Industry leaders and new talents converged in Liverpool for Develop:North.
- Discussions highlighted growth and challenges in Liverpool’s £220m gaming sector.
- Key sessions explored business strategies and skill development.
- Emphasis on collaboration and government support for the Northern gaming industry.
- Calls for increased visibility and recognition of regional gaming achievements.
In a significant move for the gaming industry, Develop:North hosted its first event in Liverpool, bringing together leaders and emerging talent from across the North. The one-day summit aimed to provide industry insights and explore opportunities for growth.
The event took place at The Spine in Liverpool’s Paddington Village on 14 November. It marked a shift from its previous location in Brighton, underscoring the growing significance of the Northern gaming landscape. Liverpool City Council’s Cllr Nick Small expressed pride in hosting the event, highlighting the city’s role as a home to major gaming players like PlayStation and Tencent.
Several sessions led by Liverpool experts touched on essential themes such as building a positive culture in game development. A panel discussion titled ‘Thrive in ‘35’ featured industry leaders who addressed the sector’s lack of stability and efforts to capitalise on projected global market growth beyond £187bn post-2024.
Educational involvement was a focal point during the discussions, with calls for more creative ways to nurture talent outside traditional university settings. Clemens Wangerin emphasized the importance of entrepreneurial thinking in bringing fresh ideas to the industry.
Caroline White and Phil Owen underscored the significance of collaboration among North’s digital and creative sectors. Owen highlighted the need for increased investment in Liverpool’s gaming industry, pointing out the unfortunate necessity for many leaders to seek funding outside the region.
Tom Owens remarked on the vital role of representation and visibility in attracting young talent, while Clemens Wangerin mentioned existing government support like R&D tax credits, noting the room for enhancement.
Wangerin also noted the importance of a combined authority with devolved power in fostering stronger industry clusters. A sentiment echoed by other leaders who stressed the need for continuous advocacy for the sector to attract attention from national government bodies.
The discussions called for a more significant focus on publicising Liverpool’s gaming developments, pointing to recent successes like The Queen’s Gambit Chess and advancements in gaming technology that impact other sectors such as healthcare.
Overall, Develop:North 2024 aimed to provide the foundation for forging stronger connections within the North West gaming sector, supported by Liverpool City Council’s Business Support Service and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Develop:North 2024 has set the stage for future growth and collaboration in Liverpool’s gaming industry.
