Final details of Explay Festival 2013 announced!
21 October
Explay Festival organisers announce that they are to host a new range of events and workshops to run alongside the established expo floor and speaker sessions this year, with a special showcase planned for participating companies to gain nationwide exposure. This expanded show will feature the inaugural Indie Game Olympics where delegates will have the chance to compete against each other, playing new games from some of the UK’s most established, and emerging, development studios.
A range of prizes and awards await those that can achieve a combined score for their efforts, making this live playtest an invaluable opportunity for studios wanting to get their games noticed. In classic button mashing style, games have been selected based on their arcade feel and addictive nature, ensuring that this year’s expo floor is buzzing from the moment the doors open on the 31st October! For more information on what games we have selected this year, click here
Other sessions that are made available free of charge to all delegates, will include game design workshops, technology demonstrations and hands on advice for those looking to recruit or find a job in the games industry. There will also be a series of rapid networking lunches located across the City that will allow delegates to quiz speakers and other industry figures whilst chowing down on some of Baths finest cuisine.
Explay director, Ella Romanos said “We are delighted to be announcing the very first Indie Game Olympics at Explay this year, an event that will bring a unique dimension to the festival by having our own visitors become participants in a two day gamathon! The games featured are a mix of new and established studios, which could see any one of them be singled out as the latest indie hit! Explay has always been about helping studios get exposure, and with our Indie Game Olympics we intend to do that whilst letting everyone have fun along the way!”
This years evening programme includes the opening reception located in the Roman Baths, with the official opening party on Thursday 31st October being held at the newly refurbished Porter hosting the highly entertaining Micro Rave, and the hugely popular Edge Magazine pub quiz on Friday 1st November drawing the festival to a close.
The full speaker schedule has now been released, and alongside Mike Bithell’s keynote, speakers will include Clive Lindop (The Creative Assembly), Alex Trowers (Boss Alien), Simon Barratt (Four Door Lemon), Alistair Aitcheson, Barry Meade (Fireproof Games) and Simon Roth, with the VIP Opening keynote by Andy Payne (Gambitious, AppyNation, Mastertronic).
Explay is proud to be supported by some of the largest names in the games industry, such as this years gold sponsor Epic Games, creators of the award-winning Unreal Engine known for its cutting-edge graphics technology, world-class toolset and scalability across PC, console and mobile platforms. Other leading technologies such as Unity, Marmalade and Applifier will also be in attendance providing the latest info on their platforms.
Also supporting Explay again are Creative England, who will be on hand to highlight the various funding and training programmes that they have on offer to help emerging games studios get themselves on the ladder to fame and fortune. There is also representation from Plymouth University and The University of Bath showcasing their excellent games programmes to industry that are looking to recruit new talent.
The festival, now in its fourth year, is to be held again at the Assembly Rooms in Bath on Thursday 31st October and Friday 1st November, with the evening VIP Opening Event on Wednesday 30th October.
