After a sell-out event last year, the Ukie Student Conference returns to Staffordshire University on Wednesday 25 October 2023!
Join Ukie, Flix Interactive and Epic Games in the Catalyst Building for a fun, free and enriching day of talks and networking with the UK video games industry.
View the PDF version of the programme here, otherwise read on for the text-only version.
TALKS
Catalyst Gallery
All talks will also be livestreamed on Twitch.
10:00-10:45 | Welcome
Chris Headleand, Staffordshire University
Siân Mayhall-Purvis, Ukie
Keynote: Your Unreal Future
James Butcher, Epic Games
Discover how the Epic Games ecosystem of tools can prepare you for your future in video games and beyond.
10:45-11:30 | Planning a Punchy Pitch
Deborah Farley, Tranzfuser
Tranzfuser have guided hundreds of graduate teams through pitching their games for funding and support. This talk will highlight top tips for teams preparing to pitch a game idea that will grab the listener’s attention and stand out from the crowd.
11:30-12:15 | Starting a Community, From Scratch!
Ella Hagi, YRS TRULY
Creative marketing agency YRS TRULY will show you how to hone in on your messaging, find the best platforms for your game, and seek creator support from the right people.
12:15-13:00 | How to Nail Your First Games Job Interview
Kim Parker Adcock, One Player Mission
Join One Player Mission, the experts in video games industry recruitment, to learn how to prepare for and impress in interviews.
14:00-14:45 | Embracing Failure as the Prerequisite to Success
Rich Harper, Rare
Exploring the inevitable messy journey from ignorance to competence, this session offers a fresh perspective on your own abilities – one that is more forgiving, realistic, and better positioned for success.
14:45-15:45 | Placements & Employability Panel
Join a selection of recruitment reps from our exhibitors for a panel discussion on getting your first job in video games, chaired by Davin Ward, Staffordshire University.
15:45-16:00 | 20 Years of Games at Staffordshire University
Chris Headleand, Staffordshire University
Discover how Staffordshire University will be celebrating this landmark anniversary.
ROUNDTABLES
Smaller sessions with 2-3 industry professionals, answering your questions on a particular discipline. Capacity is limited and allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
Creativity Zone (3rd floor)
10:30-11:30 | Game Art
Arianna Staibano, Flix Interactive
David ‘Ed’ Edwards, Vicon
Rich Harper, Rare
11:30-12:30 | Game Art Specialisms
3D, Environment, Lighting and more
Alex Mehroke, TT Games
Elliott McSherry, Ballistic Moon
Matt Cane, Flix Interactive
13:00-14:00 | Game Design
Alessandra Garber, Flix Interactive
Ruggero Riccobene, TT Games
Teaching Suite (2nd floor)
13:15-14:15 | The Business of Games
Running your own studio, marketing games and project management
Deborah Farley, Tranzfuser
Ella Hagi, YRS TRULY
Jason Cross, Flix Interactive
EXHIBITOR AREA
Catalyst Hall
Career Connect
Exient
Flix Interactive
Haia
Lucid Games
Playground Games
Rare
Realtime
Tranzfuser
TT Games
HAIA CHALLENGE
Teaching Suite (2nd floor)
11:00-12:00 | Unleashing Esports Excellence: The Haia Challenge & Beyond
Tom Burke, Haia
Tom will introduce an exciting competition, offering students the unique opportunity to lead event production on Haia Streams, managing the Esports Wales Invitational. This is your chance to learn from industry experts and be part of an event that's changing the game in esports.
PORTFOLIO & CV REVIEWS
Catalyst Hall
If you’ve pre-booked a portfolio or CV review, please make your way to the entrance end of Catalyst Hall at least 5 minutes before your appointment.
NETWORKING
Catalyst Hall
Join us in the Catalyst Hall for drinks, tabletop games, and networking with our speakers and exhibitors for the final hour of the Conference, 16:00-17:00.
It's free to attend, so register now via Eventbrite.
If you have any questions, please contact Siân at sian@ukie.org.uk.