Gaming
Speakers, assemble! Industry pioneers confirmed as speakers in the first ever Scottish Games Week
Twenty-three industry-leading speakers have been confirmed for the first ever Scottish Games Week, taking place across Scotland between 24 and 28 October – with more to come.
Speakers range from designers, developers and audio engineers, to investors, marketers, and business leaders. Legendary game director, producer and designer David Mullich (Heroes of Might and Magic III, Duck Hunt) and marketing maven Patty Toledo (4Players), will cover a wide variety of disciplines and specialities across the games, tech and creative sectors at three events: More Than Games, the Education Symposium, and the two-day SGW Industry Conference.
David Mullich, Director of the critically acclaimed Heroes of Might and Magic III said: “I’m thrilled to be participating in the first-ever Scottish Games Week and celebrating Scotland’s thriving game industry. It’s an honour to be in a gathering of such an innovative and accomplished game development community.”
Patty Toledo, Marketing Director at 4Players said: “Scotland’s games ecosystem is growing and evolving rapidly. Now is such a great time to get involved and really bring to light the importance games have to not only the creative industries but the tech industries as well.”
More Than Games (24 October) – Glasgow
More Than Games is a first-of-its-kind event, highlighting the transformative potential of the games ecosystem to the wider digital and creative industries. Attendees of More Than Games will be treated to presentations, provocation and panels covering topics from the convergence between games and screen, health, education, inclusion, transmedia and exploring how Scotland can harness the true power of creative media (spoiler: it’s by integrating games) – with speakers including:
- Jamie Bankhead (CEO at Konglomorate Games)
- Mick Cooke (Composer at MakeFire Music)
- HaZ Dulull (Producer/Director at HaZimation)
- John Gordon (CEO at Incentive Games)
- Chris Hainsworth (CFO at The Game CFO)
- Elena Höge (Founder of Yaldi Games)
- Houston Howard (Chief Storyteller at One 3 Creative)
- Neil McPhillips (Head of Games at Blazing Griffin)
- John Thornewill (Co-Founder and CEO at Zappaty)
Education Symposium (25 October) – Edinburgh
The Education Symposium brings together educators, institutions, stakeholders and students across Scotland for a practical hands-on day of workshops, and sessions created to debate, challenge and change the teaching of games skills in Scotland.
The symposium will focus on the ways in which games-related skills are taught and how to ensure Scotland has the talent pipeline it needs for the rapidly evolving global games ecosystem. Those confirmed to participate in the Education Symposium include:
- Brian Baglow (Founder and director of the Scottish Games Network, Lecturer at Edinburgh University and Editor in Chief of PocketGamer.biz)
- Julie Drybrough – chair (Founder and CEO of fuchsia blue)
- Dr Amanda Ford (Lecturer in Computing at West College Scotland)
- William Huber (Head of Centre for Excellence in Game Education at Abertay University)
SGW Industry Conference (27 – 28 October) – Dundee
The SGW Industry Conference is a two-day long event held in Dundee, the beating heart of Scotland’s games community. The conference features founders, pioneers, leaders and innovators from around the world, offering expertise and insight and from the forefront of the global games market.
The key trends from the forefront of games, as well as personal reflection and deep technical understanding are on offer from speakers which range from veteran global Scots, through to up-and-coming studios with their whole future ahead.
No matter your role within the games ecosystem, there’s something for every designer, developer, creator, publisher, educator, academic and organisation within the programme.
Speakers include:
- Mitchell Baxter (Director, Designer at Lazy Monday Games)
- Lisa Bennett (Manager at Dimoso Scotland)
- Craig Chapple (EMEA Mobile Insights Strategies at Sensor Tower)
- Graeme Devine (Creative Technical Officer at QXR Studios)
- Stephen Hey (Consultant at HeyStephenHey)
- Vaughan Holloway (CEO at Primordial Game Studios)
- Simon Meek (Founder of The Secret Experiment)
- David Mullich (Designer and Director of Heroes of Might and Magic III)
- Patty Toledo (Marketing Director at 4Players)
- Brentton White (CEO at North Sea Games)
Brian Baglow, Founder of the Scottish Games Network and Director of Scottish Games Week said: “The global games ecosystem is far larger and extends much further than the games industry. It encompasses education, creative industries, applied games, academia and much, much more. For the first ever Scottish Games Week we wanted to reflect this ecosystem and pull in speakers from around the whole who can offer perspective, insight and experience that will give context for the ongoing evolution of the world of gaming. I am thrilled to have so many wonderful speakers joining us at Scottish Games Week and believe we have a world class programme to offer visitors across every event.”
Tickets on sale for Scottish Games Week now. Early Bird prices are going fast and close on Friday 2 September 2022. Get Yours Now.
Entries are open for the Scottish Games Awards. With 12 categories on offer, covering individuals, organisations and games, there’s an opportunity for everyone to enter. To find out more and apply (free) visit the Scottish Games Awards page.
To find out more about all of the events taking place across Scottish Games Week, visit gamesweek.scot.
Scottish Games Week is being delivered by the Scottish Games Network and is supported by the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund, delivered as part of its Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review (STER) programme.
Asia
CyberPowerPC India launches ‘Play Guarantee’ campaign for a transparent and gamer-first experience
In a market where gamers often make high-investment purchases without knowing exactly how their machine will perform until they bring it home and install a game, CyberPowerPC India is changing the game. With the Play Guarantee, CyberPowerPC India reinforces its confidence in the performance and reliability of its systems, offering buyers added assurance that what they receive will meet or exceed expectations. This is a first-of-its-kind offer in India’s custom PC market.
Every system sold under the Play Guarantee will be built using 100% brand-new parts sourced from authorized manufacturers. Each PC will come pre-installed with a genuine and activated version of Microsoft Windows at the BIOS level, ensuring users avoid post-purchase license issues or hidden software costs.
Additionally, customers will receive one year of on-site support, with certified technicians dispatched to their location for repairs or replacements, eliminating the need for long shipping delays or third-party service centers. Before dispatch, all the PCs undergo rigorous stress testing using global industry benchmarks to ensure performance integrity across GPU, CPU, thermals, and memory.
Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer, CyberPowerPC India commented,“As more Indian gamers upgrade to high-performance PCs, trust becomes a critical factor. Gamers shouldn’t have to take a leap of faith when buying a PC. They should know what they’re getting and know it works right out of the box. We at CyberPowerPC India always believed in transparency, may it be sharing FPS benchmarks before purchase or building with only brand-new components. The ‘Play Guarantee’ campaign aligns perfectly with our commitment to building a credible, consumer-first ecosystem in Indian PC gaming, especially as the community becomes more competitive and discerning.”
According to a NeoGrowth study, 54% of Indian consumers prefer offline shopping due to the assurance of authenticity and product quality, underscoring a strong demand for transparency in purchase decisions. CyberPowerPC India’s ‘Play Ready’ campaign aims to replicate this confidence in the online custom PC market.
This campaign follows the company’s recent efforts to strengthen grassroots esports infrastructure, including its partnership with Indian esports organization Orangutan to power ApeCity, a dedicated esports arena in Navi Mumbai, with high-performance systems.
As part of its ongoing investment in the growth of India’s PC gaming market, CyberPowerPC India is also working to make high-performance gaming setups more accessible to a wider range of gamers. With the launch of its ‘Play Ready’ campaign, the company aims to foster a gaming culture built on transparency, trust, and a seamless user experience.
The post CyberPowerPC India launches ‘Play Guarantee’ campaign for a transparent and gamer-first experience appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
In the latest round of Prototype Funding, Gamecity Hamburg, part of Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, supports six promising digital games with up to 80,000 euros each as a non-repayable grant. This funding enables start-ups in Hamburg and supports companies in developing marketable prototypes. In addition, start-ups and developers can apply for Gamecity Hamburg’s Games Lift Incubator until June 10: https://www.gamecity-hamburg.de/de/inkubator/
The awarding committee selected projects with the greatest market potential from the many applications. Including this seventh round of funding, the development of 37 prototypes has been supported as part of Prototype Funding since 2020. The application phase for the next Prototype Funding round will start in spring 2026.
“The high quality of the projects submitted to this funding round led to an intensive decision process within the awarding committee. The funded projects show a wide variety of genres, ideas, and teams. With the Prototype Funding, we are supporting established companies and up-and-coming start-ups in Hamburg as a games location,” commented Dennis Schoubye, Head of Gamecity Hamburg and member of the awarding committee.
The 2025 funding recipients were selected by the awarding committee, consisting of Hamburg industry experts Nina Müller (VP Publishing & Development Services, Goodgame Studios), Jonas Hüsges (Publishing Director, Daedalic Entertainment), Valentina Birke (Director Indie Arena Booth / Super Crowd Entertainment), Michael Schade (CEO & Co-Founder ROCKFISH Games) and Dennis Schoubye (Head of Gamecity Hamburg).
The Funded Projects 2025
- NeverLight by Nightless Games – € 80,000
- Pet Universe by Tivola Games – € 80,000
- Space Station Manager by gameXcite – € 80,000
- Unbreachable by Buckfish – € 72,000
- Deep Fog Signals by Symmetry Break Studio – € 32,000
- Cosmic Run by Zinktank Labs – € 30,000
NeverLight by Nightless Games
NeverLight is a dark, cooperative role-playing game with fantasy and extraction elements, in which up to three players act as hunters in an endless night in search of terrifying monsters and collect valuable loot. The game combines monster hunting with the excitement of having to bring each reward to safety with the team to receive it.
Pet Universe by Tivola Games
In the 3D animal shelter simulation “Pet Universe”, players build their animal shelter from the ground up, organize animal care, collect donations, and design the shelter grounds according to their own ideas. The aim is to care for the animals with their individual needs and to find them a loving home.
Space Station Manager by gameXcite
In this strategy building game with real-time space battles, players manage a space station that serves as a base for spaceships, battles, recruitment, and a strategy hub for missions. In addition to organizing the base, players manage their limited resources and various upgrades, improve crew morals, and explore the galaxy with their individual fleets.
Unbreachable by Buckfish
In the multiplayer strategy game “Unbreachable”, players build a fortress in each run that competes with ten castles of rival players. Players strategically construct the different fortress buildings to increase attack power or minimize weaknesses to climb the leaderboard in competition with other players.
Deep Fog Signals by Symmetry Break Studio
In this sci-fi horror game with puzzle mechanics, players are trapped in the communication room of a remote research station during a toxic storm. To escape, they must coordinate the various crew members, decipher cryptic transmissions, and complete the research as the threatening situation escalates over several days.
Cosmic Run by Zinktank Labs
In this humorous and fast-paced roguelite, players fight their way through space with their ship in order to escape from a capitalist alien dictatorship. Weapons, shields, upgrades for the engine, and customization of the ship determine the narrative of the game. Depending on the character chosen, the course of the game and the story told vary in several runs.
All detailed information on the teams and games can be found at: https://gamecity-hamburg.de/funding/#Funded_Projects_2025
Developers, start-ups, and companies from Hamburg were able to apply for Gamecity Hamburg’s prototype funding from March 3 to April 7. In 2024, Gamecity Hamburg introduced a diversity checklist when applying for prototype funding, the answers to which can optionally be used by the awarding committee in the evaluation process.
The next application phase for prototype funding will start in spring 2026.
Further funding opportunities through Gamecity Hamburg
Each year, the Games Lift Incubator supports five teams, developers, and start-ups in the development of digital games. In addition to € 15,000 in start-up funding, the recipients receive a comprehensive coaching and mentoring program with international experts as well as workshops and follow-up individual support. Since 2024, the program has also included a visit to an international industry event.
Teams and developers can currently apply for the Games Lift Incubator until June 10.
All information can be found at: https://gamecity-hamburg.de/incubator/apply-now/
The post Gamecity Hamburg Supports six new Digital Games with Prototype Funding appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
From qualifiers to finals, EAFC 25 to Beat Saber, Over R250 000 in prizes and two champions to crown – this is South Africa’s ultimate gaming experience!
South Africa’s biggest gaming tournament is back. The 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience kicks off on 18 May, bringing months of competitive energy, in-centre activations, and serious prize money to malls across the country. This year’s edition raises the stakes with the return of the EAFC 25™ National Football Tournament and the debut of the MTN Beat Saber Challenge – two national titles, one massive celebration of gaming culture.
Over five months, eight Hyprop shopping centres will play host to a mix of online qualifiers and live in-mall events, creating a national stage where gamers of all levels can test their skills, win prizes and join a fast-growing community of South African players. The top contenders will face off in the National Finals at Canal Walk from 17 to 21 September, with R50 000 on the line in the EAFC 25™ Football Final and more prizes up for grabs in the Beat Saber showdown.
Tournament Dates and Venues:
- Rosebank Mall
Online Qualifier: 18 May | In-Centre Event: 23–25 May
- Somerset Mall
Online Qualifier: 25 May | In-Centre Event: 30 May–1 June
- Woodlands
Online Qualifier: 7 June | In-Centre Event: 13–16 June
- The Glen
Online Qualifier: 22 June | In-Centre Event: 27–29 June
- Table Bay Mall
Online Qualifier: 13 July | In-Centre Event: 18–20 July
- Clearwater Mall
Online Qualifier: 3 August | In-Centre Event: 8–10 August
- Capegate Mall
Online Qualifier: 31 August | In-Centre Event: 5–7 September
- Canal Walk (National Finals & Last Qualifier)
Online Qualifier: 7 September | In-Centre Event: 17–21 September
“The SHIFT Gaming Experience is more than a tournament; it’s where South African gamers show up, show off and celebrate what they love,” says Christie Stanbridge, Brand and Campaigns Marketing Manager at Hyprop. “From football simulations to VR rhythm battles, we’ve created something that speaks to every kind of player. Whether you’re competing or just watching, there’s always something happening.”
The format combines online, and in-person play. Qualify online on the ACGL platform, then take on your opponents in-centre across malls in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria. Each in-mall weekend features the EAFC 25™ tournament, daily Fighting Cups, a PC Gaming Zone powered by PCBuilder, Carry1st COD Mobile and the popular SuperSprint lap challenge presented by the Toyota Gaming Engine.
Gamers can also go head-to-head in Tekken, Street Fighter 6, Brawlhalla, Rocket League, Minecraft and Call of Duty: Mobile, with dozens of R1 000+ gift card prizes on offer each weekend. The Beat Saber Challenge, hosted by MTN and playable both in-mall and on MTN’s Battle+ platform, brings a high-energy VR experience into the mix. Players with the highest Beat Saber scores at each mall qualify for the National Final – and anyone who tries it stands a chance to win a gaming PC worth R50 000.
“We’re creating spaces where South Africans can compete, connect and get rewarded for their passion,” says Jason Probert, General Manager: Digital Services at MTN South Africa. “Whether it’s with Beat Saber or Battle+, we want our community to know that gaming lives here.”
The SHIFT Gaming Experience also makes space for younger players. Friday events feature tournaments designed for schools and under-18 gamers, offering dedicated Minecraft build challenges, EAFC 25™ scholars only tournament and Rocket League face-offs – all with real prizes.
The post HYPROP MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience2025: South Africa’s Biggest Gaming Showdown Returns appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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