The Spine building in Paddington Village

Liverpool takes centre stage at gaming industry summit

Liverpool is gearing up to be at the heart of the UK games industry tomorrow (November 14) as it proudly hosts Develop:North 2024.

Bringing together game developers, creative minds, and industry leaders from across the UK and beyond, this leading industry event promises to inspire, connect, and shape the future of gaming.

Designed and delivered by Tandem Events, Develop:North 2024is billed as a critically important event for anyone involved in games development, from established professionals to up-and-coming talent.

Develop: North, which will be hosted in the award-winning Spine building in Paddington Village, is supported by Liverpool City Council’s Business Support Service through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the lead authority.

The one-day conference offers a packed programme of expert talks and invaluable networking opportunities.

The event will spotlight high-profile speakers from leading UK studios, providing a valuable platform for gaming professionals to connect with leading games developers to be inspired by the latest thought-leadership and industry expertise.

Liverpool-led sessions at the conference include Liverpool’s Wushu Studios’ Alan McDermott, Jo Daly, and Nigel Kershaw who will deliver a keynote on ‘Building a Positive and People-first Future for Game Development’.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “I’m positive that Develop:North 2024 will bring significant benefits to Liverpool City Region’s gaming industry, by connecting creatives and developers both nationally and abroad, paving the way for future success.

“I’m proud that we’re at the vanguard of the future of gaming, redefining it right here in the heart of the Liverpool City Region.”

Cllr Nick Small
, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, ischampioning Liverpool’s credentials as a leading UK cluster for games development.

Cllr Small said: “Our gaming scene is thriving right now, merging a rich heritage with cutting-edge innovation. I’m delighted the city is hosting Develop:North2024 as it puts the spotlight on how much is happening in the city in this hugely important sector.

“We’re very proud of the fact Liverpool is home to major players like PlayStation and Tencent, alongside dynamic indie studios that have developed successful titles such as The Queen’s Gambit Chess, Wipeout Omega Collection, PlayStation VR Worlds, and Combat League, to name just a few recent critical and commercial successes.”

Jo Daly, Studio Development Director at Liverpool’s Wushu Studios, who will host the event’s keynote session, added: “I’m delighted that Liverpool is hosting Develop:North 2024. The gaming industry is known for its innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking approach.

“It’s a fast-paced sector that leads the way in taking risks and sharing cutting-edge insights. This is an unmissable event for gaming professionals who are serious about driving success. I look forward to sharing our experience and being inspired by other industry leaders.”

Liverpool Waterfront