The University of Essex is working in partnership with the Eastern Enterprise Hub to nurture the next generation of games developers through a new Games Hub; a programme for individuals living in Essex who have an interest in making games or starting their own studio.
The programme, which starts on Wednesday 29 October, will take place at the Parkside Office Village – part of the Knowledge Gateway at the University of Essex. It will see individuals working together as part of a team to design, plan and develop a game. Each team will have a structure covering the key pillars of development including programming, design, art and production.
Simon Mead, CEO at the Eastern Enterprise Hub said: “With more and more people wanting to work in the game design and interactive entertainment industries in Essex, the EEHub - in collaboration with a number of organisations in the area - sees this new programme as a way to develop new business.”
After finishing the course, which is fully funded and therefore free to applicants, the teams will be able to show their game to invited media, funders and publishers with the aim of getting investment to take the game to market.
The University of Essex is renowned for its work on intelligent gaming and the use of artificial intelligence in game design and has teamed up with colleagues at the universities of York and Goldsmiths to develop a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Intelligent Games and Game Intelligence (IGGI). In 2012, a team of games developers from the University won the national Virgin Media today 100 Day Game project competition and developed their own app Super-Fluid.
Professor Simon Lucas, who leads the Games Intelligence Group at the University’s School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, said: “We are really pleased to support this programme as the games industry offers so many opportunities to developers with the right skills and exciting ideas. Our students are delighted to have the chance to join the Games Hub and work alongside other gamer developers and entrepreneurs who want to create the next big game.
“We are looking forward to sharing our knowledge, expertise and industry know-how with people joining the Games Hub.”
The EEHub will also be working with Essex County Council, Colchester Borough Council, Shark Infested Custard, Birketts and BDO to deliver the programme.
Steven Huckle of Shark Infested Custard said: "The Games Hub is a way for people and teams who want to make video games to come and work with and alongside industry experts. It will give them a unique opportunity to develop an idea and help start building the games industry in Essex."
To apply for the Games Hub, please contact Heidi Love, Learning Manager at the EEHub on heidi.love@eehub.co.uk or call us on 01206 755166.