Thursday 19th May saw the relaunch of IGDA Scotland at a jam-packed meeting in Dundee. Massive thanks to everyone who joined us!
83 developers, students, journalists, academics and other supporters filled the venue, representing more than 15 companies and 4 universities. Tag Games kindly sponsored the event, buying everyone a first drink.
The informal event brought developers together from across Scotland, and following a brief introduction featured ten speakers:
- Elaine Russell, Dare to be Digital, spoke about the annual games development competition and the accompanying showcase Dare Protoplay which will take place in Dundee this August.
- Paul Farley, Tag Games, spoke about the company’s work and growth, as well as the state of Scottish and mobile games development in general.
- Grant Clarke, University of Abertay Dundee, gave an overview of their existing games degree courses and continuing changes to them.
- Stuart Gray, Whisky Biscuit, spoke about the recent formation of the company an release of first iPad title Warpath.
- Darran Jamieson, TPLD, discussed games for training and learning as well as announcing his new social site for UK game developers www.ukgamedev.com.
- Jessica Sage and David Morrison, Play2Improve, updated everyone about the development of FPSTrainer, as well as announcing the Dundee Game Jam taking part on the 28th May.
- Brian McNicoll, Dynamo Games, spoke about the company’s origins and growth, and social games development.
- Phil Harris, Square Go, explained the support and assistance that they, as games journalists, can offer to Scottish developers.
- Jon Sykes, Glasgow Caledonian University, focussed on “iOpiates” and how they relate to the research work carried out within the Emotionlab.
- Daniel Livingstone, University of The West of Scotland, spoke about the university, its games degree courses and its graduates.
Thanks go out to all of our speakers and to the volunteers who worked to make the event a success.
The next event will take place in roughly a month, in Glasgow. There are a number of ways to stay in touch and find out more about it:
If you’d like to help organise future events or have any feedback about this one, please let us know through the mailing list. We’re also looking to form a steering committee to plan future events and help direct the chapter.
Thanks again to everyone who attended, I look forward to seeing you in Glasgow!