Software City International 2012

AS part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Liverpool will be hosting a special, one off, super charged edition of Software City International, on Wednesday, 14 March 2012, at the ACC (Arena and Convention Centre) located on the former King's Dock, Liverpool. The aim of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress will be to bring businesses and investors together. It is hoped that it will attract entrepreneurs and finance providers from Liverpool and abroad, so that they can discover the potential in Merseyside based business and provide access to vital new connections, plus give top quality advice. The event will also see a special guest appearance from a BBC Dragon, and presenting will be BBC’s Simon Jack. Regardless of the sector you are in, if you want to grow your business, discover new ways to access finance, learn how to get your company investment ready or even if you simply want to come and network with people who have 'been there and done it', well you cannot afford not to register. There is no cost to attend, but you must book NOW to avoid disappointment as capacity is limited. To reserve your place, please go to click on here. "Once your place is confirmed you will also be placed on the exclusive guest list for the after show networking party, to be held in the stylish Pan American Bar, located on the historic Albert Dock. You will receive a confirmation email once your booking has been processed." Liverpool Vision told us.

I ♥ Gaming inspires the next generation of digital entrepreneurs

THERE can be only be few schools in the UK, let alone in Liverpool, who can say they enticed pupils back to the classroom on the very 1st day of their half term holiday; yet there’s is one! North Liverpool Academy was the location for on Monday, 13 February 2012, of an unusual site, with 100 plus teenagers lining up to get through the doors of this striking building overlooking the city on Everton Brow.

Granted, computer games were involved. And yes, there was the promise of meeting with Sony, creators of PlayStation. But even so, I Love Gaming, the event behind this half term pilgrimage, was entirely educational, involving a bit of brainpower, imagination, concentration and investigation, as well as plenty of classroom work!

I Love Gaming offered a ground-breaking mix of digital workshops, interactive demonstrations and 3D presentations by successful games developers, who were themselves eager to speak to the ‘next generation’ of innovators.

The highlight was undoubtedly The Stereoscopic 3D Experience, a keynote session from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) and screened by White Space Productions. Armed with 3D glasses, the audience was captivated by Sony’s vision of the future using the latest technology that allows 2 viewers to see 2 different images, simultaneously, on 1 screen.

Among the experts who turned up to talk to the young delegates were Liverpool-based mobile app creators Apposing, interactive software developer Onteca, Catalyst Outsourcing, Setgo and Totem Games. Many had worked on popular games such as Wipeout, James Bond and Formula 1, and were releasing new games, apps, software or hardware using the latest technology.

Academics and students from Liverpool John Moores and Sheffield Hallam universities encouraged the young people to think about further study. While 3-D Hub, Flashbang Science and robotics company RoboSavvy; creator of Nao, an endearing humanoid robot; held the gamesters wide-eyed and enthralled.

Keen supporter of I Love Gaming was BAFTA award-winner Ivan Davies, whose company, Catalyst Outsourcing, provides production solutions for all aspects of videogames. Ivan’s Catalyst workshop drew in large groups of youngsters throughout the day, as he outlined the range of skills and specialized knowledge needed to get ahead in the gaming industry:- "There are so many opportunities in a huge number of disciplines, from development to production, sound, animation, publishing and sales. However, it’s the people who have the best and most workable ideas, who know the technology inside out, and who know the psychology behind how and why a game will be popular, who will have the most success. One thing is certain, though – people like playing games. They will continue to play games. And the market will just grow and grow."

I Love Gaming was also a golden opportunity for the pupils to learn from successful businesses, educators and entrepreneurs as well as getting the chance to talk them about the opportunities that are available to them, now and in the future. As well as trying their hand at creating backgrounds, characters and movement, students gained knowledge of the science behind the games, and were given an informed insight into the roles and jobs that are available; from coders to designers, audio engineers to animators, and testers to producers.

"More than £300 million a year is generated by the games industry in Merseyside. We have growing companies, desperate to employ talented young people, right here on our doorstep. Liverpool is the place to be if you want a career in the gaming technology sector." said Jade Parkinson-Hill, Director of Enterprise, North Liverpool Academy.

3D-Hub (a joint venture between White Space Productions and US company Instant Effects) showed how 3D can improve lessons in schools. Using advanced graphics, students can look inside and view objects from all angles, making the classroom a place of inspiration and exploration. Many budding entrepreneurs also quizzed former Academy pupils Alex Ormrod and Stephen Patterson, both 19, who created the successful web-based Mafia game Tough Society. Now at university and studying internet computing and computer forensics respectively, Alex and Stephen are sure to have fuelled many more young dreams.