Platform 13

Member Article

Platform 13 raises Hull's gaming profile

Over 5000 people are expected to attend Hull’s 4th annual gaming and content expo, Platform 13.

The expo is set to feature Google, Sony Computer Entertainment and Microsoft amongst others, and will be running from 15th-16th November.

It takes place just days before the winner of UK City of Culture is announced of which Hull is a finalist.

Lindsay West, organiser of the Platform Initiative and joint managing director of Hull-based Garthwest Ltd, said that the expo was putting Hull on the map nationally and internationally: “The aim of Platform is to encourage and help young people to forge careers and start businesses in gaming and content creation.”

“We want to create a significant sector in the Humber and retain our talent. It is a massive and growing area of business that we can be part of if we put everything in place to take advantage of what it has to offer.”

Exhibitors include local indie games developers alongside some of the biggest names in gaming such as Marmalade Games Studio, which made Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies and Lara Croft the Guardian of Light; Square Enix responsible for the Final Fantasy Series; and Konami, one of the world’s largest gaming companies responsible for many of the best known games including Castlevania, Contra and Gradius.

For Fifa, Minecraft, Gears of War and Call of Duty fans, there will competitive tournaments, which can be signed up for at the event.

FyreUK, one of the world’s leading experts in Minecraft will be showcasing its latest work to be viewed on the big screen.

Speakers over the two-day expo cover varied subjects such as how to run a film studio, voice production in video games and introduction to programming.

Ade Oshineye from Google will talk about Google+ for games and apps, and his colleague Jake Archibald on making games for Google Chrome. Richard Adams from Microsoft will cover developing for the Xbox.

Carla Prada, head of Microsoft’s Soho Studios will discuss the running of a successful gaming studio and Pete Smith of Sony Computer Entertainment’s XDev Studios will outline how to successfully take a product to market.

For retro gaming enthusiasts, Replay Events is hosting an ’80s classroom at the Guildhall, which will be kitted out with BBC Micros, as well as a Retro Replay Lounge featuring retro consoles with knockout tournaments on classic titles.

Mr West added: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Hull City Council for helping to make sure the event happened this year and to our sponsors KC, World Trade Centre Hull & Humber and Garthwest.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .

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