Apps to Xbox conference could draw 10,000 to city

Platform 2012, which combines education, business and fun, is aiming to attract up to 10,000 visitors to the University of Hull over the weekend of March 17 and 18. It is hoped the second annual conference, which will have experts covering subjects from script writing to app development, will kick-start careers in digital gaming, an industry bigger than Hollywood.

Organiser Lindsay West, the managing director of Garthwest Ltd, said: “It is a full weekend where delegates can meet people who are at the cutting edge of this massive global industry, as well as taking part in a full programme of fun, games-themed activity.”

Mr West, whose clients include Universal Studios, Sony Music and The X Factor, added: “Many people are not aware that the University of Hull has one of the UK’s most respected computer games degrees and its students are regularly approached by global names in the business.”

Speakers include Charles Cecil MBE, of Revolution Games, Mark Estdale of dialogue production team OM, and the writer and designer Steve Ince. Entertainment includes a LAN gaming event, where computers are connected over a local area network to allow real-time competitive playing. For more visit www.platformexpos.com.