More UK Games Expo news...

24/04/2016

UKGE for Game Designers

I have this idea for a game!

UK Games Expo is the perfect place to attend if you have a game idea and are just starting to think about making a game. Maybe you have a prototype and need to get it played. Perhaps you are looking for an artist to do the artwork? Maybe you need to talk to companies who actually print games and make components. Finally it is an ideal location to show finished and near finished games and get them in front of the game playing public. Here are some ways to make the best of the Expo if you are a game designer.

Just a sparkle in eye
So you are a complete novice but just think you have a game in you. Expo is a great place to research the world of games. Visit as many stands as you can and see all the prototypes, check out the retail stands to see what already exists. Attend the seminars, check out the Wyvern's lair. Talk to the guests.

See here for some ideas for debut designers

Trade Hall
UKGE boasts a 10,000 sqm trade hall filled with 225+ games companies including Publishers, retailers, manufacturers and distributors. Many will have demos of games within their stand which you can play, for free. So play some to get a feel for what is going on in game design.
Check out the LIst
See the map

Seminars
Over the three days we have a varied workshop and seminar schedule.
Hear about making games and the games world from the experts. There are seminars by Lewis Pulsipher the designer of the classic game Britannia, prolific designer of hundreds of games, Reiner Knizia and the man behind the Dice Tower, Tom Vasel. Still more by RPG writers and artists. Find out more

Wyverns Lair
The aim of the UKGE Wyvern’s Lair is to put the applicants together in the same room with
individuals who make, publish and distribute games. We do not guarantee that this will lead to
any games actually being made but out there somewhere might just be a hit game waiting to be
discovered.No less than 49 entries were submitted to the Wyvern's lair before we closed submission. These will be short listed and perhaps a dozen will be presented to the Wyvern's on the Saturday in the Arden Suite, Hilton Hotel. Come along and see the pitches and watch the Wyvern's deliberate.
Find out more

Playtest
Ever designed a board game and want to see how it plays? Interested in playing new board games before they are released and maybe getting your name in the credits? Everyone is welcome to take part in this event for board game designers and playtesters. Just bring along a playable prototype of a board game or card game that you are developing and receive comments from our playtesters.

Find out more

A success story
Last year Side Quest and Push It were a mere twinkle in the eyes of Steve Venezia and Leeson George (by twinkle we mean hundreds of hours of blood, sweat, and gaming fun). This year Push It and Side Quest will be for sale at UKGE 2016 (stand number C23) after exhibiting prototypes at UKGE 2015.
More details

So if you have that idea for a game - here is the chance to make it happen.

UKGE Organisers