Ukie times - GDC 2015 by Ukie

Tax breaks in the UK: £47 million spent in first six months What’s happening Wednesday 4th March: 5.00pm-6.00pm: UKTI tax breaks session at the British Consulate. Invite only. Ask stand staff for details 6.00pm-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 Stand 37 UK games businesses on the UK industry stand >> page 8

Ukie CEO, Dr Jo Twist

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.”

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Read on to find out more about the opportunities the UK has to offer your business.

Exclusive features inside: Tax Breaks: How easy The UK industry are they to claim? numbers >> page 4 >> page 6

Thanks to our stand sponsors Marmalade, Unity and UKTI

Next Gen – new paths for new careers >> page 6

Come and visit us in the South Hall at stand 1916

Ukie Times

On the UK Stand: • 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

Ukie staff at GDC

• Northern Ireland Screen • Oysterworld • Pineapple Software • Playground Games • Quick Hands • Rantmedia Games • Stafford Bawler Dr Jo Twist • Sugar Creative CEO Studio • Troll Inc • Ukie • UKTI • Vi-Ability Educational Programme • Wales Interactive • Welsh Government • West Coast Richie Enticknap Jenny Brammall Software Community & Public Community & Relations Officer • Winged Monkeys Engagement Assistant • YoYo Games CEO

@Doctoe

@ukielex Richard Enticknap

@Ukiejenny

@ukierichie

Turn to page 8 Stand opening times for full listing Wednesday March 4th: 10am – 6pm Thursday March 5th: 10am – 6pm Friday March 6th: 10am – 3pm

Ukie Times

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 postrelease 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?

More information

A certificate that your game passes the cultural test, which you can get from the BFI

bit.ly/1nZmpeV

Your normal company tax return, in which you will be able to claim the relief

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!

View the cultural test here:

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 andy@ukie.org.uk 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 businessfriendly 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 genredefining 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 dan@ukie.org.uk

Ukie Times

Gen – new paths Guiding parents Next for new careers through 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: editor@askaboutgames.com

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.

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.

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.

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.

The initiative is also supported by a range of stakeholders including BFI, Creative England, Creative Skillset, TIGA and Ukie.

The best place in the world to make and sell games 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. ++

ere are 1,902 video game Th 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)

64% UK game companies make games for iOS. (Nesta)

e free apps with in-app purchase Th model is king, representing 76% of the revenue share of the UK for apps in 2014. (Distimo)

I n 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-ukgames-industry You can find more facts and stats on the Ukie website at: ukie.org.uk/research

Ukie Times

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

NeXTGeN - New pAThS FOr New CAreerS

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.”

“This heralds a new era for our creative industries,” Gina Jackson, MD of Next Gen.

Next Gen Skills Academy Ltd

info@nextgenskillsacademy.com @ngenacademy

Exhibitor listing 8

Ukie Times

D = Developer

Web: audiomotion.com Twitter: @audiomotion Telephone: +44 (0)7773 845774 Address: London Road, Wheatley, Oxon, OX33 1JG

M = Media

Audiomotion Studios are a world class Performance Capture service provider. We are a multiaward winning company, specialising in the provision of motion capture services to the Game Development, Film and Television industries. Established over 17 years ago, equipped with 160 Vicon cameras, head mounted cameras and virtual cameras and based in the largest studio in Europe. Recent games include Alien Isolation, 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 Maleficent. Please get in touch to discuss how we can assist with your next production. We are looking to meet: Game Developers.

P = Publisher

Big Bit brings console production values to the modile space- we specialise in brand stewardship, innovative game play, progressive 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 awareness 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

BillyGoat Entertainment is a Belfast based video game developer 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.

Web: billygoat.tv Twitter: @officialgoat Telephone: +44 (0)7860 617928 Address: 51 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6RY

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.

S = Service

Web: blackstaffgames.com Twitter: @blackstaffgames Telephone: +44 (0)7792 087728 Address: 45 Victoria Place, 20 Wellwood Street, Belfast, BT12 5GE

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 “DogBiscuit: 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 exciting new projects that fit our skills. We are looking to meet: Publishers, journalists, IP holders, co - productions. Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Publicise our current projects and find new future productions.

Ukie Times

Celtic Productions is an entertainment 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.

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, producing a mapping between performance and character data. We are looking to meet: Game developers.

Web: kittycityboardingschool.com

Web: cubicmotion.com

Twitter: @flipperportabello

Twitter: @cubicmotion

Telephone: +44 (0)7798 524646

Telephone: +44 (0)1618 203431

Address: 9 Llwyn Y Pia Road, Lisvane, Cardiff, CF4 5SE

Address: Rutherford House, Manchester Science Park, Pencroft Way, Manchester, M15 6SZ

Twitter: @delta_DNA Telephone: +44 (0)1314 663690 Address: 25 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA

Web: freedmaninternational.com Twitter: @Freedman_ Telephone: +44 (0)2074 634812 Address: 45 Curlew Street, London, SE1 2ND

Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Business development.

S deltaDNA combines games industry heritage and extensive marketing analytics expertize to deliver dedicated tools & technology for gamers by gamers. We are passionate about Free-2-Play design, maximizing the true potential of games and improving the player experience by leveraging real-time data. We work with publishers and developers across North America and Europe who subscribe to our deltaDNA platform. We help them to better understand player behaviors, identify actionable insights to personalize games, improve player engagement and drive long term value.

Web: deltadna.com

Fat Pebble are an independent games developer based in Brighton, UK. All of their games are entirely handmade and hand-animated using stop-motion animation. 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 multiple times all over the world.

We are looking to meet: Games developers, publishers and games analysts.

Web: fatpebble.com

Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Networking with others interested in discovering unique insights available from game data, that improve player engagement, retention and game monetization.

Address: Citibase, 95 Ditchling Road, Brighton, BN1 4ST

Freedman International is a global marketing implementation agency working with established multinationals such as Electronic Arts, as well as young, fast-growing companies like Fitbit and Glassdoor, helping them enter new markets and thrive globally. We take marketing & advertising 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 using 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 globally to their full potential.

Twitter: @fatpebble Telephone: +44 (0)1273 573823

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, investment.

Web: gamebench.net Twitter: @gamebench Telephone: +44 (0)7545 333811 Address: Unit 116, Bristol and Bath Science Park, Bristol, BS16 7FR

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 industry’s first tool for profiling and usability 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 multiple devices and view even more in-depth metrics on GameBench’s unified web dashboard. It is available on google play, and coming soon to iOS GameBench’s clients include top phone and chip makers, big publishers 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.

10 Ukie Times GLITCHE.RS was founded in 2013 with the vision – create incredible entertaining games and products that appeal to audiences of all ages. Already the studio has achieved success with the game titles Chippy, Gumulon and Plunderland. 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. Web: glitche.rs Twitter: @glitche_rs Telephone: +44 (0)7891 773121 Address: 1st Floor, 201 City Road, London, EC1V 1JN

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: greenmangaming.com Twitter: @greenmangaming Telephone: +44 (0)207 1352270 Address: Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9BB

Web: iglumedia.co.uk Twitter: @iglumedia Telephone: +44 (0)7530 591900 Address: 44-46 Elmwood Avenue, Belfast, BT9 6AZ

Green Man Gaming, based in the heart of London, UK, is the world’s fastest growing multiplatform 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.

Iglu Media is a video games developer and publisher, creating games and apps that foster a deeper engagement with video game players. Our team is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with inhouse artists, developers, programmers and producers with backgrounds in video games, VFX and the film/television industry. We strive to craft outstanding game, app and software experiences. Iglu is a team that includes BAFTA nominated game designers and artists, as well as producers with extensive experience 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.

COLOUR ON WHITE WHITE ON BLACK BLACK ON WHITE

Web: italicpig.com Twitter: @italicpig Telephone: +44 (0)7979 726519 Address: 1 Old Mill Close, Crawfordsburn, Co Down, BT19 1PP

Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Meet new potential business partners.

S Inlifesize enables Game Developers to create realistic humans. Inlifesize has combined its expertise 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 comprehensive facial database, FaceHopper and its Morphogenesis Solver.

Web: inlifesize.com Twitter: @inlifesize Telephone: +44 (0)7512 361462 Address: 21 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, BT2 8HD

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 access to our technology.

Italic Pig is a kickass games company 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, PIG ONLY secondly FUNDERS/INVESTORS for FOR SQUARES 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 apocalyptic survival horror adventure), Cloud Racers (some free-to-play nonsensical racing) and the very early workings of Schrödinger’s Cat and the Irresistible Force.

We are looking to meet: Publishers, rress, developers.

We are a small team of likeminded ideas people — made up of designers, illustrators and developers huddled together in the sometimes sunny, mostly rainy city of Cardiff, Wales, UK. Marshmallow was born from a desire to build beautifully designed, handcrafted games and apps for children and adults alike. It is our outlet for creative ideas tailored towards digital entertainment.

Web: wearemarshmallow.com Twitter: @we_are_mm Telephone: +44 (0)2920 003828 Address: 68 Ardwyn, Pantmawr, Cardiff, CF 14 7HE

We are looking to meet: Game publishers, merchandising companies, entertainment professions, 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 partnerships.

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Web: investinmanchester.com Twitter: @MIDAS_MCR Telephone: +44 (0)7725 372233 Address: Churchgate House, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU

Web: multiplay.com Twitter: @Multiplay Telephone: +44 (0)2071 001337 Address: Unit 7 Whitefield Business Park, Lepe Rd, Southampton, SO45 1XR

Web: northernirelandscreen.co.uk Twitter: @NIScreen Telephone: +44 (0)2890 232444 Address: 3rd Floor, Alfred House, 21 Alfred Street, Belfast, BT2 8ED

MIDAS is a world-class investment promotion agency (IPA) providing free confidential services and professional advice to connect investors with our extensive network of contacts, creating opportunities and ensuring business success. If you would like any information or advice on Manchester as a business location please get in touch at martha.sama@midas.org.uk We 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 creative companies who are looking to expand into the UK/EU by providing information about the business benefits of setting up a business in Manchester UK or collaborating with Manchester businesses. MIDAS provide free and confidential packages of advice for potential investors into Manchester and also offer aftercare support to recent investors into the city region. Multiplay is a gaming services company specialising in online hosting 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, complete server management tool Clanforge®, and various highly developed 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 Minecon 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 technology partners Our 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.

Northern Ireland Screen is the government-backed lead agency in Northern Ireland for the film, television and digital content industry, driving global growth through boosting our economy, celebrating our culture and enhancing our children’s education. We aim to establish Northern Ireland as an attractive place for international developers and publishers to invest. We are looking to meet: Developers and publishers who are seeking to expand their production capabilities and find complementary finance 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 find a partner to establish a large scale video game content production in Northern Ireland, engaging key industry talent 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.

Milky Tea is a UK based game development and animation production studio. GDC will be the official launch of their latest I.P ‘Coffin Dodgers’, a unique racing game initially exclusive to the Steam platform. Coffin 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.

Web: milkytea.com Twitter: @milkyteastudios Telephone: +44 (0)8450 038159 Address: Studio G01, 12 Jordan Street, Liverpool, L1 0BP

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

D Next Gen Skills Academy (NGSA) is an industry-led education initiative to develop the next generation of talent for the Games, Animation and VFX industries. We are developing and offer Higher Level Apprenticeships, new entry level qualifications, 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.

Web: nextgenskillsacademy.com Twitter: @ngenacademy Telephone: +44 (0)7827 890389 Address: C/o Amersham and Wycombe Colllege, Stanley Hill, Amersham, Bucks, HP7 9HN

We are looking to meet: Education providers from across the world who are interesting in running the training qualification we have developed with industry, UK games companies to join our consortium to support the development of qualifications and courses to meet the needs of games developer, publishers and service providers. Our main aims and objectives of the show are: To find new partners to work with across the globe.

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 Puzzle 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.

OYSTERWORLD Web: oysterworldgames.com Twitter: @Oyster_World Telephone: +44 (0)7836 630093 Address: Suite 6, Unit 3, Melin Corrwg Business Park, Cardiff Road, Upper Boat, Treforest

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 potential distribution partners for our games and to meet potential funders for future titles.

12 Ukie Times

Web: pineapplesoftware.co.uk Twitter: @PineappleSoftUK Telephone: +44 (0)3303 326284 Address: 17 Kyle Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF14 1SR

Web: west-coast.biz Telephone: +44 (0)7764 86239 Address: 11.1.1 Science Park, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AH

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 company 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 architecture, 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) understand more about latest tools and products available to maximise productivity and cost efficiency in delivering mobile games and apps in this highly competitive market; 3) explore opportunities for potential investment to help grow the business; 4) be inspired by networking with industry professionals.

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 combinations. The standalone fight bag suits either boxing or mixed martial arts and in training mode helps users develop muscle memory through the use of training drills. In competition mode individuals can fight either predetermined 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 experience 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: playground-games.com Twitter: @WeArePlayground Address: Royal Leamington Spa Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 4EA

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 successful games for others, Rantmedia Games also develops and publishes its own original titles, for example, Vectrex Regeneration – an immersive compilation of classic retro titles from the early 1980s. Web: rantmediagames.com Twitter: @rantmediagames Telephone: +44 (0)2920 399189 Address: 22 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9LJ

Secret Sauce delivers business development services including formulating business strategies, facilitating creative workshops, project plans, writing tender responses, pitching to publishers and negotiating and agreeing contracts. We will build a strong database of contacts and help you build those “weight in gold” long terms relationships.

Web: secret-sauce.co.uk Twitter: @SecretSauceLtd Telephone: +44 (0)7881 833443 Address: Room 44, Gateshead International Business Centre, Mulgrave Terrace, Gateshead, NE8 1AN

We are looking to meet: Games developers, publishers and platform holders and anyone 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.

Playground Games was established in 2009, bringing together some of the most experienced and talented developers from the UK industry, with the vision to create big budget console titles for a global audience. From these relatively humble beginnings, we now occupy 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.

We are looking to meet: Representatives from Apple, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. Also IP owners looking to capitalise on our experience bringing old IP to new platforms Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Industry networking & insights, promote our business

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 composition for the award winning Monument Valley (from UsTwo Games) alongside the Forgotten Shores and Red Dream Expansions. I have worked in nearly every genre of video game on almost every major plaform since the late 1990’s. Web: uk.linkedin.com/in/ staffordb Twitter: @staffordbawler Telephone: +44 (0)7957 540048 Address: 16 Fairways Crescent, Fairwater, Cardiff, CF5 3EA

We are looking to meet: Game Developers. Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Find developers to work with and create awesome audio for their games.

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Web: sugarcs.com Twitter: @sugarcreative Telephone: +44 (0)2920 006776 Address: 3 Cwrt Y Parc, Cardiff Business Park, Llanishen, Cardiff, CF14 5GH

Sugar Creative Studio is a digital media and creative branding agency. We’re a team of professional designers, 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 message, one that is constant with their brand. We work with established brands and start ups that are looking 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 Augmented Reality, 3D platforms with a view of integrating them into our own workflow.

Web: troll-inc.com Twitter: @Troll_inc Telephone: +44 (0)7821 742454 Address: 4-6 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7AB

The Association for United Kingdom 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. Founded in 2010 (although formerly known as ELSPA), Ukie’s membership includes all the major UK and global games publishers and the best of UK development talent - from promising start-ups to some of the biggest, most successful studios operating in the UK today. Web: ukie.org.uk Twitter: @uk_ie Telephone: +44 (0)2075 340580 Address: 21-27 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London, WC1N 3NL

Web: vi-ability.org Twitter: @Vi_Ability Telephone: +44 (0)2920 504123 Address: Regus House, Falcon Drive, Cardiff Bay CF10 4RU

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 media to ensure true and accurate representation of the sector by raising awareness of the industry’s positive economic contribution and the societal benefits of gaming to policy makers, regulators and consumers. Vi-Ability is a national award winning social enterprise that was set up in December 2009, by ex-Arsenal, Liverpool and Welsh international footballer Kelly Davies. The aim is to develop transferable employability and life skills through sport, to bring about positive changes within the lives of economically inactive individuals, residing within disadvantaged communities. By positioning learning & supported employment opportunities within the context of the sports industry (commercial management), the vision is to attract interest and commitment from participants who have historically struggled with personal motivation in the direction of training and employment. We are looking to meet: Potential developers and investors for a ‘Football CEO’ game Our main aims and objectives of the show are: Pitch our concept to potential investors (75% already secured)

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. UKTI works with UK based businesses to ensure their success in international markets through exports. We encourage and support overseas companies to look at the UK as the best place to set up or expand their business. UKTI is a non-ministerial department.

Web: gov.uk/ukti Twitter: @UKTI

We are responsible for: • international trade and investment • helping UK companies achieve their potential overseas through exporting • encouraging investment in the UK by overseas businesses

Telephone: 415 617 1372 Address: 1 Sansome Street, Suite 850, San Francisco, CA 94104

Web: walesinteractive.com Twitter: @Walesinter Telephone: +44 (0)7809 302221 Address: Pencoed Technology Park, Pencoed, Bridgend, Wales, CF53 5HZ

Wales Interactive is a multiaward winning Indie video games developer and publisher. The last three years has seen the company transform from a two-man operation making Apps into a prosperous 14-strong organisation developing games for all the latest next generation consoles. We pride ourselves in being an unshackled independent developer making our own ideas exclusively 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 developed 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 develop new business connections.

14 Ukie Times Looking for a UK/European base? Wales should be on your shortlist, 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 improbable business relocation challenges. And we’re a devolved nation - so we act fast, with minimum bureaucracy and maximum flexibility. We’re small and joined-up, so every sector has strength in depth from private companies, Government and academia all working together. Web: justask.wales.com/sectors/ creative-industries Twitter: @welshgocreative Telephone: +44 (0)7805 819914 Address: Creative Industries Sector, QED Centre, Treforest Estate, Pontypridd, CF37 5YR

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: west-coast.biz Telephone: +44 (0)7764 86239 Address: 11.1.1 Science Park, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3AH

Winged Monkeys is a company specialising in game mechanics and design, particularly in regards to narrative design and narrative systems. The company has worked on game mechanics and narrative for major AAA titles across all major platforms - including console, desktop and handheld - and in interactive television, film, interactive events and in print. It can provide games programming, narrative design, narrative direction, games writing and script writing services and has a wealth of experience in many forms of interactive storytelling. Web: wingedmonkeys.co.uk Twitter: @wingedmonkeys Telephone: +44 (0)7989 584538 Address: 25 The Philog, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 1DY

We are looking to meet: Companies looking to flesh out their games with narrative systems, investors interested in the development of narrative middleware and authoring tools, companies looking for writing and design services.

Based in Aberystwyth, Wales, West Coast Software was setup in 2013 by Ken Bird, John JonesSteele 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 collaboration and communal input in the development cycle is the key to our success. This has allowed us to train and develop the best talent 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.

YoYo Games is the home of GameMaker: Studio™, the fastest and easiest to use cross-platform game development technology. GameMaker: Studio™ has been developed with usability and efficiency at its core, allowing developers to create games in a single code base and then publish them to run natively across an unprecedented number of platforms 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. Web: yoyogames.com Twitter: @yoyogames Telephone: +44 (0)1382 204773 Address: River Court 5 West Victoria Dock Road, Dundee, DD1 3JT

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.

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16 Ukie Times

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