Want to learn about making games from the best?

October 2007.

Skillset's Skills Week, a series of free sessions running between 22-26 October 2007 as part of the London Games Festival, will have the answers you're looking for.

With experts from across the industry the week promises to provide audiences with the tricks, contacts and experiences to find new or better jobs in the games industry. Whether you currently work in the games industry, or are looking to move from TV, web, film or IT the week's talks will provide the answers.

Full Programme available - http://lgfskillsweek.squarespace.com

Highlights of the week include a modding workshop on Monday (Designing a game in Unreal), the secrets behind Heavenly Sword on Tuesday, a showreel surgery on Wednesday (Offering real jobs from EA, Blitz and others), How to develop a MMO by the UK's premiere MMOG developer Monumental, and art tips from the guys behind Heavenly Sword, Lord of the Rings, and Superman Returns on Friday.

Skills Week is supported by the LDA and Skillset and features talks from Electronic Arts, Rare, Lionhead, Blitz Games, Monumental Games, NCSoft, Escape Studios, 01Zero-one, Pixel-Lab as well as range of games industry and academic experts.

Matthew Jeffrey, Head of European Recruitment, Electronic Arts said:

"Europe, particularly the UK, is home to the world's finest talent pool. The UK creates world class, leading games, many of which are the envy of the world. But as gaming continues to grow at a rapid pace, skills shortages are becoming ever more common, particularly in the UK. Games companies need to broaden out their recruiting scope and attract in talent from other new industries and seduce more diverse groups into game teams, particularly women and ethnic minorities. Skills Week asks all the difficult questions, encourages debate and seeks to provide answers to games industry skill shortages. It is a must attend event for games industry executives looking for recruitment answers."

Nick Burton, Senior Programmer, Rare said;

"Game development has one of, if not the, most diverse skills requirements of all modern media ranging from mathematicians and physicists at one end of the spectrum to actors and architects at the other. For the UK games industry to maintain its position as one of the world leaders we need to diversify recruitment into these new areas while continuing to work hard with the more traditional routes into our industry such as software engineering and art skills. Skills Week gives attendees the chance to discuss these issues and find out what it's like working in the UK's most exiting media industry from some of its most seasoned practitioners."

Toby Allen, Assistant Producer, Sumo Digital said;

"Skills Week brings a new opportunity to highlight the UK's gaming industry and its current state of expansion as a world-class leader in game development. There has never been a better time or place to join the gaming industry for young and talented bright minds. New opportunities are present throughout our industry, with a new drive for a diversified and fresh talent highlighted by Skills Week. The UK industry provides a tremendous amount of support for game development through their university courses and the creation of talented young individuals that will help shape and drive the future of this booming industry."

Full Programme available - http://lgfskillsweek.squarespace.com

Entry is free but places are limited, register at http://lgfskillsweek.squarespace.com/register/

More details: http://www.skillset.org/games or http://lgfskillsweek.squarespace.com

COPY END

Media contact:

Rajiv Maharaj

Skillset Press/Pr Manager

Phone: 02077 139812

Mobile: 07968 010325

Email: rajivM@skillset.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries covering Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are licensed by the UK Government and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. SSCs are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector. www.skillset.org

1. Skills Week is co-ordinated by Pixel-Lab, a computer games and digital media development agency working across the UK's computer game and digital media industries. Pixel-Lab advises, develops and delivers strategies to support growth in the games industry from skills development to support infrastructure. Pixel-Lab also works with organisations outside the industry, enabling them to harness the power of games. www.pixel-lab.co.uk

1. Skills Week is supported and funded by the London Development Agency (LDA). The LDA works to improve the quality of life for all Londoners and drive sustainable economic growth.

The LDA invests more than £400 Million a year to create jobs and develop healthy, sustainable communities. It also supports London as a financial, educational and research centre. It tackles the barriers to employment for certain groups, encourages business and cultural activities and improves infrastructure and the environment.

In this way the LDA ensures all Londoners can gain from and contribute to London's economic success. www.lda.gov.uk