The event forms part of the 2014/15 programme of events being run by Cambridge Enterprise & Technology Club (CETC), a long established and highly regarded networking forum for business people, investor, academics, technologists and service providers. Chris was voted onto the CETC committee in 2013, and has played an active role ever since.
The event on 23 October 2014 will focus on computer or video gaming tracing the story from early examples of arcade games to today’s huge industry estimated to be worth $75bn in 2014 (Newzoo).
Cambridge has been at the very heart of the industry over this period, home to a cluster of companies including Jagex, Frontier Developments, Ninja Theory and many more. According to the Centre for Computing History, Cambridge is thought to have 18% of the UK games market and employs up to 4,000 people.
The CETC event will feature three high profile speakers. Steve Harris (a senior lecturer on the computer gaming technology course at Anglia Ruskin University), Dominic SD Chapman (founder of Twin Pixel Limited) and Riaan Hodgson (COO of Jagex). Each will provide a different perspective on the gaming industry in Cambridge – the journey it has been on to date, and where it is going from here.
Chris says: “I am delighted to have been able to help organise what should be a fantastic event for the CETC. As usual, we have been able to attract speakers of the highest calibre, who will be able to provide a fascinating insight into all aspects of the Cambridge gaming industry – established and emerging talents.”
The Birketts’ technology team boasts genuine expertise in working with gaming companies, providing a wide range of services including corporate/commercial work and advice on intellectual property rights, assisting clients on their journey from formation, through funding rounds, commercial development and on to exit. The team is currently working on a number of initiatives to help reach out and assist potential new entrants to the gaming industry across East Anglia, including participation and sponsorship of a soon-to-be-launched Games Hub and mentoring scheme to be based in Essex.
Should you have any queries on Birketts’ technology team and the services provided, please feel free to contact Chris Sleep at chris-sleep@birketts.co.uk or 01223 326596.
To register to attend CETC’s ‘Gaming’ event, please visit www.cetc.info/23rd-oct-2014-gaming/