GamesWest looks to boost Scots gaming talent

PROSPECTIVE games developers will have the chance to learn from industry stalwarts tomorrow at an event designed to inspire and encourage a new generation of Scottish talent.

Donnie Kerrigan, managing director of Chunk Games, will be among GamesWest speakers. Picture: Contributed

GamesWest aims to offer practical advice to students on breaking into the sector, with a day-long programme comprising workshops, discussion panels and speeches.

The inaugural event, staged by the University of the West of Scotland, West College Scotland and the International Game Developers Association Scotland, features several well-known figures among the line-up.

They include Gary Carr, creative director at Lionhead Studios and a veteran of critically-acclaimed series such as Fable and Theme Park, and Dr Jo Twist, the CEO of Ukie and a former commissioning editor for education at Channel 4.

Other speakers include senior figures at prominent Scottish studios, such as Pete Shea, creative director of Firebrand Games and Donnie Kerrigan, managing director of Chunk Games.

Also present will be alumni of Scotland’s games education courses, such as Patrick Connor, a University of Abertay Dundee graduate who worked at Lionhead before going on to become a senior engineer at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s research and development division.

Along with sessions devoted to entering the industry, students will also be offered practical advice on pursuing a career in academia and games journalism. Organisers of the event also promise workshops to “demystify” the recruitment process, with tips on how to improve CVs and secure internships.

GamesWest will take place from 9.30am to 5pm at the University of the West of Scotland’s Paisley campus. For more information, visit the event’s website, gameswest.net