State of Independence
One-day conference on developer self-publishing to be held in April at York Racecourse.
12th February 2010: UK networks Codeworks GameHorizon and Game Republic in partnership with Screen Yorkshire, have today announced a unique one-day conference - State of Independence - focusing on developer self-publishing, to take place on Thursday 8th April 2010 at York Racecourse, York UK. Speakers already confirmed include Charles Cecil (Revolution), Paul Farley (Tag Games), Patrick O’Lunaigh, (nDreams) and Ed Vaizey, MP (Shadow Minister for Culture) – with more big names to follow.
There has been a resurgence of the independent video games developer over the last two years with developers looking to self-publish via digital distribution routes to break from the traditional console value chain to gain more control of their IP and finances. Indies are asking how can they fund their own content, how to promote and market new content effectively on a small budget, and what are the best business models to maximise revenue.
Key areas to be covered at State of Independence will be:
• Different routes to market and new business models
• Funding your game – including access to investors
• Learning from current success stories
• Marketing your own games – including PR, viral marketing and customer service
• Networking with other games industry professionals
As well as giving developers a greater understanding of the brave new world of digital self-publishing and advice on how to succeed, State of Independence will be an ideal opportunity to network with other independents, investors and buyers, as well as unwind at the industry party.
Date: Thurs 8th April 2010
Location: York, Race course Gymcrack Suite (Ebor stand)
Start of Conference: 09.30am Thursday 8 April 2010
Finish of Conference: 5.30pm Thursday 8 April 2010
After Party: 6.30 – until late
Carri Cunliffe, head of sector development at Codeworks GameHorizon says: “The games industry landscape is rapidly changing and indies are now able to take advantage of new platforms and routes to market that mean they can take more creative and financial control.”
Jamie Sefton, Game Republic sector manager at Screen Yorkshire says: “State of Independence is the perfect one-stop-shop for everything indie developers need to know about new routes to market and digital self-publishing.”
For more information about the conference and to book places, visit http://www.state-of-independence.net/ A Super Early Bird discount starting at £75 is available until 16 March 2010, with bigger discounts available to GameHorizon and Game Republic members.
Notes to editor
Media Enquiries:
Carri Cunliffe
Head of sector development at Codeworks GameHorizon
e. carri.cunliffe@gamehorizon.net
t. +44 (0) 191 556 1116
Jamie Sefton
Game Republic sector manager, Screen Yorkshire
e. jamie@screenyorkshire.co.uk
t. +44 (0) 113 236 8239
The State of Independence conference is delivered by GameHorizon and Game Republic - UK-based videogames networks that work with the games industry in the North East and Yorkshire & Humber to promote and develop the sector and facilitate collaboration. The networks have international links and the members are globally successful games companies who are operating in the international hyper competitive games market, including Eutechnyx, Team17 and Revolution.
GameHorizon
Business network for the North East games industry who support the industry through networking, promotion and business development. GameHorizon also holds the only European games conference in Europe for games executives: GameHorizon conference. All activities are part funded by ONE NE.
The Connect & GameHorizon project is part financed by the European Union’s ERDF Competitiveness programme 2007 – 2013, securing £984,826 of ERDF investment through regional development agency ONE North East from 1st April until the 1st March 2011”
Game Republic & Screen Yorkshire
Game Republic, the trade association for the games sector in Yorkshire and Humber, promotes and provides support to the industry through a range of initiatives, investing in games projects, creating better links with academia, developing relationships with international publishers and championing collaboration through hosting regular networking events. In 2007 Game Republic was fully integrated into Screen Yorkshire enabling the games sector in the region to access its strategic investment funds. www.gamerepublic.org