff Games is a games development company based in Belfast, UK. We specialise in 2D art and animation production as well as children’s content, from our background in broadcast animation.Our current Project “DogBis-cuit: The Quest for crayons” is a drawing adventure game on iOS, Android and Windows, ready for release in Spring/ Summer 2015. As well as our own content we create leading game design and production for 3rd party IPs and are always looking out for ex-citing new projects that fi t our skills.
We are looking to meet: Publishers, journalists, IP hold-ers, co - productions.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Publicise our current projects and fi nd new future productions.
Web: blackstaffgames.com
Twitter: @blackstaffgames
Telephone: +44 (0)7792 087728
Address: 45 Victoria Place, 20 Wellwood Street, Belfast, BT12 5GE
Big Bit brings console production values to the modile space- we specialise in brand stewardship, innovative game play, progres-sive monetisaton and business models.
We are looking to meet: Publishers, IP holders, brand owners, investors, people who want to make great games
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Build aware-ness of what we do and meet people who want to get involved.
Web: bigbit.co.uk
Twitter: @BigBitLtd
Telephone: +44 (0)1273 704400
Address: Sussex Innovation Centre, Science Park Square, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9SB
Audiomotion Studios are a world class Performance Capture service provider. We are a multi-award winning company, special-ising in the provision of motion capture services to the Game Development, Film and Television industries. Established over 17 years ago, equipped with 160 Vicon cam-eras, head mounted cameras and virtual cameras and based in the largest studio in Europe. Recent games include Alien Isola-tion, Forza, Killzone, Dead Island, FIFA, Far Cry, Alan Wake, Devil May Cry, Castlevania, BRINK, F1. Game trailers include Halo, Call of Duty, Dead Island, Dying Light, Killzone, Total War and many others.Recent movies include Ridley Scotts Exodus, World War Z and Malefi cent.Please get in touch to discuss how we can assist with your next production.
We are looking to meet: Game Developers.
Web: audiomotion.com
Twitter: @audiomotion
Telephone: +44 (0)7773 845774
Address: London Road, Wheatley, Oxon, OX33 1JG
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deltaDNA combines games industry heritage and extensive marketing analytics expertize to deliver dedi-cated tools & technology for gam-ers by gamers. We are passionate about Free-2-Play design, maximiz-ing the true potential of games and improving the player experience by leveraging real-time data.We work with publishers and de-velopers across North America and Europe who subscribe to our deltaD-NA platform. We help them to better understand player behaviors, identify actionable insights to personalize games, improve player engagement and drive long term value.
We are looking to meet: Games developers, publishers and games analysts.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Networking with others interested in discover-ing unique insights available from game data, that improve player engagement, retention and game monetization.
Web: deltadna.com
Twitter: @delta_DNA
Telephone: +44 (0)1314 663690
Address: 25 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA
Fat Pebble are an independent games developer based in Bright-on, UK. All of their games are entirely handmade and hand-an-imated using stop-motion anima-tion. This amazing look has been a massive hit with players, the press and the storefronts alike.Fat Pebble’s first original IP - Clay Jam - has been downloaded over 7 million times, nominated for many awards and featured multi-ple times all over the world.
We are looking to meet: Storefronts (Apple and Google, especially the US people), Asian publishers, journalists, investors.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To show our new demo to people, to get a deal for Asian distribution, in-vestment.
Web: fatpebble.com
Twitter: @fatpebble
Telephone: +44 (0)1273 573823
Address: Citibase, 95 Ditchling Road, Brighton, BN1 4ST
Facial animation services.Producing production-ready facial animation from video footage, motion capture, depth sensors or purely audio.Providers of dense and precise tracking data of performance footage.Licensing of our own software tools.Construction of solvers, produc-ing a mapping between perfor-mance and character data.
We are looking to meet: Game developers.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Business de-velopment.
Web: cubicmotion.com
Twitter: @cubicmotion
Telephone: +44 (0)1618 203431
Address: Rutherford House, Manchester Science Park, Pencroft Way, Manchester, M15 6SZ
Celtic Productions is an entertain-ment company.We make games and comedy TV, “The Secret of Kitty City” is a serial comedy game. Cat Nuns and Kitten School girls in a remote English boarding school. You play as Fluffy Chapman, a girl who has been expelled from 7 schools! Can Creeping Jesus, Sister Mary and The Hermit Nuns sort her out. Play and find out.
Web: kittycityboardingschool.com
Twitter: @flipperportabello
Telephone: +44 (0)7798 524646
Address: 9 Llwyn Y Pia Road, Lisvane, Cardiff, CF4 5SE
GameBench Limited was founded by two ARM employees in 2013. It is an angel funded start up based in the Bristol, UK with strong roots in the mobile industry. GameBench has created indus-try’s first tool for profiling and us-ability analysis of Android games, apps and devices. This unique tool enables developers and enthusiasts to profile games and apps, and visualise metrics such as FPS, FPS stability, GPU and CPU usage, on mobile devices. Collect these metrics on multi-ple devices and view even more in-depth metrics on GameBench’s unified web dashboard. It is avail-able on google play, and coming soon to iOSGameBench’s clients include top phone and chip makers, big pub-lishers and several tech journalists. Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To offer our developer focused GameBench Pro tool and invite them to our new Developer community.
Web: gamebench.net
Twitter: @gamebench
Telephone: +44 (0)7545 333811
Address: Unit 116, Bristol and Bath Science Park, Bristol, BS16 7FR
Freedman International is a global marketing implementation agency working with established multina-tionals such as Electronic Arts, as well as young, fast-growing com-panies like Fitbit and Glassdoor, helping them enter new markets and thrive globally.We take marketing & advertis-ing campaigns to all markets and media ensuring they resonate with the local audience while protecting your most valuable asset – your global brand.We are looking to meet: Games companies in international growth mode: planning to enter new markets, striving to improve their UA and make it consitent across territories, perhaps considering us-ing traditional media etc. or simply trying to implement their global marketing and advertising more efficiently and effectively.Our main aims and objectives of the show are: to connect with businesses we can add value to by helping them grow and thrive glob-ally to their full potential.
Web: freedmaninternational.com
Twitter: @Freedman_
Telephone: +44 (0)2074 634812
Address: 45 Curlew Street, London, SE1 2ND
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Italic Pig is a kickass games com-pany based loosely in the UK & Ireland,made up of a collective cloud of creative, talented and hilarious people. We live, work and eat by the phrase: “Nobody ever got anywhere by thinking medium.”
We are looking to meet: Everybody! Primarily PRESS for the release of Lost Quark on console, secondly FUNDERS/INVESTORS for the potential for Irresistible force, thirdly DEVELOPERS looking for story, characterisation, writing and editing for hire. After that, anyone with a good story to tell.Our main aims and objectives of the show are: to promote the recent launch of Schrödinger’s Cat and the Raiders of the Lost Quark, as well as a collection of exciting new projects for 2015 including The Mulbury Project (post apoca-lyptic survival horror adventure), Cloud Racers (some free-to-play nonsensical racing) and the very early workings of Schrödinger’s Cat and the Irresistible Force.
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Web: italicpig.com
Twitter: @italicpig
Telephone: +44 (0)7979 726519
Address: 1 Old Mill Close, Crawfordsburn, Co Down, BT19 1PP
We are a small team of like-minded ideas people — made up of designers, illustrators and de-velopers huddled together in the sometimes sunny, mostly rainy city of Cardiff, Wales, UK.Marshmallow was born from a desire to build beautifully de-signed, handcrafted games and apps for children and adults alike. It is our outlet for crea-tive ideas tailored towards digital entertainment.
We are looking to meet: Game publishers, merchandising com-panies, entertainment profes-sions, presenters, distributors, translators.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: 1. Showcase our demo for our new title. 2. Meet people in the industries above to form possible partner-ships.
Web: wearemarshmallow.com
Twitter: @we_are_mm
Telephone: +44 (0)2920 003828
Address: 68 Ardwyn, Pantmawr, Cardiff, CF 14 7HE
Inlifesize enables Game Develop-ers to create realistic humans.
Inlifesize has combined its ex-pertise in creating characters for some of the biggest and iconic characters in the film industry with leading face and emotion expert Dr. Erika Rosenberg to create the world’s first compre-hensive facial database, Face-Hopper and its Morphogenesis Solver.
We are looking to meet: Game developers interested in a sneak peek of our technology currently in alpha. We are also actively recruiting R&D engineers.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To engage with reference customers for early ac-cess to our technology.
Web: inlifesize.com
Twitter: @inlifesize
Telephone: +44 (0)7512 361462
Address: 21 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, BT2 8HD
Green Man Gaming, based in the heart of London, UK, is the world’s fastest growing multi-platform digital retailer targeting core gamers through its unique data-driven social commerce website. Green Man Gaming continued its impressive growth in 2013, doubling both unique purchasers and revenue. Green Man Gaming currently sells over 4,500 games from over 250 publishing partners in over 180 territories worldwide, as well as offering PlayStation and Xbox consoles and accessories in the UK.
We are looking to meet: Publishers, rress, developers.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Meet new po-tential business partners.
Web: greenmangaming.com
Twitter: @greenmangaming
Telephone: +44 (0)207 1352270
Address: Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9BB
Iglu Media is a video games devel-oper and publisher, creating games and apps that foster a deeper engagement with video game play-ers. Our team is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with inhouse artists, developers, programmers and producers with backgrounds in video games, VFX and the film/tel-evision industry. We strive to craft outstanding game, app and soft-ware experiences. Iglu is a team that includes BAFTA nominated game designers and artists, as well as producers with extensive experi-ence in both the video game and film industries. We are uniquely placed to create outstanding video games that deliver strong results to our publishing partners, the film and TV industries, investors and most importantly, to gamers.
We are looking to meet: Publishers, Investors.Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To discuss our new development slate and our latest game.
Web: iglumedia.co.uk
Twitter: @iglumedia
Telephone: +44 (0)7530 591900
Address: 44-46 Elmwood Avenue, Belfast, BT9 6AZ
GLITCHE.RS was founded in 2013 with the vision – create incredible entertaining games and productsthat appeal to audiences of all ages.Already the studio has achieved success with the game titles Chippy, Gumulon and Plunder-land.The studio is now looking to grow and create larger scale games across multiple platforms.CONE WARS is playable at GDC 2015, come and take control of an ice-cream truck at the UK stand.
We are looking to meet: Publishers, journalists, platform holders & marketeers.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To show-off our local multiplayer ice cream truck game — Cone Wars.
Web: glitche.rs
Twitter: @glitche_rs
Telephone: +44 (0)7891 773121
Address: 1st Floor, 201 City Road, London, EC1V 1JN
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11Ukie TimesMilky Tea is a UK based game development and animation pro-duction studio. GDC will be the offi cial launch of their latest I.P ‘Coffi n Dodgers’, a unique racing game initially exclusive to the Steam platform. Coffi n Dodgers sees the player take on the role of one of seven quirky retirement village residents as they battle on ‘pimped up’ mobility scooters in a race for their souls against the Grim Reaper and his army of zombies.
We are looking to meet: 1. Publishers 2. Press 3. Investors 4. Consumers
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: 1. Meeting publishers looking to take our game to new platforms 2. Meet press. 3. Meet investors. 4. Meet consumers
Web: milkytea.com
Twitter: @milkyteastudios
Telephone: +44 (0)8450 038159
Address: Studio G01, 12 Jordan Street, Liverpool, L1 0BP
Next Gen Skills Academy (NGSA) is an industry-led education initia-tive to develop the next generation of talent for the Games, Anima-tion and VFX industries. We are developing and offer Higher Level Apprenticeships, new entry level qualifi cations, short courses and online learning opportunities — all designed to meet the skills needs of employers. NGSA has received £6.5m of investment from the UK industry and government.
We are looking to meet: Education providers from across the world who are interesting in running the training qualifi cation we have developed with industry, UK games companies to join our consortium to support the develop-ment of qualifi cations and courses to meet the needs of games developer, publishers and service providers.Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To fi nd new partners to work with across the globe.
Web: nextgenskillsacademy.com
Twitter: @ngenacademy
Telephone: +44 (0)7827 890389
Address: C/o Amersham and Wycombe Colllege, Stanley Hill, Amersham, Bucks, HP7 9HN
Multiplay is a gaming services company specialising in online host-ing and live events. In the world of online hosting, Multiplay work with a variety of industry-leading clients, helping to deliver their products to the people who need them through our extensive global network, com-plete server management tool Clan-forge®, and various highly devel-oped elastic hosting solutions. When it comes to events management and services, Multiplay is a proven and experienced deliverer. Helping to run such events as Mojang’s Mi-necon and Jagex Studio’s Runefest, Multiplay’s expertise can be applied on any scale from basic equipment rentals to fully produced live stage and broadcast environments.We are looking to meet: Developers, publishers, and tech-nology partnersOur main aims and objectives of the show are: To introduce new businesses and partners to our unique technologies, and talk about how we can collaborate further.
Web: multiplay.com
Twitter: @Multiplay
Telephone: +44 (0)2071 001337
Address: Unit 7 Whitefi eld Business Park, Lepe Rd, Southampton, SO45 1XR
MIDAS is a world-class investment promotion agency (IPA) providing free confi dential services and pro-fessional advice to connect inves-tors with our extensive network of contacts, creating opportunities and ensuring business success.If you would like any information or advice on Manchester as a busi-ness location please get in touch at [email protected] are looking to meet: Any international and UK businesses looking to expand into the UK or Europe who may want to consider Manchester as a potential location to set up a business location.Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Helping crea-tive companies who are looking to expand into the UK/EU by provid-ing information about the business benefi ts of setting up a business in Manchester UK or collaborat-ing with Manchester businesses. MIDAS provide free and confi den-tial packages of advice for potential investors into Manchester and also offer aftercare support to recent investors into the city region.
Web: investinmanchester.com
Twitter: @MIDAS_MCR
Telephone: +44 (0)7725 372233
Address: Churchgate House, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU
The company moved to Treforest in 2013 with the support of the Welsh Government. Oysterworld is a developer and publisher of online and downloadable video games. With the support of the Welsh Government it is moving its Garden Party online children’s virtual world game to 3D and bringing its Hidden Object Puz-zle Adventure products to Wales. The company has built a team of around 50 in the last year and foresees this team growing over the coming months.
We are looking to meet: Established games companies and IP owners who may wish to partner in the development of further HOPA games titles at our Treforest studio.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To meet po-tential distribution partners for our games and to meet potential funders for future titles.
OYSTERWORLDWeb: oysterworldgames.com
Twitter: @Oyster_World
Telephone: +44 (0)7836 630093
Address: Suite 6, Unit 3, Melin Corrwg Business Park, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat, Treforest
Northern Ireland Screen is the government-backed lead agency in Northern Ireland for the fi lm, television and digital content indus-try, driving global growth through boosting our economy, celebrat-ing our culture and enhancing our children’s education. We aim to establish Northern Ireland as an at-tractive place for international de-velopers and publishers to invest.We are looking to meet: Developers and publishers who are seeking to expand their production capabilities and fi nd complemen-tary fi nance to fund their content productions and to meet with publishers and investors looking to work with independent developers.Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To fi nd a partner to establish a large scale video game content production in Northern Ireland, engaging key industry tal-ent in supporting the development of the games development cluster in Northern Ireland and to support a number of investors, publishers and distributors in identifying key indigenious content projects.
Web: northernirelandscreen.co.uk
Twitter: @NIScreen
Telephone: +44 (0)2890 232444
Address: 3rd Floor, Alfred House, 21 Alfred Street, Belfast, BT2 8ED
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I am an award winning sound designer with over 17 years experience in the Video Games Industry. My work can be found in over 60 published titles such as Colin McRae Dirt,Sonic & Allstars Racing Transformed and Forza (3,4,5). Perhaps most notably, I was the creator of the sound effects and music com-position for the award winning Monument Valley (from UsTwo Games) alongside the Forgotten Shores and Red Dream Expan-sions. I have worked in nearly every genre of video game on almost every major plaform since the late 1990’s.
We are looking to meet: Game Developers.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Find develop-ers to work with and create awe-some audio for their games.
Web: uk.linkedin.com/in/staffordb
Twitter: @staffordbawler
Telephone: +44 (0)7957 540048
Address: 16 Fairways Crescent, Fairwater, Cardiff, CF5 3EA
Rantmedia Games is based in Cardiff, Wales, was formed in 2011 and has gone on to become a premier independent games company with an emphasis of creating games that are easy to pickup, highly addictive and have lots of attention to detail.In addition to making success-ful games for others, Rantmedia Games also develops and pub-lishes its own original titles, for example, Vectrex Regeneration – an immersive compilation of classic retro titles from the early 1980s.
We are looking to meet: Representatives from Apple, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. Also IP owners looking to capi-talise on our experience bringing old IP to new platforms
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Industry net-working & insights, promote our business
Web: rantmediagames.com
Twitter: @rantmediagames
Telephone: +44 (0)2920 399189
Address: 22 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9LJ
Pineapple Software engages with businesses to design and develop beautiful and compelling mobile apps and games to empower users and consumers to maximise their engagement with and enjoyment of mobile technology. The com-pany was born out of a passion for improving user experiences using mobile devices on Android and iOS platforms, and builds on extensive experience of software architec-ture, design and development.We are looking to meet: Industry professionals, vendors, potential investors.Our main aims and objectives of the show are: 1) increase the profile of our company; 2) under-stand more about latest tools and products available to maximise productivity and cost efficiency in delivering mobile games and apps in this highly competitive mar-ket; 3) explore opportunities for potential investment to help grow the business; 4) be inspired by networking with industry profes-sionals.
Web: pineapplesoftware.co.uk
Twitter: @PineappleSoftUK
Telephone: +44 (0)3303 326284
Address: 17 Kyle Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF14 1SR
Playground Games was estab-lished in 2009, bringing togeth-er some of the most experi-enced and talented developers from the UK industry, with the vision to create big budget con-sole titles for a global audience.From these relatively hum-ble beginnings, we now oc-cupy three floors in our state of the art studio in the centre of Leamington Spa, with more than 100 staff making up the Playground family.We don’t intend to become the largest studio in the world, but we do intend to become the best. Our debut title, Forza Horizon, released in 2012, was met with critical acclaim and commercial success; winning 18 Driving Game of the Year awards.Our latest title, Forza Horizon 2, takes players onto the next generation of console hardware with stunning results, marrying incredible visuals with thrilling gameplay.
Web: playground-games.com
Twitter: @WeArePlayground
Address: Royal Leamington Spa Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 4EA
Quick hands Ltd have developed an interactive fight bag filled with sensors to measure speed of hit, force of hit and accuracy of hit against predetermined fight com-binations.The standalone fight bag suits ei-ther boxing or mixed martial arts and in training mode helps users develop muscle memory through the use of training drills.In competition mode individu-als can fight either predeter-mined drills or personal drills programmed into the unit. The second player can then fight that same combination to see if they can better the first persons results.Our system allows users to expe-rience boxing and MMA training without the pain of getting hit. It really is boxing and MMA for all.
We are looking to meet: Companies who can help us take our product to mass market around the world.
Web: west-coast.biz
Telephone: +44 (0)7764 86239
Address: 11.1.1 Science Park, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AH
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Secret Sauce delivers business development services including formulating business strategies, facilitating creative workshops, project plans, writing tender responses, pitching to publish-ers and negotiating and agreeing contracts. We will build a strong database of contacts and help you build those “weight in gold” long terms relationships.
We are looking to meet: Games developers, publishers and platform holders and any-one who is interesed in helping event organisers and building networks.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To promote Secret Sauce as a business while meeting new potential clients and further strengthen our company’s database.
Web: secret-sauce.co.uk
Twitter: @SecretSauceLtd
Telephone: +44 (0)7881 833443
Address: Room 44, Gateshead International Business Centre, Mulgrave Terrace, Gateshead, NE8 1AN
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13Ukie TimesSugar Creative Studio is a digital media and creative branding agency. We’re a team of professional de-signers, illustrators and developers based in Cardiff. Since our formation we’ve grown to a large team that now offers a much more diverse range of services, always with a focus on good, solid design. At the core of everything we do is ‘design’, design gives you control and we help businesses send out a clear mes-sage, one that is constant with their brand. We work with established brands and start ups that are look-ing to rebrand or develop what they have. Our services are simply an extension of our core value, a good website, mobile app, brochure or campaign can help to convey your message in whichever media your customers are receptive.We are looking to meet: Likeminded companies and suppliers who can help increase quality of our offering and services.Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To talk to Aug-mented Reality, 3D platforms with a view of integrating them into our own workflow.
Web: sugarcs.com
Twitter: @sugarcreative
Telephone: +44 (0)2920 006776
Address: 3 Cwrt Y Parc, Cardiff Business Park, Llanishen, Cardiff, CF14 5GH
Vi-Ability is a national award win-ning social enterprise that was set up in December 2009, by ex-Ar-senal, Liverpool and Welsh inter-national footballer Kelly Davies.The aim is to develop transfer-able employability and life skills through sport, to bring about positive changes within the lives of economically inactive individuals, residing within disadvantaged com-munities. By positioning learning & supported employment oppor-tunities within the context of the sports industry (commercial man-agement), the vision is to attract interest and commitment from participants who have historically struggled with personal motiva-tion in the direction of training and employment. We are looking to meet: Potential developers and inves-tors for a ‘Football CEO’ gameOur main aims and objectives of the show are: Pitch our con-cept to potential investors (75% already secured)
Web: vi-ability.org
Twitter: @Vi_Ability
Telephone: +44 (0)2920 504123
Address: Regus House, Falcon Drive, Cardiff Bay CF10 4RU
Game development team based in Ireland, Troll Inc develop our own games as well as undertake work for hire projects. We currently have 5 mobile games available with 2 more in final development stages, and 2 games currently being completed for console and PC. We also have a few project still in concept stages which we are seeking publisher support for. Established in 2010 we now have a team of 12 people usually divided into 2 teams, 1 to develop our own IP and 1 for the work-for-hire projects we undertake.We are looking to meet: Console/PC publishers interested in action/puzzler games. Mobile publishers interested in arcade and casual games. Brand managers and teams look for developers. Games media to promote recent release Grand Theft Seagull.Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Connect with PC & console publishers. Connect with mobile publishers. Promote latest release, Grand Theft Seagull to games media. Connect with teams looking for experienced game and app developers.
Web: troll-inc.com
Twitter: @Troll_inc
Telephone: +44 (0)7821 742454
Address: 4-6 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7AB
Wales Interactive is a multi-award winning Indie video games developer and publisher. The last three years has seen the com-pany transform from a two-man operation making Apps into a prosperous 14-strong organisa-tion developing games for all the latest next generation consoles. We pride ourselves in being an unshackled independent develop-er making our own ideas exclu-sively from our Pencoed studio in South Wales. This includes all writing, design, programming, art, music, marketing and we even publish our own titles. In addition we have already devel-oped and self-published 16 other products We are looking to meet: Journalists in order to showcase our latest PS4 and Xbox One title Soul Axiom.Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To promote our latest title, Soul Axiom, and de-velop new business connections.
Web: walesinteractive.com
Twitter: @Walesinter
Telephone: +44 (0)7809 302221
Address: Pencoed Technology Park, Pencoed, Bridgend, Wales, CF53 5HZ
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UKTI works with UK based busi-nesses to ensure their success in international markets through exports. We encourage and sup-port overseas companies to look at the UK as the best place to set up or expand their business.UKTI is a non-ministerial depart-ment.
We are responsible for:• international trade and in-
vestment• helping UK companies
achieve their potential over-seas through exporting
• encouraging investment in the UK by overseas busi-nesses
Web: gov.uk/ukti
Twitter: @UKTI
Telephone: 415 617 1372
Address: 1 Sansome Street, Suite 850, San Francisco, CA 94104
The Association for United King-dom Interactive Entertainment or Ukie (pronounced YOU-KEY) is a trade body that aims to support, grow and promote the whole of the UK’s games and interactive entertainment industry. Found-ed in 2010 (although formerly known as ELSPA), Ukie’s mem-bership includes all the major UK and global games publishers and the best of UK development tal-ent - from promising start-ups to some of the biggest, most suc-cessful studios operating in the UK today. Ukie works with government to champion a range of issues including age ratings, education and skills, access to finance and protecting intellectual property rights. It also works with the me-dia to ensure true and accurate representation of the sector by raising awareness of the indus-try’s positive economic contribu-tion and the societal benefits of gaming to policy makers, regula-tors and consumers.
Web: ukie.org.uk
Twitter: @uk_ie
Telephone: +44 (0)2075 340580
Address: 21-27 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London, WC1N 3NL
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YoYo Games is the home of Gam-eMaker: Studio™, the fastest and easiest to use cross-platform game development technology. GameMaker: Studio™ has been developed with usability and effi-ciency at its core, allowing devel-opers to create games in a single code base and then publish them to run natively across an unprecedented number of plat-forms including Android, iOS, OS X, HTML5, Ubuntu, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Windows RT, Xbox One, PS4, PS3 and PS Vita. The entire GameMaker family of products has been downloaded more than five million times.
We are looking to meet: Developers, manufactures and other tools companies.Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Create new business, meet community and build on the relationships with our existing partners.
Web: yoyogames.com
Twitter: @yoyogames
Telephone: +44 (0)1382 204773
Address: River Court 5 West Victoria Dock Road, Dundee, DD1 3JT
Winged Monkeys is a company specialising in game mechan-ics and design, particularly in regards to narrative design and narrative systems. The company has worked on game mechan-ics and narrative for major AAA titles across all major platforms - including console, desktop and handheld - and in interac-tive television, film, interactive events and in print. It can pro-vide games programming, narra-tive design, narrative direction, games writing and script writing services and has a wealth of ex-perience in many forms of inter-active storytelling.
We are looking to meet: Companies looking to flesh out their games with narrative sys-tems, investors interested in the development of narrative middle-ware and authoring tools, com-panies looking for writing and design services.
Web: wingedmonkeys.co.uk
Twitter: @wingedmonkeys
Telephone: +44 (0)7989 584538
Address: 25 The Philog, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 1DY
Based in Aberystwyth, Wales, West Coast Software was setup in 2013 by Ken Bird, John Jones-Steele and Steve Rose to develop new, innovative games as well as conversions of existing titles to all major systems from Xbox One, PS4 to 3DS, iOS and Android. The company also specialises in fitness software and visualisation. Clients include: System 3, Matrix Sports, iEntertainment Network, Trixter, Pulse Fitness and Cardiff University.Our ability to efficiently prototype and craft quality software comes down to the individuals. At West Coast we believe that collabora-tion and communal input in the development cycle is the key to our success. This has allowed us to train and develop the best tal-ent while developing a core team of dedicated professionals with 77 years of development experience.
We are looking to meet: Companies who need to employ experienced developers who have specialist skills we offer.
Web: west-coast.biz
Telephone: +44 (0)7764 86239
Address: 11.1.1 Science Park, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AH
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Looking for a UK/European base? Wales should be on your short-list, and we can help you find out why. Our business support, skills base, financial incentives, training support, flexible business space, digital infrastructure and minimal levels of red-tape are geared to meet the most improb-able business relocation challeng-es. And we’re a devolved nation - so we act fast, with minimum bureaucracy and maximum flex-ibility. We’re small and joined-up, so every sector has strength in depth from private companies, Government and academia all working together.
We are looking to meet: Businesses or individuals looking to set up operations in Europe.
Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To promote the incentives Wales has to offer as a business location.
Web: justask.wales.com/sectors/creative-industries
Twitter: @welshgocreative
Telephone: +44 (0)7805 819914
Address: Creative Industries Sector, QED Centre, Treforest Estate, Pontypridd, CF37 5YRS
15Ukie Times
16 Ukie Times
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