Dare lifts lid on ProtoPlay conference line-up

Channel 4, the V&A and The National Theatre Scotland are among those set to speak at the newly detailed conference element of the Dare ProtoPlay event.

Taking place in August, Dare ProtoPlay centres around the final work of those that have entered the Dare to be Digital development contest, but also offers a range of sessions and other elements.

This year the conference, co-organised with BAFTA, focuses on the theme of convergence, and will strive to ‘look at where the games industry meets art, film and television’.

Among the highlights of the schedule will be a look at the first game from the National Theatre of Scotland, developed to support the recent Let the Right One In production, as well an analysis of the V&A’s first Game Design Residency.

Speakers for the conference include:

– Imre Jele, creator-in-chief, Bossa Studios
– Colin Macdonald, games commissioning editor, Channel 4
– Jody Smith, multiplatform commissioning editor, Channel 4
– Gina Fegan, founder of the D-Media Network
– Philippa Tomlin, creative director of Other, National Theatre of Scotland
– Tom deMajo from Other’s game developer, Quartic Llama
– Sophia George, V&A game designer in residence
– Kirk Ewing, cross-media entrepreneur and founder of VEEMEE and Zappar

“Dare ProtoPlay is an incredible event, and this year we’re adding an extra day because of the huge demand from thousands of members of the public to see the amazing games being created in the UK," said Elaine Russell, Dare to be Digital project manager.

“We’re delighted to welcome such prestigious cultural organisations as BAFTA, Channel 4, the National Theatre of Scotland and the V&A to talk about how games are converging with every area of art and culture – and offer such great potential to create completely new experiences for audiences.”

Dare ProtoPlay 2012 saw 10,000 visitors take in the 15 student Dare to be Digital games, where titles from new and established independent studios were also shown in the Dare Indie Fest showcase.

This year games development studios are once again invited to show their latest titles for free at the event. New and unrealised games will get the priority, but all titles are welcome for submission.

“Having the opportunity to meet your audience and get their immediate feedback is a really important part of the development process, for new and established companies," Elaine Russell added.

“We look forward to receiving lots of varied, exciting entries for this year’s Dare Indie Fest games showcase.”

The Dare ProtoPlay computer games festival is open to the public from Thursday August 8th to Sunday August 11th in Dundee’s Caird Hall and City Square. The event is sponsored by Creative Scotland, Dundee City Council and EventScotland.

Develop will be at the event, bringing you all the news from ProtoPlay and the conference.

Full details of the conference can be found at the event’s official website.