Where Will Electronic Arts, Codemasters, Or Other UK Developers Find The Next Peter Molyneauxs, Iain Livingstones or Toby Guards?

April 8 2005

For immediate release

Game developers searching for new ideas and the innovators of the future may well turn to the yearly crop of graduates fresh from the UK's universities. But is this talent ready for the workplace? Why do some developers look overseas? Does a university course provide the necessary know-how and is the industry ready to embrace this new talent?

These questions and the surrounding issues will be answered at EM Media's next PUBLIC DOMAIN event to be held in Nottingham on Thursday 28 April.

PUBLIC DOMAIN: NEW TALENT will focus on new talent in the industry. The event features a keynote speech from Jolyon Webb (Codemasters) and a panel discussion with Fred Gill (Electronic Arts), Michael Powell (De Montfort University) and Toby Barnes (EM Media).

The event is not the chance to try out a sales pitch or headhunt; instead EM Media aims to facilitate a frank and open discussion of the art and science of games development.

Toby Barnes, Executive Producer for Digital Media at EM Media comments, "Working with Universities and the companies here in the East Midlands there clearly is a gap to bridge when it comes to the life-blood of our industry. Where do we find the next stars and how do we encourage people to move up in an organisation to a place where they want to be?"

With around 20% of the UK's development occurring within the East Midlands and some of the biggest games icons born here, EM Media has recognised the need to support the games development sector to ensure its growth and ability to produce the world's top games, both in terms of sales and creativity and innovation."

Confirmed speakers:

Toby Barnes, (EM Media) on EM Media's role within games development in the East Midlands. Fred Gill, (Chief Technology Director, Electronic Arts) on the current needs of the UK's development community. Jolyon Webb, (Principal Artist, Central Technology Group at Codemasters), on developing talent, working with education and the future for developers. Michael Powel, (Senior Lecturer in Games Design, De Montfort University) on providing the games community with some of the most talented graduates in the country.

PUBLIC DOMAIN: Developing Games in the East Midlands takes place on Thursday 28 April at NCSL (National College of School Leadership) in Nottingham; starting at 6pm. Attendance is free. Places can be booked via games@em-media.org.uk or just turn up on the night.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

• EM Media is the regional screen agency shaping a vibrant media future across England's East Midlands. Its aims and priorities are focused on the development of a sustainable and accessible film and media industry in the region.

• EM Media supports the games development sector within the East Midlands by assisting the development of new and existing products and services. EM Media provides investment and support through training, skills development, research and development, tax credit assessment, royalty audit assessment, business development and pitch development services. EM Media has historically invested in products and games and currently has a substantial amount to invest in further media product.

• EM Media also provides a range of media business support and development services (including location finding and crew support) in addition to financial investment for individuals and businesses working in film, television, radio and digital media across England's East Midlands.

• UBLIC DOMAIN: is a series of events that provide the East Midland's development community with a commercial and technologically driven professional analysis of developing games in the region along with a far-reaching program of content.

• NCSL (National College of School Leadership) is one of Nottingham's largest exhibition and conference venues. For venue information including directions visit www.ncsl.org.uk/directions

• For further information please contact: toby.barnes@em-media.org.uk or sally.hodgson@em-media.org.uk. 0115 934 9090

• Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, EA posted revenues of $2.96 billion for fiscal 2004.

EA's homepage and online game site is www.uk.ea.com . More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found at www.uk.ea.com/press

• Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience on current and future gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company's dominant brands include Colin McRae Rally, TOCA Race Driver, LMA Manager, the Club Football range and Operation Flashpoint. More information about the company and its products is available online at www.codemasters.com