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Game Republic has doubled its membership with over 50 Yorkshire and northern games companies, higher education institutions and businesses joining the network in the last twelve months.

Red Kite Games and the Leeds College of Art became the 50th and 51st members of Game Republic this week, joining a network that already includes Sumo Digital, Revolution Software, Four Door Lemon and Just Add Water Ltd, along with Educational Partners including Leeds Metropolitan University, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Huddersfield, and affiliates Garthwest, 3volution Solicitors and MFL Insurance.

“Red Kite Games is extremely excited to become the latest games company to join Game Republic,” said Managing Director Simon Iwaniszak. “We have already benefited from the fantastic exposure facilitated by the network, which plays an essential role in supporting the games industry.”

Game Republic was established in 2003 by Yorkshire games companies to encourage business and inward investment in the region. Game Republic continues as a private company with the core mission statement, “more business for Game Republic members.”

“Sumo has always been proud to be a part of Game Republic,” said Managing Director of Sumo Digital, Carl Cavers. “It’s very beneficial for games development in the north to have a local body representing our community, without which I’m sure we’d never have got together or achieved the magnificent results we have over the last few years.”

In the past year, as part of Game Republic’s events in the region, the network has hosted Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Microsoft, OnLive, Unity and GOG.com. Game Republic members also receive business support, links with other regional and national organisations such as UKTI, NESTA and TIGA, and member discounts for major games conferences and events including Game Horizon and Develop. Future events will include the Game Republic Student Showcase on May 29th at the University of Bradford – which gives games companies the opportunity to see and judge the latest creative talent – as well as more networking meetings with major platform holders and publishers.

“Working with Game Republic in the region has been really beneficial for us,” said Kish Hirani, Head of Developer Services at SCEE R&D. “The events have given us the opportunity to speak to many Yorkshire games companies and universities at once, meet new potential partners and listen to feedback that improves our developer relations and technology initiatives.”

“Yorkshire has always had a particularly strong games development community,” added Managing Director of Game Republic, Jamie Sefton, “but now with the rapid growth of the indie sector and the increasing talent from our universities and colleges, we’re seeing this region firmly establishing itself as one of the most innovative and exciting places in the global games industry.”

Game Republic member Mr Qwak (aka Sheffield developer Jamie Woodhouse) is currently enjoying iPhone/iPad chart success with his new game Retro Racing. Packing in gorgeous old-school 2D graphics – betraying Jamie’s classic gaming developer DNA of working on Amiga titles for Team17 and Psygnosis – Retro Racing is an addictive top-down racing game with smooth controls and a two-player option on the iPad. For more info – hit the website.

Bradford games developer and Game Republic member Four Door Lemon has just revealed its latest project – an amazing augmented reality football game for the new PlayStation Vita portable gaming console, which launches on 22nd February in the UK. Table Football is a 3D virtual football game that purchasers of the new PlayStation Vita will be available to download for free from the PlayStation Network. The game uses the Vita’s six AR cards that come with the system to create a 3D virtual football pitch, where you can flick players around for a 21st Century version of Subbuteo!
Four Door Lemon has also enjoyed recent success with other games such as Quiz, Quiz, Quiz on iPhone.
See a video and more info on Table Football here