Highland Games

For Immediate Release:

Edinburgh, Scotland, July 21st. ScottishGames .Biz, a new website providing news, information, editorial and resources for the videogames industry in Scotland was launched today, with a who's who of game developers lining up to praise it.

ScottishGames.Biz will provide a wide range of information relevant to the Scottish games industry. The latest news and events will be joined by company profiles, contact details, interviews, editorial, opinion and analysis, providing a comprehensive resource for anyone working in, or interested in learning more about the games industry in Scotland.

ScottishGames.Biz is being run as a group blog, which allows multiple authors to contribute to the site and encourages everybody involved in the Scottish games industry to get involved.

The site creates a new focal point for the companies, individuals, organisations and universities, which are involved in the games industry across Scotland.

"Contrary to popular opinion, the games industry in Scotland isn't dead," says Brian Baglow, the creator of the site. "It's just widely dispersed and a little bit shy. The blog builds on the strong sense of community within the Scottish games companies and gives everyone a place to post and read the latest news, catch up with colleagues and tell the world what's going on."

Despite a number of casualties and closures within the industry in the recent past, the games industry in Scotland continues to grow and evolve. The country has a large number of developers from young start-up studios, through to major international companies such as Rockstar North & Real Time Worlds, working on high profile titles for Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony and other leading publishers.

Scottish companies also cover an extremely broad range of games genres and technologies, from mobile phones, digital interactive TV (DiTV) and online/browser titles, through to casual games, serious games, massively multiplayer online games and many other new areas - all of which will be covered by ScottishGames.Biz.

And it's not all developers, Scotland is also home to a number of innovative companies working in other areas for the games sector, from recruitment, finance and management, through to PR, marketing and publishing.

Scotland also hosts two annual events unique in the gaming world - Dare To Be Digital and the Edinburgh Interactive Entertainment Festival.

"The intention is to cover everything relevant to games in Scotland," says Baglow. "We're already looking at podcasts, live updates and reportage from the various events taking place this year, as well as making sure every company gets a chance to contribute."

Gordon Ross, the CEO of Genuine Games and YooStar Ltd. was lavish with praise for the site. "ScottishGames.Biz is a shot in the arm for all of us trying to keep track of what's happening. It's handy for business development and just checking with peers for advice. We could have done with this site years ago!"

Paul Farley, the Managing Director of newly formed mobile games studio TAG Games, agrees, "SG.biz is a fantastic asset to the Scottish games industry. It's unique blend of the latest games industry news from Scotland, combined with sharp editorial comment provides an entertaining and informing read."

Colin Anderson, the Managing Director of Denki, the digital toy company, added "I've been reading ScottishGames.biz for the last few weeks while it was being piloted and I'm hooked. It's already taken pride of place as the default page when my browser loads up each morning. I'm looking forward to seeing how the site develops and wish Brian every success with it."

Colin MacDonald, Real Time World's Studio Manager, added, "Although the Scottish games industry has had a few casualties recently, the number of people working in it continues to go up and up. The advent of ScottishGames.biz provides all those new folk with a dedicated website to supply their regular fix of goings on is just yet more proof that things are still on the up, and despite a relative lack of nudity, it is a welcome addition to my bookmarks"

"For a man with questionable dress sense, Brian understands the Scottish Games Industry implicitly," says Lol Scragg, the Development Director of Cohort Studios. "The launch of ScottishGames.biz shows Brian's commitment to those of us north of the border and will go a long way in promoting the creative talents available."

Anyone involved in the games industry in Scotland who would like to get involved with the blog should e-mail brian@indoctrimat.com, or pop by leave a nice comment on www.ScottishGames.Biz .

ENDS

Contact:

Brian Baglow

Indoctrimat Ltd.

M: +44 (0) 7747 792247

E: brian@indoctrimat.com