Game Anglia conference set to boost the games development sector in Ipswich

Screenshot from Tomb Raider Archant

Organisers of a game developers conference in Ipswich hope the event will help establish the business sector in the town.

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Game Anglia takes place at the Atrium building at the University of Suffolk on Saturday November 18. Game Anglia takes place at the Atrium building at the University of Suffolk on Saturday November 18.

Game Anglia, which takes place at the University of Suffolk’s Atrium Building tomorrow, will see 150 game developers from the region come together to share experiences and get up-to-date with the latest development tools and techniques.

The conference will also feature a number of industry speakers including award-winning scriptwriter and story designer Rhianna Pratchett, who is best known for her work on the new generation of Tomb Raider games, and John Romero, the creator of the iconic Doom series.

Representatives from gaming software company Derivco, which has an office in Ipswich, will also be there to talk about the job opportunities at the firm.

This is the first event of its kind to be held in Ipswich and the organisers are heralding it as the East of England’s biggest game development conference.

Scriptwriter Rhianna Pratchett is due to speak at Game Anglia Scriptwriter Rhianna Pratchett is due to speak at Game Anglia

Video game blogger and head of marketing for Game Anglia, Ian Garstang, said the gathering offers an opportunity for talented games developers from Ipswich and the surrounding area to network and explore business opportunities.

He said: “The University of Suffolk has been running courses in game development and design for more than 10 years but typically people coming off these courses have had to look to Cambridge or London for work.

“There is a huge hotbed of talent in the town but they are a disparate community and this event is a chance to bring them together.”

According to industry body Ukie (UK Interactive Entertainment) there are 174 games companies in the East of England with over 50 based in Cambridge. The organisation says UK consumer spend on games and related accessories was valued at a record £4.33bn in 2016, up 1.2% from 2015 (£4.28bn), and outstripping sales in the video and music sectors.

Aside from the talks, the conference will also showcase around 20 indie titles from mobile games to virtual reality.

Members of the public are welcome to drop in, play, leave feedback and vote on their favourites from the day, as well as meet local studios and mingle with like-minded gamers.

The event runs from 10am until 6pm on Saturday November 18. Parking is available in the University of Suffolk car park and will be free to visitors of the event.