Spotlight on Games in the North

Game Republic headed to Salford on the 5th November for the Creative Tech Industry Day which was hosted by the University of Salford at MediaCity Campus. The day saw students across the creative disciplines come together to hear from industry experts on AI storytelling, digital storytelling through VFX animation, alumni insights: next steps, creative tech at the BBC as well as Game Republic’s “spotlight on games in the North”

“When it comes to your portfolio and entering a creative industry, you need to make sure you can show exactly what it is you have to offer, something to show and speak to people about” – James Easton, Huey Games Ltd.

Opportunities to make games in The North

The panel, hosted by Dr Jackie Mulligan (Director, Game Republic) put the spotlight on games in the north, opportunities in the region and valuable insights from industry professionals. Panelists included Nareice Wint (Studio Head/Senior Producer, Miami Avalon), James Easton (Senior Programmer, Huey Games Ltd) and Steven Golding (Senior Producer, Poncle). Panelists provided useful insights on topics such as getting into industry, making yourself stand out from other applicants, increasing employability and making important connections within the industry itself. Discussions provided so many important tips and insights.

“It’s more accessible to make any kind of game you want to make. Materials and knowledge are more accessible. If you have a unique idea get on social media and start promoting it and look at other platforms you can use” – Nareice Wint, Miami Avalon.

How to get started in a career in games

Panelists all agreed that networking and getting your name “out there” was a key contributor at helping to get a foot in the door in the early stages of your career. This alone however, needs to go alongside a strong portfolio that showcases and demonstrates your passion and skills, followed by a structured CV that lets employers identify key information helping you to stand out even more – and that approach is key for artists and programmers. Using social media to share your work and engage with contacts was critical as was demonstrating work outside studies too – building games or getting involved in games activities.

The panelists raised the importance of not discounting transferable skills gained in other areas, highlighting these can be applied elsewhere across the industry. Lastly, it was agreed that being honest in your failures was something that should be considered, if you can improve then do so, show eagerness to adapt skills/methods and most importantly show a willingness to continuously learn and adapt.

Opportunities with Game Republic

At the end of the session, Jackie encouraged students to join the Game Republic Student Club and to take up opportunities to attend online and IRL events and to apply for roles to support events and the Student Club in order to better understand the ecosystem and games communities.

Anyone interested in joining the Game Republic Student Club – visit https://discord.gg/a3N6zJXWEU – please note to be eligible to join the Club, students need to attend an educational partner institution – see the list below.

To find out about joining Game Republic contact gamerepublic.net/join-us and if you are developing or supporting the games industry in The North, join the Great Northern Games Discord

If you like this post, please help us by sharing it!