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9:45am
Kristian Segerstrale Super Evil MegacorpNeil Long mobilegamer.biz9:45am - 10:45amRoom 1KEYNOTE: The State of Games: Platforms, Funding and the Future
Tuesday 9th July9:45am - 10:45amRoom 1In this fireside chat, Kristian Segerstrale - CEO of Super Evil Megacorp and a 20+ year game industry veteran, will share his views on the games industry, his vision for the future and much more, including:
- The state of the industry - what is and isn't working right now across platforms and genres
- Is mobile still a viable place to start, or is it better to start on a PC?
- Where can you get the money?
- Concrete advice for building a financially sustainable studio in tougher times
- Buzzword bingo - AI, Transmedia, Cross-platform, Web3: quick takes on where we're at
Host: Neil Long, MobileGamer.biz
11:00am
Kevin Johnson Double Fine ProductionsJames Spafford Double Fine Productions11:00am - 11:45amRoom 1Embracing Mental Health and Accessibility for Psychonauts 2
Tuesday 9th July11:00am - 11:45amRoom 1Despite being a light hearted adventure, Psychonauts 2 features sensitive themes such as addiction, trauma, and anxiety, which put Mental Health at the forefront of our minds throughout development. This lead us consider our player’s well being like we never had before. and over time, changed our own awareness and attitudes in ways that would have lasting effects not just on the game, but on the fabric of our studio too.
Once we realised that designing with these considerations was essentially another form of accessibility, we found ourselves chasing a goal of trying to make our game accessible as possible to as many people as possible, in every sense of the word.
The result is not perfect by any means, but Psychonauts 2 is the most accessible game in Double Fine’s history, and the process has had lasting effects on our studio’s approach to other connected elements, and will affect all our games from now onwards.
In this session we will explore our journey, the steps we took to create a better understanding of what we wanted to accomplish, and lessons we’re taking forward to continue to evolve our design philosophies around accessibility.
Tom Westall Super Evil Megacorp11:00am - 11:45amRoom 2Cross Platform in Action - Taking a Game from Mobile to Console
Tuesday 9th July11:00am - 11:45amRoom 2We are seeing an increase in games taking the leap from our home computers and consoles to our pockets but what is it like going the other way? This talk will go through the experience of Super Evil Megacorp as they take the critically praised TMNT Splintered Fate from the subscription only platform of Apple Arcade to the Nintendo Switch.
This talk will cover two primary areas of game development, the business aspects of making successful games and then will take a deeper look at the game design implications of going from mobile to consoles.
We’ll explore key lessons from creating our first game on a subscription only platform. How we tried to optimise for a subscription model and what changes we’ve made for a console audience. I will also cover how we pivoted to a different business model for console release and the differences this means in our approach to product and marketing.
The next area I will cover is the UI / UX challenges we had in porting the game from a touch input control scheme to fully supporting controllers. Having witnessed a few games make this shift before to receive criticism of being a quick port I’ll discuss how we approached this to ensure we deliver a native console experience.
Session Takeaway
- How to optimise for a subscription platform
- When and why to take your game from mobile to Console
- What to consider when going from touch controls to PC/Console
- How to avoid being a quick mobile port.
- Differences in Marketing approach
- Console certification, what is it and how to pass!
Leon Hijazi-Killin Sumo Group11:00am - 11:45amRoom 3You’re Expensive for Just Dealing With Pronouns and Wokeness: The Real Cost of Workplace Inclusion
Tuesday 9th July11:00am - 11:45amRoom 3In a rapidly changing world, businesses on the surface seem to be stepping back from diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and investments, while much our newly emerging talent in the job market is specifically seeking working environments with proven track records of prioritising the emotional and psychological safety of their people. Are inclusive practices really "too expensive" for business or have we been lead to think about this from the wrong angle?
This talk asks and seeks to answer the questions:
- Within this precarious market, are short-term savings costing us greatly in the long run, and are we missing out on opportunities to attract critical talent into our businesses by discounting inclusive working practices as simply "pronouns and wokeness"?
- What is the cost for companies who opt not to invest in people-first mechanisms and support, materially, financially, legally, reputationally and emotionally?
- Are inclusive practices really "too expensive" for business or have we been lead to think about this from the wrong angle?Session Takeaway
- Taking inclusion seriously as a strategic component of business planning and analysis.
- The different ways in which overlooking, or down playing, the important of inclusive practices in the workplace, costs the business as a whole.
- The value of investing in people today paying dividends in products, reputation, and talent in the future.
Arjan Brussee Epic Games11:00am - 11:45amRoom 4Unreal Engine Development Update
Tuesday 9th July11:00am - 11:45amRoom 4In this session, Epic Games’ Arjan Brussee, Director of Product Management will discuss where Unreal Engine is headed, as well as offering a sneak peek at new tools, features and improvements under development.
Jazeena McCallum Surgent Studios11:00am - 11:45amRoom 5Roundtables FREEDevelop: FTUE (First Time User Experience)
Tuesday 9th July11:00am - 11:45amRoom 5A relaxed and informal roundtable designed to help you get the most out of your time at the conference. A diverse panel of friendly and experienced devs from across the whole industry spectrum want to help anyone who feels shy, awkward, a little out of place, on the outside, or just unable to really squeeze all the goodness out of this amazing show. You'll feel positive, empowered and fully equipped to have an absolutely smashing time, with tips on how to be productive, tools to network, and commitments from volunteers to be your safety net should things get a little too much! Finally, should you feel like it would help, we'll match people up with Show Mentors to ensure however long you're in Brighton, you go back to your studio feeling invigorated and inspired!
Session Takeaway
- Shared experiences that will give you some ideas on best practise plus do's and dont's for networking at every event.
- Recommendations for talks to attend and delegates to meet, plus practical help to do so!
- Knowledge of safe and quiet spaces to help manage your experience at the show
- Introductions to helpers who you can approach throughout your visit if you need a friendly face!
12:00pm
James Batchelor GamesIndustry.biz12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 1The Games Industry 2024 Survival Guide
Tuesday 9th July12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 1'Survive 2024' is a phrase that's been discussed a lot in the early months of this year, but now we've reached the halfway point (or at least we will have by the time we're in Brighton), it's worth sharing what we have learned in order ensure more businesses make it safely and comfortably to 2025.
GamesIndustry.biz editor-in-chief James Batchelor invites an array of industry veterans and up-and-coming entrepreneurs - both in the room, and via video - to share their best advice for games businesses looking to weather this tumultuous time in the industry - from how to make your teams more efficient, to how to future-proof your talent base and your product pipeline, and more.
Session Takeaway
- Hear advice from the best in the business on how to fortify your business in tough times
- Learn more about how successful games studios have dealt with the many difficulties presented by 2024 so far
- Leave with an optimistic outlook on how the industry and your business can thrive in 2025 and beyond
Tom Storr The Experimentation Group12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 2Growing Your Game: Learnings from Experimentation
Tuesday 9th July12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 2At the Experimentation Group we help teams understand what their players really want every day. This session reveals what we’ve learnt about growing games from talking to teams and testing their ideas. You will learn what's worked with other teams and how you can start experimenting.
Session Takeaway
- Is experimentation right for your game?
- What are the best metrics to target?
- Where is the best place to start?
Séamus Ó Buadhacháin Failbetter Games12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 3Testing Branching Narrative at Scale: Lessons from Mask of the Rose
Tuesday 9th July12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 3Projects with complex narratives can be unduly time-consuming to test, requiring multiple human playthroughs for each story choice. Mask of the Rose, a game with thousands of individual choices and millions of unique narrative routes, presented developers Failbetter Games with a serious testing challenge. This talk covers how we addressed the challenge of testing and debugging a branching narrative at tremendous scale, with a guidable random playthrough system that evolved from finding showstopping quest bugs to evaluating the flow of procedurally-generated conversations.
Session Takeaway
- The challenges of testing big narrative games
- The benefits and downsides of manual testing vs automated testing
- Challenges and pitfalls in developing automated testing for narrative-heavy games
Grant Allen Dlala Studios12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 4Playing With the House of Mouse
Tuesday 9th July12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 4When being tasked with creating a new innovative game with a 100 year old icon how do you approach it? How do you pay homage to the past but push things forward, In this session I will talk about the creative challenges that came with working and designing Disney Illusion Island and working with Disney Games to create the wonderful world of Monoth.
Session Takeaway
- Working with IP
- Working with Partners
- Game Design Processes
Sam Scaife Canteen12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 5Roundtables FREESurprises on My Journey from Hobbyist to Launching My First Indie Game
Tuesday 9th July12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 5As someone that spent years outside of games looking in and dreaming of what my future might look like, I want to share some of my experiences now that I’ve made that leap.
It’s very easy to doubt your own knowledge and experience with games when you're not working day to day in the industry. It’s also easy to have unrealistic fantasies about what your life might be like if you were to start working in games.
In this roundtable I’ll share some surprises and things I thought I knew but didn’t really appreciate! And we'll start a discussion for indies experienced or just starting out to share their own surprises.
With each surprise I'd like to cover, What the experience of them looked like leading into the situation and the various ways they impacted the project and people involved.
Here's some examples of surprises we might cover, depending on where the discussion goes:- - It’s going to take longer than you think
- What you’ve learned already is valid
- Putting yourself out there is a lot of work
- You’re going to doubt your project
- People are so supportive
- Releasing really is an emotional rollercoasterI would love if people take away from the session that their experience creating games as a hobbyist is super valid and will help them in their future if they choose to pursue a career creating games.
Session Takeaway
- You’ve already started your journey into the games industry.
- Find yourself some support.
- Give yourself more time.
- Be kind to yourself.
2:00pm
Sophie Artemigi Independent2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 2How to Get Banned from the App Stores: An Intersectional Approach to Mobile Development
Tuesday 9th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 2The first time most indie developers read the app stores’ rules is when they’re about to release their game. This poses a risk to the game’s success as adherence to these rules determines which players can see your game, and the likelihood of the game being taken down after release.
In this session we’ll be going over the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store’s guidelines from an indie developer perspective. We’ll cover the potential pitfalls that you may not anticipate if you’ve never released a mobile game before.
We’ll also approach this topic from an intersectional lens: How do queer developers make games about their sexuality if sexual content is banned? How do minorities discuss their experiences of violence if depictions of targeted violence are restricted? As developers and curators, how do we balance our responsibility of keeping our players safe and our desire to tell truthful and compelling stories through our games?
Session Takeaway
- What is and isn’t allowed on the App Store and Google Play Store
- Mobile game self publishing
- Mobile game design
Judi Alston Dreaming MethodsRhianna Pratchett Writer and ConsultantCharles Cecil RevolutionDr Jackie Mulligan Game RepublicPaul Cornell Writer2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 3Tips and Insights on Narrative Design from Leading Writers
Tuesday 9th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 3Award-winning writers Rhianna Pratchett, Charles Cecil (Revolution, Broken Sword), Paul Cornell (Doctor Who, Marvel) and Judi Alston (Dreaming Methods) share their experiences, insights, learnings and tips for creating high quality narrative games with Dr Jackie Mulligan (Game Republic). The panelists will explore how to make narrative games on a budget, techniques to explore character, using new technology like AI and VR to enhance storytelling in games and trends in narrative design in particular stories being interpreted across multiple media. The session will also include a Q&A.
Host: Dr Jackie Mulligan, Game Republic
Session Takeaway
- Ways to create story-based games on a budget
- Techniques to develop characters in games
- Opportunities and challenges of taking stories into different media
Lou Jones YRS TRULY2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 4Own Your Niche: Find Your Fans with Audience Insight
Tuesday 9th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 4Wondering if a Fortnite streamer will enjoy your indie roguelike turn-based medieval-inspired RPG? Probably not.
Good news: not every game will benefit from hitting the widest possible audience. Sometimes, your game or your budget means you have to go specific – often, it's a much better strategy than throwing content creators against the wall and seeing which one sticks (sorry, creators!).
Social media fuels algorithmic niches, making it easier for you to saturate a specific online space. In this talk, I'll show you how to focus on niche communities instead of raising broad awareness, creating true fans in the process.
Session Takeaway
- You'll have a greater understanding of audience research, including best research tools.
- You'll know the pros and cons of targeting smaller but better-connected gaming communities.
- You'll gain practical insight into how to execute niche marketing campaigns.
Ladell Smith Auroch DigitalCassandra Hughes Nox Lumina and Black Twitch UKEm Aspinall Radical ForgeAlexandra Davis Neonhive2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 5Roundtables FREECommunity Crisis What’s Your Issue? Community Manager Roundtable
Tuesday 9th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 5What do community managers do? Especially when things go wrong? How can you communicate in a timely manner to keep your community happy...
Community Managers are the front line and forward facing members of your team. Leading game launches, new updates, bug reports, community sentiments and reporting how, and what your players love (and hate) in your game. Working with developers, content creators, media outlets, press and journalists, they need to know everything and communicate across a wide range of digital (sometimes IRL) social realms.
Community Crisis what's your issue? Trust your instinct, communicate, and be open to ideas in the Community Manager Roundtable. Tackling commons pitfalls and real life tribulations led by a panel of seasoned experts. Work in groups to tackle common indie game issues community managers can face, discover practical advice and gain from real life experiences to improve future decision making. Do you have a burning community question you've always wanted to ask? Want to connect with fellow managers to ask for advice and guidance?
This roundtable is open-to-all, encouraging experienced and aspiring community managers to work with developers and decision makers to demystify this role. Knowledge share, uplift and celebrate the power of working together.Session Takeaway
- Discover what a community manager does and why this role is important
- Learn practical advice for common community crisis issues
- Gain from real experiences to improve future decision making
3:00pm
Hilmar Veigar Pétursson CCP Games3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 1The Longest Game – EVE Online’s Blueprint for Resilient Communities & Enduring Games
Tuesday 9th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 1How do gaming developers and publishers think about their long-term strategy for success? For Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CCP Games’ CEO, the longest game is exemplified by the power of strategy, innovation, and teamwork to create lasting entertainment experiences. In this talk, Pétursson will showcase how CCP focuses on community building and nurturing a positive culture through EVE Online’s growth and evolution with its players over time. By examining these principles and tools, Pétursson will showcase how to plan for the future while maximizing the present, ultimately creating better art and entertainment for all.
Session Takeaway
- Best practice for (and importance of) collaborating with players on the development of live titles.
- How to leverage and apply the inherent nature of MMO games as friendship-building engines to improve and enhance both your product and its community.
- The ingredients and grit necessary to create, sustain and grow a longtail game universe with the potential to go on forever.
V Buckenham Downpour3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 2From “alt-ctrl” to Touch Screens: Designing for that Strange Lump in Your Pocket
Tuesday 9th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 2I used to design games that used alternative controllers, and now I make apps for phones. And I find this is a useful perspective to bring to the design process - starting with the phone as an object you hold in your hand, and thinking about what actions feel pleasurable, what affordances it has, and how it exists within a social context.
In this talk, I'll go through some of these affordances, and talk about things we can learn about designing for phones, taking examples from my career making games such as the digital boardgame Beasts of Balance, prototyping at Niantic, and making my game creation app, Downpour.
Session Takeaway
- How mobile design compares to designing for custom controllers
- Techniques for validating mobile UX early on
- How to design for in-person word of mouth
Frank Tamburin ReadyAimFire3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 3Anatomy of a Trailer: The Secrets to Successful Video Marketing
Tuesday 9th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 3Who needs video marketing? Only anyone who’s making a game and wants people to play it!
In this session, we’ll consider what makes a great games trailer – and how you can create a strong video marketing campaign with the resources readily at your disposal.
A filmmaker and former Creative Director of a global games marketing agency, Frank has created award-winning trailers and campaigns for IPs like: Total War, Metro, CSR2, Horizon Zero Dawn, Guild Wars, Resident Evil, Pro Evolution Soccer, and more.
Using real-world examples from trailers and campaigns he’s worked on, Frank will demonstrate for indie devs and industry professionals alike some of the tips and tools he’s learned to create compelling video marketing for games.
The aim is for attendees to leave the talk with a solid basis in what constitutes good video marketing; how to best create impactful content; and how to make the most of your pre-existing activities, contacts, and audience to make your video marketing successful.
Session Takeaway
• Finding your hook (how your game’s USP must provide the spine for your campaign)
• Compelling narrative structure (the craft of trailer storytelling)
• Who not how (harnessing the power of your network)
• Engagement, engagement, engagement (smart social = trailer success)
Joe Brammer BULKHEAD3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 4The Truth About The 4 Day Work Week
Tuesday 9th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 4This session is not about highlighting the obvious benefits of a 4 Day Work Week. It's about the rarely discussed negatives.
After running an 18 month 4 Day Work Week trial, BULKHEAD made it a permenant benefit for their staff. The 4 Day Work Week isn't perfect, but you'll struggle to find an article, paper, or report of anyone shedding light on the down sides of running a 4 Day Work Week. In this session Joe Brammer the Studio Lead of BULKHEAD opens the books and discusses all the gory details of their 18 month trial and subsequently how they graduated from trial to permenancy.
This talk is for everyone who has even the slightest bit of intrigue in changing from the 9-5 Monday to Friday that the working world opted into in the 1920s. Not only does Joe discuss their findings and results, Joe will also be sharing the alternatives they considered in an effort to 'rethink' the way we work.
With such an evocative topic, there will be lots of time at the end for questions.
Session Takeaway
- Fundamentals of The 4 Day Work Week
- A clear picture of the negative impacts The 4 Day Work Week
- How BULKHEAD chose to roll out their trial and subsequent new contracts
- Easy mistakes to make!
Lewie Procter NSPCC3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 5Roundtables FREEPutting Children First: Tackling Child Protection in Gaming
Tuesday 9th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 5Everyone in the games space hopes that children can be kept as safe as possible when playing games, but in the fast moving world of gaming, it can be a challenge for developers, publishers and platforms to know how to best keep this priority at the forefront of their processes and decision making.
Bringing together a panel of folk from various areas of the games industry, join us for a discussion of some of the critical issues related to child safety in games. Exploring some of the experiences children face in online connected worlds, navigating the world of age ratings and parental controls, and discussing some ways the games industry can collectively do more to look after young players.
NSPCC has a wealth of expertise in child protection, and is constantly putting the voice of children as a key driver in how to advance the cause of child protection. But as we step into the world of gaming, we don’t have all the answers, and are keen to work in partnership with the games industry to collaborate on initiatives that can achieve as much impact as possible, as well as helping generate the funds for the charity to enable this important work.
Session Takeaway
- A snapshot of some of the issues children face when gaming today, based on real NSPCC case studies.
- An understanding of current child protection best practices used by games companies represented.
- Ideas of how they can step up their approach to child protection in their own game projects.
4:00pm
Tami Bhaumik Roblox4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 1Designing With Community Safety in Mind
Tuesday 9th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 1At Roblox VP of Civility & Partnerships, Tami Bhaumik - leads a range of initiatives designed to foster positive, safe online spaces where the Roblox community can thrive, whatever their needs. With an impressive career history in family online safety, Tami shares her insights into how games developers can design not just for safety - but for civility too, creating safe community experiences and engendering civil community behaviour that enables everyone to thrive.
Alongside a look into some of Roblox’s latest safety and civility features and efforts, attendees will also leave with insights from some of Roblox latest community civility projects created in partnership with organisations such as Digital Wellness Lab, Sesame Project and Internet Matters (with independent neurodivergence charities).
Session Takeaway
- How to build positive shared spaces online
- The importance of centering youth voice to achieve online safety
- Understanding the needs of neurodivergent user online
- The future of positive interactions in online gaming
Jamie Brayshaw Ripstone Games4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 2The Queen’s Gambit: How We Developed Our First Mobile Game, for Netflix
Tuesday 9th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 2Learn what made Unreal Engine the right fit for Rockwater’s first mobile game, the acclaimed The Queen’s Gambit Chess for Netflix Games. Rockwater will share the anticipated challenges, surprising outcomes, and tips and tricks to get the most out of Unreal Engine for the code, art, audio and UX which helped them bring to life their love letter to the world-famous Netflix show, The Queen’s Gambit.
Session Takeaway
- Tech: What we learned as PC/console developers making a mobile game
- Tech: What we learned from taking the unconventional Unreal engine path on mobile
- Design/Biz: What to expect when working with world-renowned IP and how to get the most from a partnership
Natasha Evette Firefly Studios4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 3TikTok for Discoverability: Content Do’s and Don’ts
Tuesday 9th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 3TikTok has somehow gotten itself the reputation as the 'scary' app that we, as devs, would prefer not to deal with. However, TikTok is an ever growing social media behemoth that we can no longer skirt around in video game marketing and brand discoverability. Whether you're an indie dev trying to figure it out on your own or a marketer with a team beside you, this talk is designed to show you just how simple and approachable (and dare I say…fun?) TikTok can be. I've made an easy to follow list of the things you need to be doing when creating your content, and some things that you may want to avoid in order to get the most out of TikTok as a marketing and community tool.
Session Takeaway
- How to get the most out of TikTok as a marketing tool
- How to make the right kind of content for TikTok and what kind to avoid
- What tools you’ll need to create professional looking TikTok content
Philip Rolfe Sports Interactive4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 4Under Pressure: A Football Manager Narrative Design Journey
Tuesday 9th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 4Football Manager is a vast sandbox full of endless possibilities, potential, and pressure. Join me on a journey and some of the challenges we face as narrative designers to ensure that setbacks and failure are just as important as progress and success in our parallel worlds, and how different ways of playing the game open up fresh and exciting opportunities for storytelling.
Session Takeaway
- The role of Narrative Design in sandbox games
- The importance of losing/setbacks in the narrative arc
- Solving ongoing Design Challenges in games with no fixed ending
Lori Meakin The Others & Me4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 5Roundtables FREEHow to Get More Girls: Gender and Gaming, Beyond the ‘Menemies’ Mindset
Tuesday 9th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 5We all talk about needing to get more women into gaming: both in the workforce, and in the gaming experience itself. After all, despite positive progress, gaming still has a worse gender balance than any other creative industry. And we’ve got a long way to go to make the gaming and e-sports community a place where women and girls can feel like they belong - especially as often, right now, women and girls don’t even feel safe.
But most conversations about gender inclusion tend to end up doing more harm than good. The ideology gap between young men and women is big, and it’s widening: While Gen Z women are demanding more and more change, 53% of Gen Z men in Britain feel that gender equality has gone so far that it’s men who are now being discriminated against. Meanwhile, women often disagree about some fundamental stuff too – like is calling ourselves “girls” a positive or a negative thing? And there are those who claim we should just forget about gender anyway, as the future’s all non-binary.
Who’s right? What’s the answer? Is it even possible to get more girls into gaming (as creatives, consumers and characters) without making men and boys feel even more overlooked than they do already? Isn't this just going to exacerbate the current gender wars? And how is any of this gender debate going to drive business growth?
This session will uncover how we can get beyond a ‘Menemies’ mindset in gaming, and make the world of gaming one that works for all of us, and for the business.
Session Takeaway
- Ideas for developing characters, stories and worlds that the overlooked half of the population will really value too.
- Tips on how to grow your audience by marketing products beyond the traditional gendered assumptions.
- An appreciation that using better gender intelligence with our consumers and community also drives a positive culture-change within the company. (It's not just vice-versa.)
5:00pm
Vicky Bloom Astrid Entertainment5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 1Revolutionising Game Worlds: Development in Emergent AI
Tuesday 9th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 1Dive into the innovative world of Utility AI and its transformative impact on non-player character (NPC) behaviour in video games with Dr. Vicky Bloom. She brings her expertise in AI and game development to introduce the fundamental concepts of Utility AI. A system that empowers NPCs to make lifelike decisions, providing a significant advancement over traditional AI by providing more dynamic and emergent interactions.
Vicky will introduce Utility AI's basics, including its decision-making models and scoring systems, which enable NPCs to exhibit varied and complex behaviours. She'll share insights from her experience as Lead Software Engineer at Astrid Entertainment, using practical examples from their current game to demonstrate how Utility AI can transform NPC interactions and game worlds.
The session will cover the integration of Utility AI into Unreal game development, focusing on rapid development with plugins and best practices. Attendees will learn how to start with Utility AI, from concept to execution. They will gain a foundation for applying this technology in their projects, paving the way for the next generation of interactive entertainment.
Whether you are an industry professional eager to learn about AI in games, a developer aiming to refine your expertise, or simply curious about the future of game design, this talk will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to emergent AI. Don't miss this chance to see how Utility AI can animate your game worlds in new and exciting ways.
Session Takeaway
- An understanding of Utility AI basics and how it creates dynamic NPC behaviour with real-world examples.
- Learn how to seamlessly incorporate Utility AI into Unreal projects, emphasising plugin integration and best practices.
- Gain practical insights from applying Utility AI in Astrid Entertainment's current project, inspiring the creation of captivating game worlds.
Edric Tse Neopets5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 2Neopets at 25: Game IP Evolution and Building Multi-dimensional Experiences
Tuesday 9th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 2Neopets has been a household name since the 90's with 150 million players worldwide, and has made significant advancements to modernize the brand since its restructuring to World of Neopets in July 2023. In this session, Neopets Edric Tse will reflect on the game’s 25-year journey and share its long-term roadmap which includes engaging with global partners, game and story plot developments, and they are set to roll out more mobile games, whilst making Neopets.com more mobile-friendly.
Edric will share insights into Neopets’ recent priorities such as engaging with global partners and spearheading their community engagement to re-engage with former players and explore ways to connect with new players. He can delve into the challenges and opportunities within the competitive gaming landscape, emphasizing the significant role of nostalgia and community engagement in Neopets' recent revival. This recognition of the community's attachment to the game's legacy has been instrumental in shaping Neopets' strategy and goal in becoming an entertainment brand moving forward.
Session Takeaway
- Strategies for leveraging nostalgia as a tool for success in gaming
- Insights into acquiring and retaining users in a competitive gaming landscape
- Arrange a portfolio of continuous virtual and in-person activities to foster a strong, vibrant, and multidimensional community.
- Discover a new way to revitalize an IP through community engagement
John Lau ustwo games5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 3Stuck in the Middle With You: Translating Between Business and Creativity as a Producer
Tuesday 9th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 3A game producer’s role is an ill defined thing: Is it operational? Is it commercial? Is it creative? Is it organisational? Is it facilitation? Is it all of the above?
Drawing on a 17-year career ranging from work-for-hire production, game design and indie games, ustwo games Lead Producer John Lau sketches out a way of understanding the producer’s role not just as an organiser, but as a translator between two uneasy allies: the creativity of a game team, and the logistical realities of the businesses that employ them.
Session Takeaway
- Developing a commercial literacy helps a producer understand their stakeholder’s problems. Understanding your stakeholder’s problems allows you to do your job better.
- Understand that the ideal situation for a business is for things to be perfectly predictable. Not only is that impossible, it’s the opposite of what your team needs to be creative.
- Reframe conflicts between commercial and creative as mismatches of language: always try to translate the problems of one into the language of the other.
Shahd Sherief Saltwater Games5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 4Beyond the Chatbot: Leveraging AI for More Captivating Experiences
Tuesday 9th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 4In this session, we navigate the applications of AI across various facets of game design, from narrative, game-controls, to art and replayability. Attendees will gain insights into how AI can elevate game experiences, as well as which types of models to use. We'll discuss the capabilities of LLMs, showcasing their multifaceted roles in game development beyond mere dialogue systems. Through case studies and analysis, we'll ponder successful implementations of AI in games, highlighting best practices while also addressing pitfalls to avoid. Moreover, we'll tackle the ethical considerations surrounding AI integration in game design, emphasizing the importance of responsible AI usage. Session Takeaway
The listeners will leave knowing:
- The different kinds of AI models which applicable to gaming use cases
- What an LLM is, and how LLMs evolved from what they used to be
- LLM usages in games beyond text-based/chat applications
- Pros and cons of training VS prompting and when to use each one
- Archiving prompt responses to potentially use in training
- Potential LLM optimizations
Marie-Claire Isaaman Women in Games5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 5Roundtables FREEMen as Allies: Open Your Eyes & Become an Agent of Change
Tuesday 9th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 5The games industry thrives on creativity, innovation, and diverse perspectives. Yet, women continue to face significant roadblocks: from subtle microaggressions and unconscious biases to blatant harassment and abuse. These challenges create a hostile environment, hinder career progression, and ultimately, hold the industry back from reaching its full potential.
And nothing is changing despite the efforts of Women in Games and our partners and supporters. Men must play a pivotal role in dismantling these barriers and fostering a truly inclusive and equitable gaming landscape.
This roundtable event, to open the eyes of men working in the industry to the huge challenges and obstacles facing women, and to equip them with the tools and understanding they need to become effective allies, driving positive change within the industry.
This roundtable isn't about raising awareness; it's about encouraging and empowering men to take action. We'll provide attendees with knowledge, practical tools and resources to implement the learnings of the session into their daily lives, both professionally and personally.
Session Takeaway
- Speak Up, Not Over: True allyship prioritises amplifying women's voices while offering unwavering support.
- Become an Advocate: Take initiative to educate yourself and others about the challenges women face within the games industry.
- Challenge the Status Quo: Identify and challenge 'masculine' norms that contribute to a culture of bias and exclusion.
- Action is Paramount: Allyship goes beyond words – translate your learnings into tangible actions that create lasting change.
Tuesday After Hours Events
18.00 - 20.00: Develop:Brighton IceBreaker in the Metropole Bar everyone with a Develop pass welcome!
19.00: RaiseTheGame Festival Of Food at Shelter Hall.
19.30 - 23.30: Poker Tournament in support of GamesAid. Book your tickets HERE
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9:45am
Greg Rice Sony Interactive EntertainmentShuhei Yoshida Sony Interactive EntertainmentElla Romanos Fundamentally Games9:45am - 10:45amRoom 1KEYNOTE: Supporting Indies and Creativity in Game Development
Wednesday 10th July9:45am - 10:45amRoom 1The video game industry thrives on the creativity of thousands of independent developers helping to push the medium forward. Join industry legends Shuhei Yoshida and Greg Rice as they reflect on their combined decades of experience supporting game developers large and small to make their best work.
What makes a good game? What challenges and common mistakes are seen in development? How can we help support and nurture creativity in game development? Let's discuss all this and more!
This fireside chat will be hosted by Ella Romanos from Fundamentally Games.
11:00am
Chris Bateman International Hobo11:00am - 11:45amRoom 1How To Make Easy to Learn Games
Wednesday 10th July11:00am - 11:45amRoom 1Everyone wants to make games that are easy to learn, but they also want to make games that are inventive and original. The hard truth is that these goals are in tension, and the more you innovate and create new experiences, the tougher it will be for players to learn how to play your game. But the flipside is also true: the easiest games to learn are those that do nothing new... and these will swiftly vanish from everyone's attention as forgettable. Navigating between these two extremes is a key skill in the delicate art of game design.
The age-old battle between the game designers and the marketing department takes on a new meaning once this issue comes into clear focus. Game designers often try to push for inventive changes to game concepts that the marketing department frequently cannot understand how to make into selling points. At the same time, game designers are frustrated by the marketing department's insistence on lining up with some existing game style, which feels lazy and unoriginal. Yet both sides want originality - they just don't quite mean it in the same way.
Unexpectedly, the marketing department is genuinely onto something here - but frequently doesn't know how to express it to the design team. Recapturing the original meaning of 'unique selling point' can become a means of delivering innovation in game design while keeping the learning curve manageable. The trick is to ask a different question: which player practices are we borrowing...?
Session Takeaway
- Discover techniques for recognizing the player practices sustaining each market for games
- Create surprising new common ground between game design and marketing!
- Recapture the original meaning of ‘unique selling point’ as a tool for easy-to-learn game design
Molly Heady-Carroll Freelance Creature Consultant11:00am - 11:45amRoom 2The Weird Science of Creature Design
Wednesday 10th July11:00am - 11:45amRoom 2Creature design is a weird science and YOU are the mad professor! Designing unholy abominations may be fun, but it is also hard work. There is method to the madness. Creature designers combine knowledge of real world animals and fantastic ideas with clear and communicative sketching. In this lecture, Molly Heady-Carroll will take you through the entire gruesome process of designing creatures. Her methods may be unconventional, but her creations might just be crazy enough to work. It's alive… IT'S ALIVE!
Session Takeaway
- DESIGN: creature design requires an evaluation, ideation, prototyping and testing cycle, just like the design thinking cycle that is applied to game design. Nature also "designs" her animals in the same way. Animals are an iteratively tested solution (evolution) within a design system (ecology). Every animal is a design loop (species) that works for one of millions of very specific circumstances (niche).
- ZOOLOGY: nature has millions of species and all are a functioning solution to fill a niche. You know they work because they exist in real life. Having an extensive knowledge of real world animals provides creature designers with a mental library of real world possibilities they can draw from for their fictional designs. Artist can do this by researching animal zoology, observation and life drawing.
- DRAWING: focus on how well you can design imaginary animals, how well you can communicate through drawing and that you can do this fast. Clear visual communication is NOT the same thing as being good at rendering. Creating a functioning, appropriate concept comes first, polish and rendering is the polish on an already functioning foundation. It won't save a bad design.
Charity Joy Criterion (EA)11:00am - 11:45amRoom 3The Art of Leading Leaders
Wednesday 10th July11:00am - 11:45amRoom 3Executives and senior leaders are required to manage people who are experts in their respective fields, bringing together a variety of diverse (and often conflicting) points of view, and enabling them to output the highest quality work collaboratively.
This is no small feat. And not something most leaders are explicitly trained to do.
In this session, we’ll explore six key competencies that will allow you to confidently lead people who know more than you, in ways that empower everyone to succeed.
Session Takeaway
Learn how to:
- Use Trust as a framework for feedback and management
- Ask the right questions to unlock your team’s full potential
- Understand how small tweaks in your behaviour have an outsized impact on your team
Christian-Peter Heimbach Actioncy Tech11:00am - 11:45amRoom 4Practical Machine Learning for Game Developers, Publishers and Studios
Wednesday 10th July11:00am - 11:45amRoom 4A Journey from Theory to App.
Demystify machine learning’s complexities and showcasing its practical applications in game publishing. Starting with a foundational overview of ML concepts, Heimbach shares his journey of fine-tuning a machine learning model, offering a candid post-mortem analysis of the challenges faced and lessons learned. Attendees will gain insights into the iterative process of ML model development, from data gathering and model training to evaluation and fine-tuning, with a focus on actionable strategies and use cases. This talk aims to equip game developers with the knowledge and tools to leverage machine learning in their own projects.
Session Takeaway
- Foundational Understanding: Grasp core ML concepts and how they can be applied to game development.
- Practical Insights: Learn through a real-life case study of developing a machine learning model, including selecting the right algorithms, dealing with data, and overcoming obstacles.
- Actionable Strategies: Discover effective techniques for model evaluation and fine-tuning to enhance game features, such as AI behaviour, content generation, and player experience personalization.
Jazeena McCallum Surgent Studios11:00am - 11:45amRoom 5Roundtables FREEDevelop: FTUE (First Time User Experience)
Wednesday 10th July11:00am - 11:45amRoom 5A relaxed and informal roundtable designed to help you get the most out of your time at the conference. A diverse panel of friendly and experienced devs from across the whole industry spectrum want to help anyone who feels shy, awkward, a little out of place, on the outside, or just unable to really squeeze all the goodness out of this amazing show. You'll feel positive, empowered and fully equipped to have an absolutely smashing time, with tips on how to be productive, tools to network, and commitments from volunteers to be your safety net should things get a little too much! Finally, should you feel like it would help, we'll match people up with Show Mentors to ensure however long you're in Brighton, you go back to your studio feeling invigorated and inspired!
Session Takeaway
- Shared experiences that will give you some ideas on best practise plus do's and dont's for networking at every event.
- Recommendations for talks to attend and delegates to meet, plus practical help to do so!
- Knowledge of safe and quiet spaces to help manage your experience at the show
- Introductions to helpers who you can approach throughout your visit if you need a friendly face!
Nils Heine Giants Software11:00am - 11:45amRoom 6Business FREEEmbracing Esports for Small to Medium-Sized Studios
Wednesday 10th July11:00am - 11:45amRoom 6This presentation explores how small to medium-sized game studios can leverage the booming esports industry to elevate their development and marketing strategies. Highlighting the success of GIANTS Software with "Farming Simulator 22," which boasts over 6 million units sold and a robust daily active user base, it demonstrates the potential reach and engagement esports can provide. The talk delves into the current state of esports, emphasizing its youthful demographic and significant marketing power. It addresses the initial hurdles, such as investment in infrastructure and community building, and outlines strategic approaches for successful integration, including market research, game development, partnerships, and enhancing spectator experiences. By incorporating esports, studios can unlock new opportunities and expand their audience, ultimately contributing to long-term business success.
12:00pm
Piermaria Mendolicchio DeepMindDaniel Slater DeepMind12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 1A Generalist AI Agent for 3D Virtual Environments
Wednesday 10th July12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 1Join us for an insightful session where we delve into the work of Google DeepMind's "A Generalist AI Agent for 3D Virtual Environments." We will present an in-depth exploration of this generalist AI agent's capabilities within immersive games and 3D environments.
During this session, we will cover- The hypothesis behind this project and how did we get here
- Its performance across a diverse range of games and virtual environments
- The agent's ability to learn, adapt, and solve short horizon challenges autonomously
We will also discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise from developing and deploying generalist AI agents in virtual environments. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, a researcher, or simply curious about the cutting-edge of AI, this session will provide valuable insights and spark thought-provoking discussions.
Join us as we unlock the future of AI and explore the transformative potential of generalist AI agents in shaping our interactions with virtual worlds.
Session Takeaway
- Learning about the capabilities of generalist AI agents in games and 3D virtual environments
- Recognizing the challenges and opportunities associated with the development and deployment of these agents
- Gaining insights into the future directions and applications of AI in virtual environments
- Appreciating the transformative potential of AI in enhancing digital experiences
Mat Alcock Visually Impaired Content Creator and Accessibility ConsultantHannah Flynn Failbetter GamesHannah Rutherford Independent Creator12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 2Content Creators Meet Indies with Games to Launch
Wednesday 10th July12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 2How do you find and engage the best content creators for your game in 2024?
It's long established that working with content creators is one of the most impactful ways to promote your indie game. But as an indie dev, you may not have the knowledge, time or resources to get to grips with the whole streaming scene and put your game in the right people’s hands.
How do you find the best people to approach for your particular game? How can you package what you’ve got to make it really streamable and exciting to them? What challenges are streamers facing that you might not know about? What kinds of campaigns are there that might work for a game like yours? And what can you do if you have absolutely no marketing budget?
Seasoned creators Hannah Rutherford aka Lomadia and Shaz Shanghari will join Hannah Flynn of Failbetter Games for a panel discussion touching on all of the current best practices for working with streamers and content creators.
Session Takeaway
- How to approach streamers to work on your launch
- Different types of campaign beyond 'please play my game'!
- Best practice for game features that make streamers' lives easy
Thomas Waterzooi Indie Developer12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 3Unlocking The Power of Paintings in ‘Please, Touch The Artwork 2’ (a double post mortem)
Wednesday 10th July12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 3Solo-dev Thomas Waterzooi will explore the intersection of modern artist James Ensor’s paintings and accessible, yet deep, mobile game design. The session serves as a practical case study for game developers seeking insights into bridging traditional art with interactive experiences, but also designing for mobile. He’ll discuss and compare the different challenges faced during development of the first game versus the second game, and share things learned from his journey as a solo-developer, winning the Google Play Indie festival in 2022 and securing a Apple Design award nomination. From finding funding, game-design, PR, marketing to releasing a game on Steam, mobile, Nintendo Switch, and efforts post-release, there are lots of takeaways from this talk.
Session Takeaway
- How to stand out in an overcrowded gaming-landscape
- General insights into what it takes to be a solo-dev indie.
- Techniques to adapt public domain art into (mobile) games.
Luke Hebblethwaite BAFTAKatherine Bidwell State of PlayKathryn Ellis Strategy & DEI Consultant12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 4BAFTA Games: How We Can All Level the Playing Field
Wednesday 10th July12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 4Improving social mobility within the games industry is important now more than ever before. But how can we all play our part in levelling the playing field? In this talk, you will gain insights from other industries on how they identified issues and worked to rectify them as well as receive the opportunity to ask questions yourself. You will also get a short live demonstration of BAFTA’s Invisible Barriers resource, an interactive guide to assist hirers in the screen industries to support individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Session Takeaway
- What actions have been taken to improve social mobility in other creative industries?
- How can we all play a part in the games industry when it comes to social mobility and why is it important?
- What is BAFTA doing in this area?
Adam Niall Clewes-Boyne BetaJester12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 5Roundtables FREEAccessible Communication and Managing a Neuro-diverse Studio
Wednesday 10th July12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 5With approximately 1 in 4 people in the games industry considered neurodivergent (UKIE Survey, 2022), almost every studio will have several employees whose needs and communication styles differ from the typical. That means all managers, producers, and studio heads need to be prepared to accommodate the needs of all their staff by being aware of the best methods and strategies to create a neuro-inclusive work environment. Drawing on his 9 years of experience of managing a majority neuro-divergent studio, as well being a founder of the IGDA Neurodivergent in Games SIG, running Playing Attention (which supports ADHD individuals in the games industry), and being part of the Limit Break committee (supporting accessibility), Adam will take you through some of the ways you can make your studio more inclusive, more accessible, and how you can improve communication with all of your employees, clients, and contractors, helping your studio become a more accommodating place for people to work and play.
Session Takeaway
- Simple things to be aware of when communicating to employees that will make your studio more neuro-inclusive
- Tactics for effective communication within your studio
- Key things to look out for that could help you catch and clear up misunderstandings faster
Nick Johnson The Affect GroupPiers H Hunt HH512:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 6Business FREELevel Up Your Business: Navigating Debt Financing and Tax Credit Strategies in the Games Industry
Wednesday 10th July12:00pm - 12:45pmRoom 6Join us for an insightful session that delves into the intricacies of cash flow management and its pivotal role in enhancing the financial resilience of video games businesses. In this presentation, an experienced accountant and a seasoned financier will collaboratively guide you through the fundamentals of debt financing and cash flowing, tailored specifically for the gaming industry.
The spotlight will shine on the nuances of UK tax credits, providing attendees with valuable insights into leveraging financial opportunities unique to the region. Our experts will also shed light on the latest developments in HMRC's tax credit regime, ensuring participants stay well-informed and equipped to optimize their financial strategies.
Don't miss this opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of how effective cash flow management can propel your gaming business towards sustained success in the dynamic landscape of the industry.
Session Takeaway
Discussion of debt, financing and cash flowing
The talk will explain:
- Mastering cash flow strategies for games businesses
- Understanding the essentials of debt financing in the games industry
- Insight into financiers' criteria and lenders' expectations
- Unveiling the intricacies of UK tax credits, with a focus on the latest HMRC updates
1:00pm
Ross Laurie Reforged StudiosJohn Keefe Draw & CodeIvan Filletti GamingMalta FoundationSerkan Hassan Electric Square MaltaChrista Agius ExientLuke Evans Unity1:00pm - 2:00pmRoom 1Business FREEPanel Discussion: Malta – A European Stage for Your Global Ambitions
Wednesday 10th July1:00pm - 2:00pmRoom 1Get a taste of the Mediterranean with Malta’s ambitions in the video game development space from key players who are already located on the island. Key panellists will share their first-hand experiences and journeys in shaping and building British-based video game development studios on this European island. Learn how Malta is embracing and supporting numerous initiatives, from education and funding to incubation, in making Malta a Home of Gaming Excellence.
Host: Luke Evans from Unity.
Session Takeaway
First-Hand Experiences: Hear from industry leaders about their personal journeys in establishing and growing video game development studios in Malta.
Educational Initiatives: Discover how Malta is fostering talent through specialised education programs designed to equip the next generation of game developers.
Funding and Incubation: Learn about the various funding opportunities and incubation programs available to support budding game studios and innovative projects.
Alex Vinokurov Cloudflare1:00pm - 1:45pmRoom 6Business FREECyber Security Trends in Gaming
Wednesday 10th July1:00pm - 1:45pmRoom 6Join us for an insightful session on "Cyber Security Trends in Gaming," delivered by Cloudflare. This session will explore the latest cyber security challenges and solutions in the gaming industry, focusing on three key areas: Phishing, Security Recommendations, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
Phishing:
Learn about the phishing techniques targeting game developers and how to protect against them.
Security Recommendations:
Discover best practices for enhancing security, including password management, two-factor authentication, and awareness training.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS):
Understand the impact of DDoS attacks on gaming and the latest strategies to defend against them.
Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to enhance cyber security, ensuring a safer environment for all.
2:00pm
Daan Hendriks The Chinese RoomLaura Dodds The Chinese RoomLouis Larsson-De Wet The Chinese Room / Sumo DigitalAlex Spencer Edge2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 1A Very British Horror Story: The Making of Still Wakes The Deep
Wednesday 10th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 1Join Edge's Alex Spencer and creatives from award-winning UK studio The Chinese Room to discover the story behind critically acclaimed narrative horror Still Wakes The Deep. Daan Hendriks (Audio Director), Laura Dodds (Associate Art Director) and Louis Larsson-De Wet (Project Technical Director) will discuss how The Chinese Room created one of 2024’s most atmospheric thrillers – and why they chose a North Sea oil rig for its setting.
Session Takeaway
- The opportunities and challenges involved in making such a distinctly British game, building on the studio's previous work in this field.
- How The Chinese Room researched and cast Still Wakes The Deep to make it authentic to its unique location and period setting.
- Techniques involved in staging atmosphere, tension and drama in a first-person narrative-driven horror.
Aubrey McCarthy Technical Artist2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 2Everything I Learned Making Art for Illustrative Styles
Wednesday 10th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 2With a stylised art direction, art which looks good in a screenshot isn't necessarily what makes for great art in motion. And, as we found out in a fast paced action game, can be complete cognitive overload . Oh no, we've overwhelmed the player! What are we going to do now?
Aubrey McCarthy will take you through 3 games worth of learning about illustrative art styles. Drawing from Rollerdrome, OlliOlli World, and John Wick Hex's development. Come learn practical lessons on what it's like to make a video game which audiences will look at and think is hand drawn.
Looking different requires a different art creation approach. As well as throwing up a abundance of visual challenges. This talk will help you navigate some of the early pitfalls you'll likely fall into.
Session Takeaway
- How we arrived at our illustrative art styles, things to consider when choosing your own, and how to make your life easier if you do
- Colours: Where art meets science. How to make colours do heavy lifting for you.
- Detail: How to balance making a game which is visually rich and stylised, while still looking great and not overwhelming in action.
Lisa Ridley Ubisoft Reflections2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 3Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR: Delivering a Performant Living World in Mobile VR
Wednesday 10th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 3This session will explore the ways that the team behind Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR worked to bring a AAA experience from a much-loved franchise into mobile VR, and used the limitations of the Quest 2 as an opportunity to think innovatively to build an immersive living world.
It will include tangible examples with gameplay footage and performance numbers, and will also explore how the team looked into the franchise’s history (Assassin’s Creed Unity) to elevate the experience.
Session Takeaway
- Understand the challenges and trade-offs involved in achieving AAA quality in mobile VR
- Learn techniques to boost performance without sacrificing NPC fidelity
- Discover what it takes to achieve realistic NPC reactions in VR
Jonny Hopper Glowmade2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 4How to Grow a Game Studio Through Challenging Times
Wednesday 10th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 4Launched in 2015 by Lionhead alumni, Glowmade has grown to become a team of 60+ developers - but the journey has not always been easy. The Guildford-based game studio has weathered storms, made mistakes and learned from them, but is now thriving with the studio growing in size, and working on an exciting new IP which will be published by Amazon Games.
In this session Glowmade Studio Head Jonny Hopper presents a candid story about how to build and grow a studio through turbulent times, and how embracing core values and creating a positive culture is essential to success.
Session Takeaway
- Launching and growing a studio
- Adapting a business throughout turbulent times
- Defining company values
- The importance of staying honest and humble
Brynmor Richards Super Rare GamesLadell Smith Auroch Digital2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 5Roundtables FREELGBQTIA+ Roundtable
Wednesday 10th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 5An open talk to look at how the year has been for the LGBTQIA+ Community.
This year has had good days alongside the bad days, we think it is important for us to discuss how we have been throughout the year and celebrate our achievements, no matter how big or small.
With all the unfortunate redundancies in the past year having a major affect on so many lives, it is important for our community to have a safe space to openly discuss how the past year have impacted their lives, plus how the gaming industry can help more LGBTQIA+ people
Session Takeaway
- An understanding of the concerns of LGBTQ+ individuals working in the games industry
- Techniques shared from first-hand experiences of celebrating diversity in workplaces
- Tips and tricks for pushing for better in-game representation from within the industry
André Sousa Giants Software2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 6Audio FREECreating Authentic Sound for Farming Simulator
Wednesday 10th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 6André is presenting a comprehensive strategy for the sound design of Farming Simulator.
He will explain their methods for developing and applying ambient sounds in a dynamic, open-world setting, crafting engaging sound effects for agricultural implements, and detailing their process for capturing, creating, and integrating vehicle sounds into the game.
The speaker will discuss the challenges encountered in designing the ambient audio system, the techniques used to maintain realism and authenticity in a simulation game, and the requirements for accurately replicating the sound of a modern tractor. Additionally, he will offer some helpful tips on audio editing and processing.
3:00pm
Ben Board Epic Games3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 1The Unreal and Epic Games Ecosystem
Wednesday 10th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 1Unreal Engine is a constantly evolving beast, and just one of Epic Games’s investments in tools you can use to make, sell and operate video games. Join this session for the latest developments in the Unreal and Epic Games ecosystem.
Session Takeaway
- The latest Unreal Engine 5 features enabling the highest quality cross-platform video games
- Awareness of the range of tools and services Epic offers to help you make great games
- An introduction to Unreal Editor for Fortnite
Ryan Greene RebellionDaniel Meeuws RebellionChris Kabeya Rebellion3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 2Building Cohesive Worlds with Traditional and Emerging Art Pipelines
Wednesday 10th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 2This session is about world building and asset creation using traditional handcrafted art, photogrammetry, and Houdini driven tools. It is a demonstration of how a mid-sized team created lush expansive levels efficiently, with a high level of quality, yet remained flexible for design iteration. We will look at content creation, object placement, and play space creation via an intriguing fusion of methodologies.
The team will give insight into a broad range of artistic challenges, and our solutions to them. We used an interesting bag of tools to create an English village, assemble stone structures, ensure accuracy in vegetation ecosystems, and build entire levels. We will go through various case studies in the creation of both natural and man-made areas from one of Rebellion’s upcoming games. (Currently unannounced!)
Session Takeaway
- Be clear on your vision, and what you want to achieve with your art
- Be flexible in your approach to art creation, and open to new methodologies
- Save time on the tricky and tedious bits, then spend that time on the fun stuff!
Morwenna Griffin Unity Technologies3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 3Designing Surprise: Treading the Fine Line Between Delighting and Infuriating Players
Wednesday 10th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 3Surprise is a crucial part of what it is to be entertained. It can elicit a range of human emotions, from amusement and joy to confusion and fear.
In games, surprise in storytelling is both a powerful and hazardous tool with the potential for a high positive or negative impact on the player experience. Conditions, intensity, delivery, and the players themselves are all factors that influence the outcome of the surprise and must be carefully considered to ensure the desired reaction is achieved.
As part of a Master’s Degree in Indie Game Development at Falmouth Games Academy, Morwenna carried out a research thesis into creating effective surprise and its effects on players, drawing on influences and theories across the sciences and arts, including biology, psychology, narrative, music and game design. The study tested a theoretical framework through a mixed methodology of practice-based and practice-led research and produced some thought-provoking results.
This session provides a fun and accessible overview of the research findings. It proposes a new theory to explain the study findings and a practical model for the intentional design of surprise to understand, identify and minimise the risks that high surprise events can create.
Session Takeaway
- Some of the key physiological, neurological, and behavioural impacts of surprise.
- Some of the ways the human brain interprets sensory data to create assumptions.
- How 1 and 2 may affect and be leveraged in creating engaging experiences.
- The effects of high surprise in contexts of high uncertainty.
- Identifying potential areas of risk in your game.
- Ideas for how mitigate these risks.
Russ Clarke Payload Studios3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 4Cracking Early Access – From Design to Development – Lessons From the Front Line
Wednesday 10th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 4Do Early Access the right way. Is Early Access right for you? How finished should your game be? How will it impact your games development and future roadmap? How will anyone ever find you?
Russ Clarke CEO and Co-Founder of Payload Studios will answer these questions and many more in this session aimed at studios looking to launch a game into Early Access on Steam.
London-based Payload Studios is launching TerraTech Worlds into Early Access, coming off the back of a top-ten Steam Next Fest performance (#9 out of 1100 demos ranked by followers gained) and building on the legacy of TerraTech, an Early Access success which still sells strongly and maintains a keen community in its 10th year since launch.
Community driven development is in Payload Studios’ DNA and this approach has allowed the studio to sustainably grow to 50+ developers, attract investment and continue to grow its player base and revenue. Clarke will explain why Early Access is a mindset and a methodology which starts long before launch.
Topics:
- What is community driven development and is it right for you?
- Managing community feedback – how do you strike the right balance
- The risk and reward of a detailed public roadmap
- Managing hyper engaged players and what happens if something needs to change
- How to establish your credentials and build momentum as you approach EA
- Using Discord and closed playtests to engage your community
- Steam Next Fest, building wish lists & working with content creators
- What next – the development roadmap after Early Access
Session Takeaway
- How to decide if Early Access is right for your game and studio
- How to embed a true community driven development model
- How to prepare for Early Access to give your game the greatest chance of success
- What next – the development roadmap post Early Access
Anna Winterstein LivelyNina Roussakoff LovewishAndrew Crawshaw ThunkdChavonne Brown Splash DamageDanny Salfield Wadeson Firesprite3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 5Roundtables FREENarrative Design - Mistakes Were Made
Wednesday 10th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 5Join us for a roundtable discussion with a varied bunch of narrative designers, indie, AA, and AAA, to talk about mistakes made and what we can learn from those mistakes.
Host: Nina Roussakoff, Lovewish
Session Takeaway
- Gain valuable insights from 5 experienced narrative designers
- Learn of at least 5 mistakes to avoid
- Gain an understanding of what solutions might be applied if you encounter similar narrative design problems
Steve Ewart Havok3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 6Coding FREEThe Evolution of Using Physics Within Games
Wednesday 10th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 6The graphical representation of our game worlds has reached near photorealistic levels. But what does this mean to the physical representation for us to reach the same higher level of detail? This talk covers a brief history of the physical representation of the game world, before discussing the different approaches we can take using Havok technology to lower the performance barrier and generate the detailed world representations game developers are striving for.
Session Takeaway
- Understand the variety of ways to represent the physical game world.
- Learn about different types of physics queries that can be used to inform non-physical systems.
- How to control simulations that retain the required frame rate for detailed worlds.
4:00pm
Pablo Hoyos Isusquiza Rocksteady4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 1Blood, Sweat & Layers: The Rocksteady Approach To Material Layering
Wednesday 10th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 1A look at Rocksteady's journey into Material Layering, and the system we created to support character customisation. The "quality first" design philosophy and how we created and leveraged tools to create Rocksteady's highest fidelity characters ever! We will cover the rocky beginnings, the conversion of a team into Material Layering and the lessons we learned in the process, as well as the system's strengths and successes as well as its limitations and the aspects that could have been better.
Session Takeaway
- An overview of the character creation process at Rocksteady, with a focus on Materials & Textures
- An understanding of the challenges involved in creating a Material Layering pipeline almost from scratch
- How to overcome a team's initial resistance in order to successfully implement a new and "weird" pipeline
- A chance to peek under the hood and see how the system works
Ihor Pavlovskyi VirtuosPeter Sikachev VirtuosOstap Trush Virtuos4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 2Directional Light Shadows Compute Time-Slicing Optimization
Wednesday 10th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 2In UE5, sun directional shadow calculations are expensive, even when using predominantly Nanite assets. Having a day/night cycle and recomputing the sunlight directional shadow every frame is not affordable for most titles.
In our presentation, we outline the problems that Virtual Shadow Maps in UE5 have with the day/night cycle and propose one solution that consists of distributing shadow computation generated by sunlight between multiple frames.
We present potential performance gains that reach up to 70% on shadow computation as well as talk about visual losses that you may get with this algorithm.We believe that by sharing this idea with developers, we can provide a better understanding of how shadow mapping can be optimized in UE5, as well as in other engines. Furthermore, our goal is to encourage developers to optimize their graphic bottlenecks, so they can gain more frame time budget for other assets and technologies in their games.
Session Takeaway
- Low-level understanding of Virtual Shadow Map (VSM) Clipmap technology in Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) and its limitations
- How to use time-slicing to optimize VSM for a dynamic day-night cycle game in UE5
Elena Höge Yaldi Games4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 3Key Insights and Takeaways from My Kickstarter Journey
Wednesday 10th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 3Last year, I embarked on a Kickstarter campaign and encountered a steep learning curve that encompassed everything from the critical importance of pre-campaign initiatives to the intricacies of setting up a compelling preview page, designing the page and rewards, and strategically planning stretch goals. I’m giving this talk to highlight several dos and don'ts and share these lessons and insights with anyone considering launching their own Kickstarter, aiming to equip you with the knowledge and strategies to navigate your campaign more effectively.
Session Takeaway
- Strategies to effectively build and engage a community before launching a Kickstarter campaign, including targeted advertising and email list growth techniques.
- Best practices for designing a captivating Kickstarter page, setting attractive rewards, and planning stretch goals to motivate backers.
- Insights into managing the live campaign through social media, cross-promotions, and navigating post-campaign logistics for continued success.
Baudelaire Welch Larian Studios4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 4Romance Storytelling in Games
Wednesday 10th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 4Drawing not only from the experiences of being design feature lead for romance and companions on Baldur's Gate 3, but also a lifetime of growing up having crushes on fictional characters, I will present an analysis of how we craft interactive relationships which create real parasocial affection in players. This will be part history of romance features in video games, part analysis of why we crave this feature in the first place, and part suggestions for improving on past designs.
Session Takeaway
- This talk will establish some genre definitions and taxonomise types of romance design within gaming history.
- Simulation of romance in video games has historically led so many questioning LGBT+ individuals to have a safe environment with which to run experiments testing their sexuality.
- We are very good at showing escapist visions of relationships in video games, but we are not particularly good at showing the 'ugly'. I will analyse some of my work trying to depict arguments, drifting apart, power imbalances, and sexual trauma within video game relationships - and what those themes mean to players.
- The talk will overall try to provide insight into more realistic ways to think about relationship design - we aren't collecting 'sex' cards like in Witcher 1 any more.
Dom Shaw UkieSarah Brewster Fresh SeedGina Jackson SkillfulLiz Prince Amiqus4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 5Roundtables FREENo More Boom and Bust: How to Empower Inclusive, Sustainable Businesses
Wednesday 10th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 5The games industry has faced a rough climate over the last year with layoffs, downsizing in resources and more matters arising which has created a lot of uncertainty across the sector and giving people doubts about the future.
One of the biggest causes for the current industry landscape could be attested to the boom and bust nature of game businesses, where projects are driven to the point of achieving a period of great prosperity or rapid economic growth yet most don't get to release due to hazardous development cycles, lack of investment or businesses stepping back from Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) efforts needed to empower employees. While those that do go gold don't often consider what's needed to keep the company and talent within business uplifted in the long run, but rather focus on what's the next project or how can we milk the content we got for as long as possible; which only puts them closer to failing next time. This is not to say every company aligns strictly with this approach because there are clearly some companies that keep the business in check, take care of their people, and overall growth in different pockets of the industry.
With this in mind, what do we need to do differently to survive and thrive?
This roundtable asks and looks to facilitate discussion around the questions:
- Within this precarious market, are project focused methodologies and short-term savings costing us greatly in the long run, and are we missing out on opportunities to attract critical talent and vital investment into our businesses by discounting inclusive working and suitable business practices?
- What is the cost for companies who opt not to invest in business sustainability and people-first mechanisms on all fronts?
- What does an inclusive, sustainable business look like?
Session Takeaway
- Prioritising business sustainability and embedding values of EDI as strategic components for a company; especially in periods of planning and analysis.
- The different ways in which overlooking, or down playing, the important of business sustainability and inclusive practices in the workplace, costs the company as a whole.
- The value of investing in people and businesses today. For a billion pound earning industry to become healthier, uplifting and more mature in the future.
Rebecca Sampson Moxie OpsEmma Smith Hestia Talent Partners4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 6Business FREEPower Up Your Game Studio: The Essential Role of Ops and HR Support for Studio Success
Wednesday 10th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 6Join us for a friendly and informative session on how early collaboration with Operations and HR can transform your Studio's success. Learn how working together with Ops and HR can reduce stress and help your team focus on what they do best - creating amazing games. We'll cover the essential roles and responsibilities of Ops and HR, and share practical insights, compelling data, and actionable advice. This is your chance to discover how investing in these partnerships from the beginning can make a difference. Perfect for Studio owners and leaders, this talk will equip you with the knowledge to leverage Ops and HR for long-term success.
5:00pm
Nick Button-Brown The Games Angels5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 1Raising Money - A Perspective from Both Sides
Wednesday 10th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 1From the newly announced UKBAA Angel of the Year 2024, an honest and open take on the pitfalls of raising finance in the current market, including dispelling or maintaining some of the myths. I've been raising money for many years and have made many mistakes, maybe I can save you making some of those mistakes, or at least allow you to make different mistakes. Will also touch on Funding Quest UK and its goal to improve the financing pipelines for all UK games companies, looking at what we can all do to make it better.
Session Takeaway
The key to any money raise is:
- Make an emotional engagement with your audience
- Build your relationships from a long term point of view
- Make sure you understand the impact of a fundraising decision
Joe Bain Hairy Heart Games5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 2The Craft of Handmade AI
Wednesday 10th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 2The ongoing revolution in artificial intelligence may be worrying. Will we all be redundant in 20 years? Worry not! In this talk you’ll learn how AI can be an empowering force in game development, expanding what’s possible, and even creating jobs.
From Neural Radiance Fields to markerless motion-capture, the new AI wave is letting us capture the world in higher fidelity. Using handmade models and live actors Hairy Heart Games has been exploring how AI can change game making in a positive, creative, and human-centred way.
Session Takeaway
- How to use modern photogrammetry tools to capture game-ready assets.
- How to do motion capture with a smart phone.
- How to work with physical makers from outside the games industry.
Louis Larsson-De Wet The Chinese Room / Sumo Digital5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 3Still Wakes the Deep: Tentacles and Water
Wednesday 10th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 3Still Wakes The Deep is set on an oil rig in the North sea off the coast of Scotland circa December 1975. It’s “The Thing” on an oil rig. The sea, and water in general, plays a big role in our game. Not only are there sprawling vistas of the sea, but you have standing pools of water, flooding rooms and claustrophobic swimming sections.
Water is not your only enemy on the rig – something else came onboard.
For the first part, I will talk about our water implementation, which includes real-time water simulations.
And then in the second part, I will talk about our monsters – in particular procedural animation and how to make them move in a realistic way with their tentacles through a complex environment.
Session Takeaway
- Understand the challenges of having water in a game
- How to implement different kinds of water, including real-time simulated water and dirty water
- See how to make a monster move realistically through a complex environment.
- Niagara Systems and Control Rig in Unreal Engine
Liz Cheng-Moore Playstack5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 4Dissecting the Marketing Magic Behind Balatro’s Successful Launch
Wednesday 10th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 4Join Playstack for an insight-packed session delving into the pre-launch marketing strategy that propelled Balatro to commercial success and widely reviewed with critical acclaim.
As an experienced publisher, Playstack understands the importance of working in partnership with developers to execute an impactful launch that gives a game the greatest possible chance for success. In this talk, we’ll unravel the marketing strategies and tactics that led to Balatro becoming the fastest-selling title in our portfolio, doubling its Steam wishlist numbers in the month leading up to release.
By dissecting the anatomy of the successful launch of Balatro, attendees will gain practical insights and actionable strategies to enhance their own marketing efforts. Whether you're a seasoned publisher or an aspiring developer, join us as we unlock the secrets behind a triumphant game launch.
Session Takeaway
- Explore exactly how to utilise influencer marketing to grow your community before launching your game
- Learn critical strategies to increase your Steam wishlisting and conversions
- Discover how to analyse your marketing data and optimise your campaigns for success
- Hear the challenges and learnings from a real-life case study from the launch of Balatro, Playstack’s fastest-selling game to date
Moo Yu Team Artichoke5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 5Roundtables FREEChanging Company Culture from the Inside
Wednesday 10th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 5No company is perfect, but how do we get things moving in the right direction or moving at all?
Moo would like to start a discussion about identifying team culture issues within a company as an individual employee, but also when viewing for a potential role from the outside.
We'd also like to discuss strategies and share stories of what has an hasn't work for people, whether it's building up support for change within the team or saving up political capital for the causes that are important to you.
And lastly, when you manage to succeed, how do you prevent things from slipping back?
A POC in Play social will follow this Roundtable. All are welcome.
Session Takeaway
- Strategically approaching company culture issues
- When it's worth fighting and when it's time to go
- Tips for leadership to be more receptive to improve your company culture
Nick Poole Ukie5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 6Business FREEShaping Your Future: Ukie is Here to Help
Wednesday 10th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 6After the exponential growth during a pandemic, the games industry has faced significant headwinds this year. From industry layoffs to a tight finance market, 2024 is proving to be a challenging year for UK games businesses. Ukie’s new CEO, Nick Poole, provides an assessment of the key challenges that industry is facing now, how Ukie plans to support developers over the next twelve months and why collective action is the key to unlocking government support for the next five years.
Session Takeaway
- The key trends shaping our industry in the next 12 months
- How can Ukie support developers in overcoming these challenges
- What can we collectively call for from Government to help the sector grow
Wednesday After Hours Events
15.00 - 17.00: Women in Games Fizz and Cake in 1890 Restaurant (off hotel lobby)
17.00 - 18.00: Expo Mixer
19.00: Develop:Star Awards at the Brighton Dome
20.00: GamesIndustry.biz Summer Party
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10:00am
Caroline Marchal INTERIOR/NIGHT10:00am - 11:00amRoom 1KEYNOTE: Crafting Multiplayer Story-centric Experiences: What Makes INTERIOR/NIGHT Tick
Thursday 11th July10:00am - 11:00amRoom 1INTERIOR/NIGHT's founder and Creative Director Caroline Marchal will discuss why the studio is passionate about interactive narrative, a genre ripe with opportunities, and where it can go: the chance to break the invisible ceiling of video games and appeal to all generations, regardless of players' skills.
She will show how the studio approaches game development for multiplayer interactive narrative experiences and how they design and write with empathy to generate empathy.
Caroline will provide an overview of the team's bespoke development process with examples from As Dusk Falls, their award-winning debut game, and will also discuss why a good story isn't enough. How you play the story and what it reveals about who you are makes it a deep and memorable experience, beyond pure entertainment.
Adele Cutting (Audio Track Co-Host) SoundcutsMatthew Florianz (Audio Track Co-Host) Frontier Developments10:00am - 10:15amRoom 4Audio Track Welcome & Introduction
Thursday 11th July10:00am - 10:15amRoom 4This year’s Audio Track hosts, Adele Cutting and Matthew Florianz, welcome attendees and introduce the day’s audio programme.
Kasparas Eidukonis Massive Entertainment - a Ubisoft StudioSimon Stevnhoved Massive Entertainment - A Ubisoft Studio10:15am - 11:00amRoom 4Avatar: Frontiers of Sound Propagation
Thursday 11th July10:15am - 11:00amRoom 4New gen consoles and modern GPU hardware have opened new opportunities for how sound propagation can be handled in games. In Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, these new opportunities sent the sound crew on a journey to the realms of raytracing and voxelized path finding, towards the ultimate goal: a real-time propagation solution providing an obstruction and occlusion simulation that’s scalable, supports dynamic environments, uses existing data, requires no baking steps, no adding of rooms and portals, or tagging materials with absorption values. Spoiler alert: they did not quite get there! However, in this talk, two senior members of the audio team will present their intriguing and impressive final solution sharing what they learned along the way.
Session Takeaway
- Hear how Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora utilizes GPU raytracing for sound propagation.
- Learn how the team's understanding of obstruction, occlusion and attenuation changed through the development.
- Gain insights into the iterative workflow between audio code and sound design.
11:15am
Izzy Jagan Square EnixTaya Beleanina Etch PlayHannah Flynn Failbetter Games11:15am - 12:00pmRoom 1What Games Marketing Actually Works in 2024?
Thursday 11th July11:15am - 12:00pmRoom 1Led by experienced marketers from various marketing disciplines in games, this panel discussion is a chance for us to come together and discuss the state of play for discoverability and other marketing matters. We’ll be debating the challenges facing us in 2024, and how they can be overcome, to create an effective online presence for your games.
- Working with creators: when to pay for coverage
- Which social networks are still worth investing in?
- The challenge of multitasking as a marketer
- The job landscape for games marketers
- Creating an effective online presence for games
Whether you work in games marketing currently, or are just interested in it, you’ll be welcome as we reflect on the state of the industry, with regards to PR, social media, and more.
Host: Taya Beleanina, Etch Play
Session Takeaway
- A holistic sense of how the wider marketing industry is reacting to the latest industry trends
- How to create truly effective touchpoints online for greater discoverability
- Advice from peers about specific challenges facing games marketing departments and marketers in 2024
Nina Klos Sumo Digital11:15am - 12:00pmRoom 2A Deep Dive into Technical Art
Thursday 11th July11:15am - 12:00pmRoom 2Does technical art seem mysterious and confusing? And why is everyone looking for it? During this talk Nina discusses what technical art is, the history behind how technical art started and how they fit into larger developer teams. Including examples & practical advice on cultivating a technical art skillset.
Session Takeaway
- An understanding of what technical art is & it’s history
- The skills needed to be a technical artist
- Approaching a problem from a technical art perspective
Nigel Twumasi mayamada11:15am - 12:00pmRoom 3Onboarding the Next Generation of Games Talent
Thursday 11th July11:15am - 12:00pmRoom 3The first members of Generation Z are approaching working age, and Generation Alpha are not far behind. The video game industry must adapt to attract, develop, and retain these future generations who have different motivations, values, and expectations around work. Studios that don't evolve their talent strategies risk missing out on an incredible pool of diverse, creative thinkers.
We will explore how the industry currently engages with young talent and provide practical takeaways for teams looking to work with the next generation of video game professionals, including those who may be unsure about taking any early steps into a career in games.
The talk will be delivered by mayamada co-founder Nigel Twumasi, who will explore the strategies needed to understand these generations' values and provide meaningful development opportunities. He will provide insight from his experiences working with young people through mayamada’s youth workshop delivery and Showrunners Work Experience programme.
For over 7 years, they have worked with young people across creative industries and bring a deep understanding of what motivates young talent that video game leaders can apply to their team-building process. By better understanding what drives the next generation and effectively partnering with grassroots organisations, the games industry can build an ecosystem to nurture young diverse talent. This will help fuel innovation, improve games, and create more inclusive workplaces.
Ultimately, our industry benefits from the continued injection of fresh ideas and perspectives, and there is much we can learn from younger generations if we can better understand how to effectively engage with the workforce of the foreseeable future.
Session Takeaway
- Identifying the hurdles to attracting and retaining Gen Z and Alpha talent to video game roles.
- What young talent can bring to improve game development, and where they fall short.
- Building the ecosystem: How to effectively partner with youth and grassroots organisations for a robust talent pipeline.
- Practical steps both game studios and young developers can take today to cultivate an inclusive, diverse and creative work environment.
Matthew Lightbound Dambuster StudiosRyan Williams Dambuster Studios11:15am - 12:00pmRoom 4Elevating Diegetic Music – Tuning into Dead Island 2’s Identity
Thursday 11th July11:15am - 12:00pmRoom 4Embark on an intriguing exploration of diegetic music through the lens of Dead Island 2 and its influences, as the Dambuster Audio team discuss evolving diegetic music beyond conventional boundaries. This often-untapped methodology is explored as they delve into creating unique cinematic moments, employing non-traditional implementation techniques, and collaborating across departments to achieve the standout moments of Dead Island 2.
Attendees are invited to unravel the concept of 'diegetic blurring' and its transformative impact on Dead Island 2's music design. Instances are explored where diegetic music seamlessly contributes to character development and enhances gameplay. Additionally, the team will share insights into using non-music technology to vividly depict the vibrant cultural environments.
The talk also touches on the practical aspects of production in diegetic music, from crafting bespoke assets to navigating the intricacies of working with licensed music. This is an insightful journey into the world of game diegesis, with practical learnings focused on increasing player immersion and drama, providing valuable takeaways for those eager to delve into the intricacies of diegetic soundscapes.
Session Takeaway
- How to approach the creative decisions and production of diegetic music in new and exciting ways.
- Implementation techniques that go beyond the normal radio/playlist approach and how these techniques inform the creative decisions.
- Learn varied approaches to presenting diegetic music to the player that provide more bang for buck.
- Insights into the developer experience of using licensed music, including the creative process and logistical implications.
Chris Hunter d3tJasper Barnes Team17 Digital11:15am - 12:00pmRoom 5Roundtables FREEYou Are Not an Imposter: Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
Thursday 11th July11:15am - 12:00pmRoom 5We’ve both had quite severe imposter syndrome for many years, and have taken time to reflect on how it has affected our mental state. Recently we realised that I hadn’t felt that way for quite a few months! Through the use of tricks that have been accumulated over the years we have unknowingly developed similar-but-different strategies for overcoming it. We now use, share, and want to continue to share those skills to help others who are in similar positions to help them get past their own blockers and reach their full potential.
We will explain the techniques and skills that we now use to deal with imposter syndrome as well as how this has enabled us to have far healthier mental states – as well as looking to hear from attendees about any techniques that they’ve developed themselves.
This is a very widespread challenge throughout our industry, and we believe that by creating space for the open conversations and sharing advice around how to live with imposter syndrome, we can all be of help to a lot of people.
If we can get past it, anyone can.
Session Takeaway
- Ways to recognise imposter syndrome.
- Practical tips and advice to overcome it
- Advice on how to live with it.
- Support in how to begin feeling empowered by it.
Melissa (MJ) Lewis Firestoke11:15am - 11:45amRoom 6Indie BootCamp FREEWhy You (Don’t) Need A Publisher For Your Indie Game
Thursday 11th July11:15am - 11:45amRoom 6Aimed at indie teams and solo developers, this talk will cover best practices for early game development and seek to demystify the process of signing with a publisher - if you want and need to.
There are a lot of misconceptions about what it means to work with a publisher - for some it's the ultimate goal, and for others, something to avoid on principle. Regardless of your personal position on the matter, getting a game to release is no easy task, and there are lots of pitfalls to avoid - especially for smaller teams that don't have any resources to waste.
This session will give practical advice for developing a game in a robust and efficient way, and outline key areas in which a publisher can support that development. Ultimately the things learned in the session will be useful for all indie devs, no matter their position on publishing.
Session Takeaway
- Understanding of where and how a publisher can support indie game development
- Prompts to help you decide if you really need that support to achieve your goals
- Better understanding of the console development process
- Useful tips to encourage robust and efficient game development in small teams
Alyx Jones Silver Script GamesKirsty Gillmore Freelance11:45am - 12:15pmRoom 6Indie BootCamp FREESensitive Content: Telling a Challenging Personal Story in The Quiet Things
Thursday 11th July11:45am - 12:15pmRoom 6From childhood cancer to mental health to the life of refugees, the accessible nature of indie games makes them an excellent medium to tell personal stories and create singular experiences. But how do we unflinchingly approach chronicles which are centred around sensitive and heavy content? And how do we endeavour to investigate the corners of emotionally raw stories, as honestly as possible, without causing trauma to a development team?
The Quiet Things is based around one of those stories. Developed by Silver Script Games and based on real diaries written by founder Alyx Jones, this autobiographical narrative game tells the story of Alice from the ages of 8-17 and her experiences with childhood abuse, self-harm, mental health, attempted suicide, grooming and sexual abuse. The game has a deep focus on storytelling through audio and the themes are primarily communicated through diary entries, sound design and dialogue.
This presentation by Silver Script Games founder Alyx Jones, and Voice & Casting Director Kirsty Gillmore, will explore how a micro-indie studio with limited funding has approached the daunting task of creating an autobiographical game where emotional and often upsetting themes are a core part of the narrative. It will explore the ways in which Alice’s story has been told so far, and the emphasis on audio content and dialogue to convey that story. It will also cover how development choices impacted funding, the effect on the team, and the measures taken to enable them to work without compromising their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Session Takeaway
- Learn ways in which you can approach the inclusion of challenging themes in narrative games
- Consider how to approach real life content when applying this to a video game
- How to prioritise and protect your team’s emotional and mental health throughout the development process
- How to approach funding for non-design aspects of game development e.g. resources to support team mental health and well-being
12:15pm
Antonia Forster Unity12:15pm - 1:00pmRoom 1Getting Started Developing for Apple Vision Pro Using Unity
Thursday 11th July12:15pm - 1:00pmRoom 1In this talk, you'll learn the fundamentals of building to the Apple Vision Pro (or the Apple Vision Pro Simulator) using Unity. We'll explore the different modes of applications you can build for the device and learn about Unity's visionOS support (including Unity's PolySpatial package for visionOS development). You'll learn about the tools and workflows required to deploy to the device, and the samples and templates available to help you get started. This session is your gateway to unlocking the potential of creating immersive applications for Apple's innovative platform.
Session Takeaway
- The different types of applications you can build forApple Vision Pro
- Requirements for visionOS development
- The different types of applications you can build for Apple Vision Pro
Sara Reeve Draw Brighton12:15pm - 1:00pmRoom 2Live Figure Drawing (Costumed Short Poses)
Thursday 11th July12:15pm - 1:00pmRoom 2This figure drawing session will be fast paced, with a mixture of different short poses times of up to 10 mins in length. This is a great chance to practise gestural life drawing, working from the most dynamic and varied poses a model can hold! If you are new to figure drawing, the large number of poses offers a chance to experiment and play without the pressure to create a polished outcome. Led by Draw, we’ll be drawing from a clothed professional life model posing to music. This class is suitable for all levels of ability with beginners welcome - we will be on hand to give you any extra support you might need.
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN DRAWING MATERIALS AND SKETCHBOOKS!David Solari Soul Assembly12:15pm - 1:00pmRoom 3How to Make Money in XR - 10 Tips for Success
Thursday 11th July12:15pm - 1:00pmRoom 3What to expect:
- Learn from the best: Gain insights from David's extensive experience in traditional and XR game development.
- Master the XR: Understand the unique challenges and opportunities presented by AR and VR compared to "pancake" games.
- Become market savvy: Analyze successful VR/AR titles to identify winning genres, price points, and features.
- Embrace interactivity: Explore innovative interaction mechanics used in games like Walking Dead and Gorilla Tag.
- Craft remarkable experiences: Leverage VR/AR tech to create unique and unforgettable gameplay moments.
- Fuel your marketing engine: Discover social media strategies, targeted advertising, and impactful campaigns to reach your audience.
- Build for stability: Ensure a smooth and seamless experience with rock-solid performance and intuitive controls.
- Passion is key: Find a project that fuels your creative fire and leverages your expertise.
- Forge powerful partnerships: Learn how to build strong relationships with key players in the XR ecosystem.
- Market like a pro: Optimize your marketing spend for maximum impact and trackable results.
Session Takeaway
- Make something that's better in XR
- Make something there is an audience for
- Market it in the right way
Richard Lapington Remedy EntertainmentAnika Neubert Remedy Entertainment12:15pm - 1:00pmRoom 4Alan Wake II: Staying in the Light on the Journey to Building an Audio Team & Achieving a Vision
Thursday 11th July12:15pm - 1:00pmRoom 4Join Remedy Entertainment's Audio Director, Richard Lapington, and Senior Development Manager, Anika Neubert, as they explore the intricate interplay between audio vision, leadership, team dynamics, and meeting shipping deadlines. In this insightful session, they will dissect their approach to developing the BAFTA award winning audio of Alan Wake 2, offering valuable insights into the challenges and strategies involved in bringing the game's auditory experience to life.
Session Takeaway
- Creative Audio Vision: Gain insights into how we bring our audio vision to life for our development team.
- Collaborative Efforts: Discover how our collaboration between Audio and Production drives the unique needs of audio development.
- Innovative Team Building: Discover how we foster teamwork in the complex audio work environment.
- Effective Strategies: Learn about the strategies we've employed to overcome the distinctive challenges of the audio development cycle.
Hayley Blundy FuturLab12:15pm - 1:00pmRoom 5Roundtables FREEIt’s Cool to be Kind - Mental Health and Wellbeing Support at Work
Thursday 11th July12:15pm - 1:00pmRoom 5A roundtable to discuss success stories of great mental health and wellness support in the workplace. Ideal for studios looking to add or increase visibility of Mental Health and wellness best practices and a welcoming, open space to seek advice, guidance, and insight on these topics.
Session Takeaway
- What great Mental Health and Wellness support at work looks like with practical ideas to try at your workplace
- Inspiration for everyday acts of kindness
- Insightful conversation with likeminded people.
Niall Taylor Scallywag Arcade12:15pm - 12:45pmRoom 6Indie BootCamp FREEDesigning Games for Influencers (and Why that Might Not be the Best Idea)
Thursday 11th July12:15pm - 12:45pmRoom 6Unbelievable exposure, countless eyes on your product and skyrocketing sales - whether on YouTube or Twitch, getting your game into the hands of the biggest names in the influencer and streaming ecosystem remains the holy grail for many game developers, especially those without the clout of a massive marketing budget. But does it ever really work out that way?
In this frank and honest case study, Niall - who has had millions of views across multiple titles after coverage from some of the biggest influencers in the industry - lays bare the reality of that coveted situation, sharing stories, sales figures and screenshots of some REALLY mean comments. From the design decisions that helped put his games in the spotlight, to the wildly unexpected financial outcomes, attendees will learn what happens when the dust settles and for some reason you’re still not a millionaire.
Session Takeaway
- What elements of your game’s design and marketing will appeal most to streamers and influencers, and how to capitalise on that.
- The reality of what achieving “influencer success” means for your game financially and otherwise.
- Understanding of what customer conversion is, and why it may mean you’re targeting the wrong people.
- The mental health toll that “influencer success” can have.
- Positive ways your game can target influencers.
Gav Shepherd Rev Rooms12:45pm - 1:15pmRoom 6Indie BootCamp FREEGrowing Pains - How to Scale Without Breaking the Thing You Love
Thursday 11th July12:45pm - 1:15pmRoom 6In this talk, I dig into the subject of culture, its relevance when you’re a 3 person startup, and how it evolves as the company grows. Keen to get it right and make our company a great place to work, I studied for an MA in entrepreneurship and culture. As part of my dissertation I asked games industry CEO’s and founders what good and bad culture meant to them, whether current leadership styles were worthy of the hype and is there even any place for vulnerability at the top, especially in the current climate. Turns out good old fashioned strategy, process and planning were more important than the beer fridge in creating a secure environment for people to do great work.
I will explore what worked well and what didn’t:
- Why acting like a bigger company than we were was one of the key ingredients.
- Running weekly skill-share workshops is the secret sauce for happy creative people.
- Why not accepting every job you get offered protects your culture.
- Why no one is reading the Vision/Mission/Values statement.
Session Takeaway
- The culture of the company comes from the founders.
- Culture isn’t perks.
- Acting big - why planning ahead created stability and security.
- Beware new people bringing bad culture with them.
- No one reads values and vision statements so why bother?
1:00pm
Nigel Twumasi mayamadaTazziii mayamada1:00pm - 2:00pmRoom 3FREEStory x Story: Live from the Coast @ Develop:Brighton
Thursday 11th July1:00pm - 2:00pmRoom 3Join the mayamada team at Develop:Brighton for a special live recording of the Story x Story Podcast! Hosted by mayamada Co-Founder Nigel Twumasi and Creative Director Tazziii, we're diving into the heart of the gaming industry. Attendees across the spectrum are invited, from aspiring professionals and freelancers to indie developers and AAA studios to share their stories, as well as best practices and initiatives for fostering a more inclusive gaming community.
Our aim is to complement the conference's objectives by providing a relaxed yet thought-provoking platform for meaningful conversations around the games industry. We will be looking to highlight the diverse perspectives present at the conference, raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities in promoting diversity within the industry, and inspire underrepresented groups to explore careers in gaming. If you want more of your voice to be represented in games, then don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation shaping the future of our industry.
Tom Cole University of Greenwich1:00pm - 1:45pmRoom 5Roundtables FREE“It’s Good to Talk”: Building Bridges Between the Games Industry and Academia
Thursday 11th July1:00pm - 1:45pmRoom 5Further and Higher Education Games Development courses wish to produce high-quality graduates who go on to be employed in the industry, thereby improving their student outcomes, increasing student satisfaction and contributing to their marketing and growth. At the same time, the industry is sometimes struggling to find enough good-quality talent to maintain their own growth targets.
Everyone would benefit from clearer communication of the challenges of one sector to the other, and of collaborative solutions which benefit both parties. Following on from two years of very successful roundtable sessions on this topic, this session aims to encourage discussions, collaboration and reflection to help forge new partnerships and move towards meeting the needs of both education and industry.
Session Takeaway
- Clear communication of what issues and pressures are facing Higher Education
- Clear communication of the issues and pressures facing the games industry
- Collaborative generation and discussion of potential solutions to benefit both sides
2:00pm
Patricia Toledo Playsense2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 1Game On: Navigating Crisis with Creative Video Game Marketing Strategies
Thursday 11th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 1In this talk, Patty Toledo will dive into the unique world of video game marketing during times of crisis. Discover how to craft compelling marketing campaigns that captivate gamers' hearts and minds, even when the going gets tough and budgets are limited. Patty Toledo will explore innovative approaches to storytelling, community engagement, and digital experiences that can help your game stand out in a saturated market. Learn how to leverage social media, influencer partnerships, and immersive events to build anticipation and loyalty, all while thinking outside the box and maintaining sensitivity to the challenges your audience faces. This presentation will provide game marketers with the insights and inspiration needed to adapt and thrive, turning crisis situations into opportunities for growth and connection.
Session Takeaway
- Adaptability is Key: Emphasis on the importance of being flexible and creative with marketing strategies, especially during crises.
- Community and Storytelling Drive Engagement: Highlight how building a strong community and using compelling storytelling can significantly enhance loyalty and interest in your game.
- Leverage Digital Innovations and Influencer Partnerships: Stress the effectiveness of digital experiences and influencer collaborations in extending the reach and impact of marketing campaigns.
Jason Chown vTimeAndrew Webb vTime2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 2Maximising Impact with AI: Ethical Strategies for Developing a Top-Rated Game on a Modest Budget
Thursday 11th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 2The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has been unstoppable, promising game developers a slew of transformative and time-saving benefits, yet for many, quality, ethical, and legal concerns stop them from integrating AI into their workflows. This session will explore how vTime Games used its proprietary AI tech stack ethically to create a 4.9/5 VR game on a modest budget, giving the team more time for the polish and feature additions that have seen it capture the hearts of its players.
Discover how we used innovative AI tech, including sentiment analysis and text-to-speech tools, to streamline the development process for Border Bots VR, resulting in significant time and cost savings. Learn how AI enabled our characters to express a wide range of emotions on a budget, making them feel alive and fostering a unique connection with players. Explore how we combined AI capabilities with real voice actors, striking a balance between technological efficiency and the irreplaceable human touch. In this talk, we’ll share insights into how these innovations not only elevate game design and development but can also offer players engaging, interactive, and personalised gaming experiences beyond the average development budget.Session Takeaway
- Discover strategies for utilising AI to achieve top-tier game quality without overspending.
- Learn how AI tools like sentiment analysis and text-to-speech can optimise development workflows without replacing roles by augmenting your capabilities, elevating your game from good to exceptional.
- Explore how AI, combined with voice acting, can accelerate the creation of characters that resonate deeply with players, enhancing emotional connection.
Indigo Levy Oxalis Games2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 3Creating a World from a Word
Thursday 11th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 3This session will outline a step-by-step process that starts with nothing and ends in a storyworld; a fully fleshed-out narrative and world that players will want to return to.
I will take the audience through a breakdown of my process - created through my own personal experiences and challenges - which will also involve an explanation on why narrative is so vital to creating successful games, including specific examples of games currently released that have seen tangible benefits through the use of narrative.
I will go through each step I identified and undertook one-by-one, in order to offer an approach to narrative design that can add value to whatever project you may be working on, and help you make informed and rationale-based decisions to better serve your own projects. Notable steps of the process will include things such as designing systems to tell your story, forming restrictions and theories to help create something potentially wonderful from nothing, and coping mechanisms when the daunting task ahead of you seems a little too intimidating…
From experience, a little step can take you a long way. I hope to share some of the knowledge I’ve accumulated in the last two years to help anyone else who may eventually, or already is, walking in similar shoes - with the aim of making a daunting task a little more bite-size and manageable.
Session Takeaway
- What narrative design is, and why it’s so valuable
- A process for coming up with a narrative from scratch
- How to communicate that narrative in your game
- How to develop your design skills in order to make decisions that will most benefit the game
- How to create a narrative that will develop a strong emotional connection between the player and the game
Josh Weeden PitStop Productions2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 4From Script to Story - Enhancing Gameplay Through Perfomance
Thursday 11th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 4Erin Somervail JagexNicolas Pirot ZA/UM (Disco Elysium)2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 5VFX Roundtable
Thursday 11th July2:00pm - 2:45pmRoom 5An opportunity for VFX artists of all levels to meet and exchange knowledge and wisdom, and discuss the various challenges we have to deal with in our careers.
Non VFX artists are also welcome to come and gain an insight into how to work closely with their VFX colleagues to create visually stunning (and bug free) games!
Session Takeaway
- You will have a better idea of how VFX artists work in other studios
- You will get helpful advice about best practise in project and asset organisation
- You will get some tips to improve communication with other departments in your workplace
Tommy Thompson AI and Games2:00pm - 2:30pmRoom 6Indie BootCamp FREEA Hype-Free Examination of Generative AI in Videogames
Thursday 11th July2:00pm - 2:30pmRoom 6Depending on your perspective, generative AI for games is something you're either incredibly hyped for, or sick of hearing about it. There's a lot of hype surrounding generative AI for games, but is there any substance? There are a myriad of tools emerging that offer to democratise development, but is adopting them going to introduce unnecessary risk to production? If you use a GPT plugin, will the game still be accepted on Steam? Does it actually save us any money in the long run?
This talk will provide a grounded, and hype-free overview of the current state of the art in generative AI. How these systems work, what tools are available, and what benefits and risks can emerge by adopting them into a production pipeline and later trying to publish the final product. The goal is to arm attendees with a greater knowledge of this technology trend, and how best to approach these tools and services in current and future projects.
Session Takeaway
- Understand the current state of generative AI developments and what impact it can and will have on specific areas of production.
- Learn what factors to be aware of when using a generative AI tool that could introduce additional costs, create legal issues or impede publication.
- Develop a broader understanding of the potential long-term benefits and risks of using generative AI tools in production.
Martin Poirier Behaviour Interactive2:30pm - 3:00pmRoom 6Indie BootCamp FREEMaximizing AI’s Potential Without Diminishing Human Value
Thursday 11th July2:30pm - 3:00pmRoom 6This session will cover Behaviour Interactive’s approach to Generative AI, demystifying the hype and fear. Learn how a pragmatic, human-centered approach can help to identify facts from fallacies. Gain insights into treating Generative AI as a standard technological choice, identifying pitfalls, and discovering practical, creative, and useful applications. Join us to uncover real-world examples and key takeaways for unique use cases.
Session Takeaway
- A fact-based, pragmatic approach to emerging technologies like Generative AI
- Solutions that enhance human capabilities, not replace them
- Optimize your efficiency by focusing on what matters
3:00pm
Semyon Voinov ZeptoLab3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 1Mobile Game Artist: 2024 Edition
Thursday 11th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 1I will use my experience to offer practical advice on achieving success in every stage of your career as a mobile game artist, lead artist and art director. I'll talk about the current state of the industry and the ways AI tools are transforming the art pipeline and a required skill set. I will explore the challenging decision many artists face in their careers: whether to become a manager or focus on their artistic craft.
This session will primarily focus on mobile game development, given my background.Session Takeaway
- Up-to-date advice on building a career in mobile game art
- Information on the impact of AI tools and how to adjust to the changes
- Advice on approaching an artist/manager dilemma
Rod Stafford UnityMicaela Hays Unity3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 2The Challenges of Successfully Launching & Sustaining Multiplayer Games
Thursday 11th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 2Rod and Micaela will draw from their experience working with games of all genre, engine and scale to outline the challenges of designing, launching and sustaining multiplayer games, looking particularly at key choices of technology approach to game server hosting and the moderation of in-game text and voice chat.
Session Takeaway
- How to select your best game server hosting option
- How to implement effective moderation for text and voice chat
Sarah Ticho HatsumiAndrea Boo Way StudioKirsty Jennings Anagram3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 3Empathy Through XR
Thursday 11th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 3How can the development of XR games open conversations around well-being, neurodiversity, and general human to human connection? The possibilities of immersion and embodiment brought about by XR games unlock whole new worlds for non-main stream games. This session explores these ideas and potential.
Sarah from Hatsumi has a body of virtual reality games that has a proven track record of positively impacting the mental health and well-being of individuals of a wide age range. Boo from Way Studio has been pioneering well-being mixed reality experiences, bridging co-production opportunities between Singapore and the UK.
Together, they will be sharing case studies of games they have made, the lessons learnt, and the processes of making these applications. They are hoping to find collaborators and partners who are also interested in exploring possible social prescribing models to further human relationships, understand human experience, and support community and connection, through making VR and MR games.
Session Takeaway
- Exposure to wellbeing-centric VR and MR games
- Impact of virtual reality and mixed reality games
- Experience design notes when creating XR games
Danijel Djuric EA DICERasmus Brun Thorup EA DICE3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 4Battlefield 2042 - Growing the Audio Experience Through an Evolving Game
Thursday 11th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 4In this talk Danijel Djuric, DICE Sr Sound Designer, and Rasmus Thorup, DICE Sound Designer, will discuss working with audio in a game that continues to live and evolve after its release. How we adapted to a new perspective after the complex launch of Battlefield 2042. How we worked in a truly live environment balancing the player's real time feedback with the areas of biggest positive impact. And how we continued to evolve the sound and music of 2042 as the creative vision for the game continued to grow and develop post launch.
Session Takeaway
- Challenges of evolving the game audio vision with real time player feedback.
- Learning to pick your fights, what will result in the most “bang for the buck”?
- Daring to do things differently, engaging the players.
- Adapting to a new perspective of the game post launch.
Christina Logan Crybaby StudiosJess Hyland Maxis EAAustin Kelmore IWGB3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 5Roundtables FREESupporting Workers Through Redundancies
Thursday 11th July3:00pm - 3:45pmRoom 5In light of recent layoffs shaking the industry, community and mutual support have become more crucial than ever. Join us in a conversation about how we can empower ourselves to support each other through redundancies, and how we can improve the stability of the industry through collective action.
This conversation aims to create a space where we can share our experiences and ideas, and discuss practical steps we can take. Learn your legal rights during a redundancy, and how you can access legal support.
Our goal is to ensure that every worker feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute to our shared success, particularly in these challenging times. This session is based on an open meeting held in October 2023, which was attended by over 50 members of the industry. Since then almost an additional 10,000 workers have been made redundant from the industry, with no signs of slowing down.
Host: Christina Logan, Crybaby Studios
Session Takeaway
- Basic worker’s rights and laws around redundancy
- How to support co-workers facing redundancy
- How the redundancy consultation process works and people’s experiences of redundancy
Marco Ng Otterweave Games Studio3:00pm - 3:30pmRoom 6Indie BootCamp FREEKickstarting Your Indie Game Studio as a Graduate / Student!
Thursday 11th July3:00pm - 3:30pmRoom 6While getting a job in the game industry after graduating is definitely something to aim for, have you ever considered starting your indie game studio by yourself or with some friends to Kickstart your game career?
As an indie game developer who is working on an enterprise program at the University of York, Marco kickstarted his indie game studio business - Otterweave Games Studio around a year ago - with the aim to combine different genres with rich narratives and craft intriguing gameplay experiences, as well as providing work-for-hire services for interactive experiences and games.With his previous experience as a solo game developer and by doing a couple of internships with different organizations, he created his game studio with a small amount of business experience. In order to get an understanding of the game industry, he developed his knowledge of how things work through research, as well as attending events and networking throughout his journey as an indie dev.
Come to this session to listen to his journey as an indie game developer so far, and how he was able to create his branding, craft his game pitch, navigate within the game industry, etc. And hopefully, this will give you some inspiration on whether you would like to take this route!
Session Takeaway
- Learn about the different approaches to structuring your game studio business model
- Understand the types of things you will have to consider when approaching the branding of your studio
- Learn more about how you could create game prototypes and conduct player testing efficiently
- Gain knowledge of different resources that could help support your indie game studio
- Learn how to get the most out of networking events and create opportunities for your studio
- Get some tips on managing your time efficiently when you are working on your business
Anni Valkama Playtonic Games3:30pm - 4:00pmRoom 6Indie BootCamp FREEIndie Marketer’s Lament: Stop Winging It!
Thursday 11th July3:30pm - 4:00pmRoom 6Marketing, that mysterious hard to describe elusive entity that far too often enters the consciousness of an indie developer when it is already too late. But what is it exactly that marketing does? Why it is not just tweets or a trailer? When should it start? And why is it necessary for a title's success in the current climate of gaming?
Intended for audiences with minimal or no prior experience with marketing games, this talk goes back into the very basics, covering marketing research in its simplest terms, importance of assets such as key art and your Steam page, planning an effective marketing timeline and activities, how to effectively spend your marketing budget and/or free tools at your disposal, and breaking some hard truths around marketing, or lack there of, versus the commercial success of a title.
We would all love to have just that one viral tweet that sets everything into motion, but in a climate where nearly 14,000 games launched on Steam in 2023, are you willing to risk it?
Session Takeaway
- How to go about planning and executing an effective marketing plan for your indie game
- Examples on how to spend your marketing budget
- What free tools and opportunities are available for you if you have minimal or no marketing budget to work with
- Marketing should be involved in a project from the very beginning, not only near launch
4:00pm
Eloise Singer Singer Studios4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 1The Art of Cinematic Storytelling in Video Games
Thursday 11th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 1Exploring the craft of cinematic storytelling in video games, multi-award-winning writer and director Eloise Singer will draw upon her experience as a filmmaker and creative director to share her insights into creating compelling story worlds within games.
Eloise will discuss how her background in filmmaking has been creatively significant when developing narrative games. She will also offer insights into creating strong narratives and attaching talent to your game.
Eloise’s latest project, the VR narrative adventure ‘The Pirate Queen with Lucy Liu,’ supported by BFI, Meta, and Epic Games, won the Tribeca Storyscapes Award and the Raindance Discovery Award, and was released on Meta Quest in 2024. The award-winning game featured a writers’ room before the development of the game’s mechanics, resulting in an immersive experience centred around a compelling true story of an otherwise little-known historical figure.
Eloise will share her insights into the impact of this approach, how to create compelling characters, and what you can do to improve your dialogue to help an actor’s performance.
Additionally, Eloise will explore practical techniques for integrating cinematic storytelling into video game narrative design and recognising how creative obstacles can become opportunities.
Session Takeaway
- Discover strategies for integrating cinematic storytelling techniques into video game narrative design.
- Understand how to create engaging dialogue to develop well-rounded characters.
- Learn the importance of attaching talent to your game and how it can enhance storytelling.
- Recognise where creative obstacles can actually lead to creative opportunities.
- Develop practical techniques for creating compelling characters within video game narratives.
Terry Goodwin Lab42 GamesCindy Archer Lab42 Games4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 2Dropping the Mask: Neuro-Inclusion for Wellbeing, Productivity and Staff Retention
Thursday 11th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 2Game development has long been recognized as a neurodiverse industry, but when neurodivergent people don’t feel supported or are afraid to be authentic to themselves in the workplace this can lead to ‘masking’ (hiding of neurodivergent traits that may be stigmatized) and burnout. In turn this has a detrimental effect on productivity and staff retention. Lab42 Games Studio Director Terry Goodwin, and Studio Neurodiversity Champion Cindy Archer explain what steps Lab42 has taken to create a safe and supportive workplace for its neurodivergent community to ‘unmask’ and reach their true potential.
Session Takeaway
- Our industry is far above the average for neurodiverse workers, and that’s okay
- An understanding of how common causes of neurodiversity related inefficiencies in a development environment are affecting your margins, and your staff retention
- Practical suggestions of small, medium and large changes you can make to your studio to support neurodivergent people and unlock their potential
Dominik Jeurissen Queen Mary University of London4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 3LLM Agents for QA - Potential & Limitations
Thursday 11th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 3With tight deadlines and a constantly evolving game, properly testing a game is challenging. Using AI agents to simplify this work sounds promising, but machine learning is often too slow, and manually implementing the agents takes time. As such, one particularly exciting application for QA is to use Large Language Models (LLMs) as zero-shot game-playing agents. LLM-based agents can play games without pre-training, making them a valuable asset to test a constantly changing game. But how well do they play games? What are their strengths, and what do they struggle with?
In this session, we will review how to implement zero-shot agents with LLMs and show examples of existing LLM-based game-playing agents. We will also show that although these agents have many limitations, they have the potential to be a valuable tool for QA to automate many repetitive tasks.
Session Takeaway
- An overview of the cutting-edge research on LLM-based zero-shot game-playing agents.
- Learn what these agents can do well and what their limitations are.
- Practical tips on how to utilize LLM agents as QA tools.
Jakob Schmid Geometric Interactive4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 4Music of the Orbs: Real-time Synthesis in COCOON
Thursday 11th July4:00pm - 4:45pmRoom 4Composer / programmer Jakob Schmid will discuss the motivation and benefits of using real-time synthesis for COCOON’s critically acclaimed game music, explaining the structure and operation of the instruments, how they are set up in FMOD Studio, and how they react to input from the game, focusing on a few experimentally developed control methods that might prove useful for any game audio developer.
Session Takeaway
- Learn how a soundtrack for a 5 hour game can be generated by 5 MB of plugins.
- Learn simple and effective methods for controlling synthesizer plugins.
- See an example of how a synthesizer design can be prototyped in Bitwig Studio.
- Gain insight in how a Bitwig Grid prototype is implemented as an FMOD plugin.
- Learn how the internal state of audio plugins can be debugged on Windows.
Pietro De Grandi Strelka Games4:00pm - 4:30pmRoom 6Indie BootCamp FREEThe Developer’s Wishlist: How Publishers Can Win Top Talent
Thursday 11th July4:00pm - 4:30pmRoom 6It's common knowledge in the gaming world that publishers are talented in guiding and coaching developers on the art of the pitch and how to sell their vision. And they're great at it, which makes perfect sense. But here's a thought, why don't we see developers doing the same for publishers? Imagine the possibilities if we flipped the script. Good publishers, the ones we all want to work with, are out there hunting for top-notch developers. So, why not give them a nudge in the right direction on how to be even more attractive to talents that align with their goals? This talk isn't just about asking questions; it's about starting a conversation on how we can all do better by understanding each other's needs. After all, in the rush to sign the next big game, maybe what we need is a little more insight into what makes a truly great partnership tick.
Session Takeaway
- What kind of information does a developer look for when doing research for a possible publisher to contact?
- When starting a conversation between a developer and a publisher, what could seem obvious to publishers that is not to developers?
- Opening doors to conversations that spark great partnerships.
Bobby Thandi XR Games4:30pm - 5:00pmRoom 6Indie BootCamp FREEHow To Create A Games Studio In 10 Easy Steps (With Some Hard Lessons Along The Way)
Thursday 11th July4:30pm - 5:00pmRoom 6Attendees will learn about his journey into game development; from selling Commodore Amiga games in the school playground to becoming the driving force behind one of the UK's fastest-growing VR games studios.
This talk uncovers the key lessons and insights from Bobby's entrepreneurial journey so far, including working from age 8 on his father's market stall - which not only instilled a strong work ethic, but also taught him the importance of communication - engaging with your audience, grit, determination and entrepreneurship.
Bobby Thandi's journey from working on his father's market stall to leading a successful VR games studio and working on multiple AAA titles with big studios epitomises the power of embracing one's past, combining work and passion, seizing opportunities, and persevering through adversities.
Session Takeaway
Attendees will gain a thorough understanding of what is required to succeed when setting up an indie studio in 2024:
- Learn how to identify a unique and compelling vision
- How to assemble the right team
- What to look for in investors
- How to scale for success
5:00pm
Jonathan Smith Travellers Tales GamesHannah Flynn Failbetter Games5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 1Develop: Endgame
Thursday 11th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 1Along with the "Indie Showcase" prize-giving, Hannah Flynn and Jonathan Smith are your hosts for a final-session celebration full of silly games. As the cherry on the cake of the whole week, one attendee will receive their pass to next year's Develop:Brighton on the house! Joining in is optional. Cheering is compulsory.
Everyone welcome!Andrew Riley Rocksteady StudiosAgatha Molska Rocksteady StudiosLeo Magrin Rocksteady Studios5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 4Task Force SFX: Exploring the Sound of Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League
Thursday 11th July5:00pm - 5:45pmRoom 4Andrew Riley (Audio Director) and the audio team behind Rocksteady's SS:KTJL will take you on a reflective journey through the intricate sonic design behind the game. Starting from the key audio pillars and team ethos, we will explode selected key areas of the sound through to release. All the time looking at the creative and technical challenges we faced while we approached these areas, how we overcame them and how the challenges of reality alongside the initial intent of the pillars fundamentally shaped the realisation of the project.
Session Takeaway
- Learn about the value of setting out clear pillars at the start of of a project and how to work with them through the life of a project
- Be inspired and motivated by the Rocksteady audio team explaining their approach to sound design and mixing
- Learn about some key areas of sound design and how to record EVERYTHING on a AAA project
Lydia Andrew EA DICERichard Lapington Remedy EntertainmentBjørn Jacobsen Mainframe Industries / Cujo SoundAdele Cutting (Audio Track Moderator) SoundcutsGrace Docksey JagexRob Bridgett PlayStationJon Vincent Xbox Game Studios : RareAdele Cutting (Audio Track Co-Host) Soundcuts5:45pm - 6:30pmRoom 4Open Mic 2024
Thursday 11th July5:45pm - 6:30pmRoom 4In keeping with Develop Conference tradition, our panel of game audio experts limber up for an inclusive town hall style discussion with conference delegates about the current state-of-the-art of music, sound and dialogue for games and what the future holds for game audio business, technology and creativity.
Moderated by Soundcut's Adele Cutting.
Thursday After Hours Events
17.00: Develop:Endgame - the final session on Thursday 11 July in Room 1 everyone welcome!
19.00: The post-conference party in support of SpecialEffect and OneSpecialDay at Oh So Social Bar on the seafront. Book your tickets HERE
