The world-leading student computer game design competition Dare to be Digital will be bigger than ever before this year, with the launch of the new Dare Indie Fest sharing the secrets for games industry success.
The three-day event on 10th-12th August will be presented by the Abertay University Prototype Fund and will have a strong focus on bringing independent developers together with publishers, funders and commissioners. Visitors will get to make serious contacts and discuss new business opportunities.
"The Prototype Fund has received applications for funding from over 250 companies since it was launched and we have already funded 35 indie developers," said Paul Durrant, Director of Business Development at Abertay University.
"Presenting Dare Indie Fest at Dare ProtoPlay is a part of our wider support for the companies we've already invested in and the young, promising businesses we will support in the future."
Speakers include the Games Commissioner at Channel 4; the Executive Producer of Gaming at BBC Worldwide; CCP, the Icelandic creators of the world's largest game universe EVE Online; online game network Turbulenz; data experts Games Analytics and many, many more to be announced soon.
BAFTA, long-time partners with Dare to be Digital's exclusive ‘Ones to Watch' BAFTA award, will also bring its hugely popular BAFTA Games Question Time to Dare Indie Fest.
Dare Indie Fest is part of Dare ProtoPlay, the games festival where all 15 of the brand new Dare to be Digital games go on show to the public. It will be held in Dundee's Caird Hall on 10th-12th August.
Gregor White, Director of Dare to be Digital, said "Dare Indie Fest will be a fantastic opportunity for independent companies to come to Dundee and make the contacts they need to find new opportunities and secure new business.
"We're delighted to welcome the commissioners from BBC Worldwide and Channel 4, who are responsible for commissioning new games to support their world-class broadcasting, as well a host of publishers and internationally successful games companies.
"Dare Indie Fest will help independent game developers learn how to build their business and promises to be a very exciting weekend indeed."
The sessions include: Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, Chief Executive of CCP, will reveal (some!) of the secrets behind the success of EVE Online, Colin Macdonald, Commissioning Editor for Games at Channel 4, and Simon Harris, Executive Producer, Digital Entertainment & Gaming at BBC Worldwide, will both discuss the opportunities for games companies to work with major broadcasters, Chris Wright, Chief Executive and Co-founder of Games Analytics, will talk about how game analytics affect game concept development
Game developers can apply for space to exhibit their games to industry experts and thousands of members of the public at Dare Indie Fest for FREE.
All companies interested in exhibiting should apply at http://www.daretobedigital.com/128_Dare-Indie-Fest-Dare-ProtoPlay.html
Last year, the Dare ProtoPlay attracted over 9,000 visitors in three days. This year, the venue will be almost twice the size - with a massive marquee taking over Dundee's City Square, adding to the space inside the Caird Hall.