Edinburgh Interactive Festival 2008
Posted on July 8th, 2008 at 11:17am by EripmaVMonday 7th July/...The Edinburgh Interactive Festival today announced an exciting new session that will celebrate the UK development industry’s success and standing in the global marketplace. To be hosted by Rod Cousens, CEO, Codemasters, the session will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Monday 11th August 2008 as a part of the three-day festival.
Video game titles developed by UK-based studios generated in excess of £230m at UK retail in 2007 (Source: Develop 100) and in the session entitled “Driving Success for UK Studios”, Cousens will discuss the success, status and future opportunities for UK developers.
In addition to the wider picture Cousens will detail the progress made by Codemasters Studios in recent years, which has led to a clutch of awards including winning ‘UK Development Team’ in the MCV Industry Excellence Awards 2008 and being named ‘UK Developer of the Year’ at the 25th Golden Joystick Awards.
Employing over 350 across three UK locations, Codemasters’ internal development division is a major force in the development industry with a prestigious heritage that includes Colin McRae: DiRT and Race Driver: GRID series. Cousens will also talk about the studio’s proprietary development technology, the EGO™ Engine, which was recognised as “Best Technology” in the awards hosted by TIGA, the Independent Game Developers Association.
Cousens said “We were delighted to be invited to speak at this year’s Edinburgh Interactive Festival and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and vision for the UK development industry in the session. Over its six year history, Edinburgh Interactive has become one of the most important and now longest running festivals of the creative culture, development and progression of the games industry in the UK.”
About Edinburgh Interactive Festival 2008
Now celebrating its sixth year, the Edinburgh Interactive Festival is powered up to showcase the continued popularity, growth and influence of video games. And this year, the Interactive Festival is more synchronised with the world famous Edinburgh Festival than ever, appealing to the press, public and professionals from film, television and interactive media backgrounds alike, offering a bigger event for delegates, more consumer focusing – an overall spectacle for all.
New to Interactive Festival 2008 will be Features, Exhibition and Recruitment areas specifically tailored to cater for the public - allowing them access to the latest games and job opportunities in games.
As ever, the three-day Interactive Festival wouldn’t be complete without the cornerstones of conferences, keynotes, panel sessions, debates, games screenings and even more people than ever jostling to get through the doors.
Edinburgh Interactive Festival 2008
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
150 Morrison Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EE
UK
Sunday 10th August
Game Screenings
Dare ProtoPlay
Public games area and retail site
Monday 11th August
EIF Conference
Game Screenings
Dare ProtoPlay
Public games area and retail site
Conference Networking event
Tuesday 12th August
EIF Conference
Game Screenings
Dare ProtoPlay
Public games area and retail site
Digital Interactive Symposium
Edinburgh Interactive Festival will also play host to the Digital Interactive Symposium, the games event aimed at academics and games industry professionals. It takes place on the afternoon of Tuesday 12th August.
Registration is open now at www.edinburghinteractivefestival.com
There is also a Facebook Group in 2008 at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12251081247
Edinburgh Interactive Festival 2008 registration details:
Register before Tuesday 1st July 2008 - £120 (ex VAT)
Register on or after Tuesday 1st July 2008 - £149 (ex VAT)
Scottish based developers and companies - £99 (ex VAT)
Students - £75 (ex VAT)
Edinburgh Interactive Festival has also forged a number of key relationships with partners and sponsors that will be announced shortly.