March Newsletter

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All the latest updates from the Hub, news from Bristol & SW developers, jobs, opportunities & events.

Bristol Games Hub is a non-profit space for games and play. We run this newsletter, host events, and also rent desk space at cost price with no strings attached so you can get on with creating amazing games. Contact nina at aurochdigital.com for more information.

To have your news items included in the next newsletter, please send them to jake at aurochdigital.com, the deadline for which is 10th April.

Next Games Hub Anti-Social: 30th March, 7:30pm

This month we’ve got:

James and Jamie from Keymailer – “5 Ways to Up Your Game in YouTube & Twitch”  

Alex Tutty from Sheridans Law FirmAn Introduction to legal issues in games and media, things to look out for and how to not get stung.

So join us then! We’re at 77 Stokes Croft on the 3rd Floor. The entrance is off Thomas Street, just up from the junction of Thomas St/Stokes Croft, above MEATLiquor.

Games Hub News

SW Freelancer/Company Dev Directory

If you’re looking for people to help on a project, or you are available for work – put your details in. Please only list info you’re happy to have in the public domain: http://bit.ly/bghdirectory

SW Game Dev Jobs Facebook page

Find roles and post new openings here…

Monthly Indie Spotlight

Opposable Group

The history of Opposable Games stretches all the way back to the origins of the Bristol Games Hub – with our CEO Ben Trewhella setting up the Hub along with Tomas and Debbie Rawlings from Auroch Digital.

Before and during that time, Opposable Games was focused on creating brilliant and inventive games that often involved new and interesting technology.

When the early prototypes of the Oculus Rift VR headset began to circulate in 2014, Ben felt that VR and AR would grow into a multi-industry technology, so created sister company Opposable VR, under the Opposable Group, to work with technology companies explore how VR could be used in their business.

From there Opposable VR has continued to grow as one of the UK’s top VR companies, working for clients such as Cartoon Network, IBM, AT&T and many more. We’ve also released our own VR strategy game Salvaged to Steam Early Access!

Of course, VR World Congress has become an integral part of our DNA, evolving from a small regional meetup to one of the world’s biggest VR events.

With Opposable’s involvement in VR & AR research and community development becoming increasingly prominent, we’re now on the verge of setting up the Bristol VR Lab – set to launch in September of 2017!

Dev Scene News

The City of Games

The City of Games (Park Street) are pleased to be launching The City of Kings board game on Kickstarter on the 28th March at 4pm.

Having received high praise from Rahdo, Man vs Meeple and other industry personalities we are expecting a fantastic first day and hope you can join us for our virtual launch party.

Opposable Group

Get a 20% discount on VR World Congress 2017 tickets!

VR World Congress is just a few weeks away and we’d love to see as many Hub folks and followers head to the conference as possible! As such, we want to give you an opportunity to grab VRWC tickets for a sizeable discount. We’re offering 20% off the price of any ticket, from full three day passes to single day expo tickets, specifically for Hub associates.

To get your discount, head over to the VR World Congress website, see our huge speaker and expo lineups, and grab a 20% discounted ticket using the code BGH20.

It’s important to note, however, that there are a very limited number of these discount codes available, so you’d better grab your ticket soon if you’re hoping to attend!

Auroch Digital

We’ve been working hard on our Games Workshop adaptation Dark Future: Blood Red States, using the models from the original tabletop game to nail down some of the finer points of our RealTimeShift strategy and action gameplay. We’re also thrilled to be invited to London Book Fair to demonstrate our innovative interactive documentary VR project based on Jack the Ripper. The response was great, and we’ll have more to share on this soon!

Jobs & Opportunities

Aardman Animations – Artists and Animators

Aardman Animations are putting a call out for GAMES 3D modellers and texturers, and animators with excellent experience in Unity to get in touch, with a fantastic opportunity to work on a beautiful indie game. If you are interested please email george.rowe@aardman.com

VocTech Seed Funding

UFI are about to launch a call for their VocTech Seed Fund. They will be offering up to £50,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months, and are looking for innovative ideas for using tech for vocational learning. For more information and how to apply, click here.

Plus… South West Games Dev Jobs

There is a Facebook group for devs to post opportunities; South West Games Dev Jobs. It’s for companies seeking new people, freelancers and the like. It’s free to use but please don’t use it to ask for work. Currently it has opportunities from Aardman, Rendermedia and PQube.

Events Diary

The City of Kings Virtual Launch Party (28th March)

Click here for full details and to RSVP.

Anti-Social (30th March)

See above for full details.

Grrrl Gamers (4th April)

The Grrrl Gamers monthly meetup, for more info or to RSVP click here.

Bristol Unreal Developers Meetup – Setting yourself up for a good time (5th April)

This month, continuing the ‘production process’ theme, we’re going to be discussing how you can structure your project and use best practices to ensure that you give yourself and your project the best chance you can.

For more info or to RSVP, click here.

Quick Links

Thanks all!