CAKE 21

Games in the North

In recent years, the computer games industry has been changing. Once solely the preserve of big name companies, the growth of smaller, independent studios has been changing the shape of the market, and the North East has been at the forefront of this revolution. At this CAKE event, we will explore what it's like to study and work in games in the North, as well as ways in which games companies can collaborate with and add value to other creative and digital businesses.

At CAKE, we're delighted to be collaborating with Animex, the International Festival of Animation and Computer Games. Animex was founded by Teesside University in 2000 with a view to creating a world-class inclusive festival that would draw some of the games and animation industries' brightest lights and future stars together to share their knowledge with the next generation.

Following the CAKE event, there will also be the option to engage with Expo Tees, Teesside University's annual exhibition of outstanding work from final year students and an opportunity to recruit bright, new talent to your organisation. An exhibition of work from students in Animation, Visual Effects, Games and Comics will be taking place in The Curve on the same day as CAKE, between 13:00 and 17:00.

Speakers:

Kaye Elling, Head of Department for Games, Animation and VFX, Teesside University

Kaye is the Head of the Games, Animation and Visual Effects Department at Teesside University, where she currently teaches 2D art for games. Her background is in game development where she spent some 13 years working as a Character Artist and Art Manager for companies including Infogrames, Sony and Blitz Games Studios. She has created 3D graphics and led teams of artists and animators on titles including the Premier Manager series, the Bratz series and the Encleverment Experiment on XBLA among many more.

Her research is in the area of prejudice within in-game spaces on console, and the experiences of the non-archetypal gamer. Currently Kaye is studying for a PhD part-time. A proud Girl Geek, Kaye is passionately committed to raising awareness of game development as a viable creative career for everyone.

Craig Pearn, Talent Acquisition Manager, Ubisoft Reflections

Craig is the Talent Acquisition Manager for Ubisoft’s UK AAA studios responsible for all recruitment activity, current and emerging recruitment strategies and talent acquisition best practices. With over 10 years of experience recruiting as a consultant and also internally, Craig has recruited for many global organisations such as Microsoft, IBM and Accenture and during his career has developed an comprehensive understanding for local and national employability.

Max Pears, Level Designer

Max Pears is a professional level designer. Max studied at Teesside University and has been working in the industry for 5 years. He has worked on a range of titles from mobile to AR, to now the big triple A titles such as The Division and Cyberpunk.

Bianca Iancu, Animator, Coatsink

Bianca is currently on her fourth year working in the games industry, having moved back to the North-East a year ago to work for Sunderland-based developer Coatsink. She graduated from Teesside University with a degree in Computer Character Animation and currently enjoys putting it to use as an Animator on VR games, having also previously worked as a Games Artist. She can often be found taking part in regional game jams and attending related events in order to shake hands with new fellow developers.

Getting there

By car: If you’re coming by car from the A19 North and South, take the A66 East and follow the signs for Teesside University. Leave the A66 at the exit signed M’bro Centre East, mima and Teesside University. Due to Animex we're not able to reserve parking spaces in advance but there will be spaces available on a first come first served basis in Woodlands Car Park (TS1 3PH), number 15 on the campus map: https://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/docrepo/about/TU_Car%20Parking%20Map_2016.pdf

By train: The Curve is a 15 minute walk away from Middlesbrough Train Station. As you leave the Train Station, turn onto Albert Road and walk towards Middlesbrough Town Centre, continuing straight on through the university campus where The Curve is clearly signposted.

By bus: The Curve is a 10 minute walk from Middlesbrough Bus Station. When leaving the Bus Station, walk through the town centre down Linthorpe Road, and turn left onto Southfield Road where you'll see The Curve on your right.

Please visit the following site for further public transport information: http://www.connectteesvalley.com/

About CAKE:

CAKE (Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange) is Creative Fuse North East's monthly networking event, bringing together businesses, freelancers, academics, charities and creative practitioners from across the Creative, Digital and IT sectors. Each themed CAKE event has expert speakers delivering short presentations that explore opportunities and innovation challenges. The events generate debate, explorative discussion and stimulate new innovative ideas by looking at each event’s theme from a variety of different perspectives – in keeping with the event name, attendees enjoy a slice of delicious cake while they network.

Is this event for you?

Whatever your professional background, this event is designed to support this potential by inspiring new conversations and allowing introductions to take place that will enable collaboration.