Hull creates new platform to make its mark in huge global gaming and entertainment industry

The world of digital gaming and entertainment is the focus of a major one-day event at the KC Stadium in Hull on Sunday, March 27.

Platform Expos, which is expecting to draw large crowds, has been created to kick start the high-growth business sector in the region.

Gaming experts, businesses, musicians, artists and educational establishments are coming together to stage the event, which is being organised through World Trade Centre Hull & Humber.

It has attracted interest from leading global players including Microsoft, which will give away its new smartphones as prizes for Platform’s 24-hour game creation competition. Microsoft’s new Kinect system, soon to be available for PC as well as X-Box, will also be demonstrated.

Platform is themed around entertainment, play, culture, business, education, showcase and lifestyle, all of which contribute to the sector that is worth more than $70billion and set to double over the next five-to-10 years.

Lindsay West, managing director of Garthwest Creative and a World Trade Centre partner, said: “Platform 2011 puts Hull on the digital gaming and entertainment calendar and proves that we are open and ready for action.

“Education, creativity and business – put the three together and you have jobs and prosperity. Platform is the only event by the people and for the people, and the only to give an all-encompassing demonstration of what this global industry is all about.

Gaming fans will be able to demonstrate their skills on six gaming pods being donated by KC, with an X-box being awarded for the top score. Budding developers and artists can enter the Platform Showcase to display their creations and ideas with prizes. The theme of the 24-hour game creation competition will be revealed on Saturday March 26 by experts at the University of Hull, resulting in an overnight race to come up with the best game.

Live avatars will parade the expo, dressed by niche local business, Gothfee, which creates bespoke costumes based on personal avatars and sells them as far afield as the USA.

Experts speaking at Platform, will inform those interested in a career in the industry about new courses, new methodology and new concepts, covering subjects as diverse as script writing, apps development, illustration and developments in 3D.

Platform has also been chosen for the much anticipated launch of the new game 'Anaksha : Dark Angel - Aiming High', the first of which was a global hit.

Entertainment from Home Sweet Home, a collection of some of Hull's finest electronic musicians and artists, will include the unveiling of new interactive techniques ensuring the audience will be fully immersed in the show. Also playing is local electro pop band She’s got Claws.

Platform also features live art from Mark Wigan, the man behind Hull’s unique Museum of Club Culture as well as cutting-edge photography from O-ten and Redshift.

“People can come along to Platform simply to have a lot of fun,” added Mr West, “But we are also saying that everything you need to start a business in this sector, including help and advice, is right here.”

www.plaformexpos.com


Tickets cost £10 and are available from www.platformexpos.com or from St Stephen’s shopping centre during a promotion of the event from Monday 21st February.

The Platforms

Play Platform
The Play Platform is designed to encourage participation in the most interactive way possible. KC is providing six gaming pods whereby poeple can pit their wits and skill against other attendees in the hope of winning an X-Box.  Wi-Fi is also set up so that people can bring along laptops, sit down and enjoy what they do best.

Showcase Platform
The Showcase Platform gives the chance for people to demonstrate their skills, imagination and creations. A section has been put aside for schools, colleges, universities and the general public to bring along the best of their contributions to the digital gaming and entertainment world and show them off. Registration is required from 14th February, 2011 to book space allocation.

Culture Platform
A thriving digital community relies on a thriving cultural community and Platform brings the two together. Composers, fashion designers, artists, graphic designers ... a cultural blend that is unique and vibrant.

Business Platform
A combination of, design, legal, finance, banking, language, insurance and PR to offer a complete range of services for new business.

Education Platform
The University of Hull is a major player in the organisation of Platform 2011. The 24 hour 'create a game' competition will be hosted at the University from 12 noon, Saturday 26th March, to 12 noon, Sunday 27th March. Also involved in Platform is Hull School of Art and Design.

Lifestyle Paatform
The Lifestyle Platform is created to bring lifestyle choices together under one roof for fun and fashion.

Entertainment Platform
Platform is delighted to announce that 'Anaksha : Dark Angel - Aiming High' will be unveiled at the event – the first Anaksha was a global hit.  Microsoft is supporting Platform by kindly donating its smartphones as prizes and by demonstrating the awesome Kinect system - soon to be available for PC as well as X-Box!

Speakers Platform
We have an amazing team for Platform 2011, with representation from the Digital Gaming and Entertainment industries, Education and the Business Community. Compere for the day is Gordon Loncaster, a presenter with 20 years of experience in UK radio broadcasting and live audience work, including with Top Of The Pops, Strictly Come Dancing, Big Brother and SMTV with Ant & Dec.

Speakers:

3D - 3 Dimensions: Past, Present and Future.
Presented by Dr. Jon Purdy
Department of Computer Science, University of Hull
Join Jon Purdy for a rollercoaster of a ride as he takes you from the initial dream of introducing a 3D world into games and cinema to the stratospheric aspirations of tomorrow.


"Anaksha: Dark Angel - Aiming High"
Presented by Arif Majothi, owner of Dark Raven Digital and Creator of Anaksha
A 13-year film and animation professional unveils his most ambitious, independent gaming project yet. Arif shares his experiences on how he took an idea from a script to a fully developed game.

From Apps to the Xbox
Presented by Rob Miles
Microsoft MVP
Mobile Game Development on the Windows Phone.
Having fun and getting rich! Kinect up your PC!
See how the incredible Kinect technology, currently only available for Xbox, is going to be coming to your PC ... soon!

Game Maker Made Easy.
Presented by Jake Habgood
Author of The Game Makers Apprentice
Get a crash course in learning how to develop games for iPhone, PSP and PC with leading industry expert, Jake Hapgood.

Ideas Stories & Writing for Games
Presented by Steve Ince
Steve Ince is an award-nominated writer-designer with 18 years of game development experience. He has played an important part in the success of a number of critically acclaimed games, including Beneath a Steel Sky, Broken Sword, In Cold Blood, The Witcher, Rhianna Ford and Alice in Wonderland.

• Other speakers include: Sam Pick from the Renewables Network who will share his experiences of setting up a new business; Marie Kell a solicitor at Andrew Jackson who will focus on Intellectual Property and its relevance to gaming.