Video game innovation shortlist announced

Top talent to compete at Dundee event

The shortlist for a new awards ceremony recognising the best new talent in the video games industry has been released.

The UK Games Fund Awards 2018 will take place in the Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee on November 14.

It will celebrate new talent in the UK games industry and the country’s independent developers.

The awards are being run by DCT Media Events, in association with 4J Studios, and judging took place at DC Thomson’s London office on Fleet Street.

Judges included Dr Jo Twist, chief executive of games trade association Ukie, Goldsmiths University lecturer Richard Leinfellner, Games Industry Biz writer Haydn Taylor, Andy Williams from DC Thomson Media, and Paddy Burns, co-founder of Dundee-based 4J Studios.

Dr Twist said: “The quality of entrants was fantastic to see and demonstrates how effective it can be to provide local support, UK Games Fund grants, advice and mentoring to foster innovation, business resilience and creativity.

“Some of these companies have already achieved great success and others are clearly on their way and I look forward to seeing what these talented teams do next.”

Kirsty Gibson, head of community at UK Games Talent and Finance CIC, said: “We believe it’s time that emerging UK creative entrepreneurial talent was recognised in this way. The quality across the board was exceptional and each of today’s nominees has a welldeserved place. This potential bodes very well for the future of UK independent games development.”

Tickets for the event are available at dctevents.com/event/ukgfa

A panel of expert judges draw up the shortlist for the UK Games Fund Awards 2018, recognising the creativity of today’s video game industry.