Digital gaming takes city's centre stage

Alexandra Wood

From Apps to Xbox, digital gaming will take centre stage in Hull next month.

Organisers are hopeful the first annual conference of its type will kickstart careers in digital gaming, an industry bigger than Hollywood.

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Around 100 delegates, including many from local sixth forms, have already booked a place at Platform 2010.

The event, which takes place at Hull Truck Theatre on March 25, includes seminars by industry experts, a showcase for local talent, competitions and game plays

Joint managing director Lindsay West, of Garthwest Ltd, which designs instore marketing for the home entertainment industry, is organising the conference in partnership with World Trade Centre Hull & Humber. He said there was no reason why new talent could not be fostered locally.

Mr West, who is also chairman of World Trade Centre Hull & Humber’s advisory group, said: “There’s no reason why it can’t be set up somebody’s bedroom or garage.

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“Maths and physics have always led to steady careers like accountancy, but kids with an aptitude for sciences suddenly have a gateway into a whole new industry.”

Speakers include Dr Jon Purdy, computer science expert at the University of Hull, Jake Hapgood, author of The Game Maker’s Apprentice and animator and game creator Arif Majothi.

A dozen delegates will also have a chance to show off their skills and abilities, be it programming techniques or games in development, during the conference.

There will also be awards for the best gaming ability, which will be tested on a big screen, and for the best character creation.

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Dr Purdy from Hull University, who will be delivering a seminar on the history of gaming, said that the industry in the UK grew massively on the back of the expertise of enthusiastic amateur developers.

He said: “That was in the days when one person could make and sell their own computer games. With the development of the iphone, Microsoft’s XNA and the popularity of casual games, the days of the small developer are back.

“Platform 2010 fills a niche in that it explores the tools and technologies available to new talent. We hope the conference will play a major role in stimulating the next generation of games developers in the region."

People can apply for a place at the conference or for the Showcase by registering at Platform2010.co.uk.