Latest Articles

Cut&Paste 2009 Digital Design Tournament

It’s that time again. The Call for Competitors is open for entries! Got skills in 2D, 3D, or Motion? You could be one of the designers selected to represent London in fast-paced, single-elimination rounds, each with a unique design theme and set time limit.

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Easy Listening: Radio and the Web

Radio as we know it is changing. With more and more Internet radio channels cropping up and multiple platforms with which to consume them, choice for the listener has arguably never been wider. With its public seminar on the future of radio upcoming later this month, New Media Knowledge spoke to one of the participants about his experience.

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The Rise and Rise of Word-of-Mouth Marketing

‘Word-of-mouth’ marketing is set to become big business in 2009, according to industry analysts. NMK spoke to one analytical firm helping a number of firms maximise their word-of-mouth potential and therefore react quickly to changing market demands.

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Writing for Games

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Writing for games is an often-overlooked career path, but it’s a great opportunity for writers who want to flex their creative muscles. It can involve plot development, script-writing, copywriting, dialogue creation, project documentation, humour writing, characterisation and character development and a load of other elements that exercise a writer’s abilities.

THIS EVENT HAS NOW SOLD OUT - OUR APOLOGIES FOR ANY DISAPPOINTMENT

 

 

(The discounted price applies to freelancers, students, unemployed, companies with fewer than 10 employees and not-for-profits. You may be asked to provide credentials on the door.) 

The Event 

Playing games online and off is an incredibly popular pastime and an industry that’s increasing in size all the time. Whether via consoles, computers, mobiles or online, people can’t get enough of gaming as entertainment.

But how is writing for games different to other kinds of writing? How do you get into it as a job? What do games developers and designers look for when selecting a writer to collaborate with? At what stage of the process does a writer get involved? What exactly does a games writer do on different types of games? Is it a good way to get into other forms of writing like TV and film (or is it the other way around)?

Who Should Book?

Come if you want to:

• • Write for games;

• • Know more about the subject;

• • Meet copywriters who want to write for games;

• • Are interested in games.

Who's Speaking? 

NMK got together with Online Content UK and Mesh Minds to put together a cracking panel...

Katie Ellwood, Games Writer, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe  www.scee.net

Katie Ellwood started her career in game writing in 2000 when she co-wrote The Getaway screenplay for Sony's Team Soho.  She joined Sony Computer Entertainment as script consultant and assistant producer in 2001.  Two Getaway games later she became the narrative producer and writer for the Getaway franchise, a role ranging from creating narrative concepts, to interactive story design and heading up writing teams.  Her production role spanned the creative design, cinematic teams and external acting & directing talent.   In 2006 Katie made a shift into film writing and directing - she is currently working on two feature film projects.  Last year Katie set up her own company Ellwood Entertainment which continues to work on a number of next generation game titles with an associate team of UK-based and US-based writers.

Adrian Hon, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Six to Start  www.sixtostart.com

Adrian is one of the world’s leading alternate reality game designers, having been influential in the genre since its birth. Previously, Adrian was Director of Play at Mind Candy, where he designed and produced Perplex City, the world’s first commercially successful ARG. Some of the venues at which Adrian has spoken include TED, Google, GDC, Nordic Game and the Montreal Games Summit.

Naomi Alderman, is a novelist, games writer and journalist

Naomi Alderman's first novel Disobedience, published in 2006, won the Orange New Writers Award, the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year award and won her a place among Waterstones 25 Writers for the Future. She was the lead writer on award-winning alternate reality game Perplex City, and wrote the Secret Seventh Story for Penguin's recent We Tell Stories project. Currently finishing her second novel, she writes occasional columns for the Guardian: a recent piece in praise of computer games led one commenter to say "I want to buy her dinner and stand outside her house holding a boombox over my head," but Naomi has yet to see this promise made good.

Steve Ince is a games writer and designer via inceSIGHT www.incesight.co.uk

Steve is an award-nominated writer-designer with twelve years of game development experience. He has played a key role in the success of a number of critically acclaimed games. His various published titles - as well as speculative projects and pitch proposals - ensure that he is fully aware of the rigorous demands that a development schedule makes on all aspects of the creative process. His nomination for Excellence in Writing at the Game Developers Choice Awards 2004 followed three BAFTA nominations received for Broken Sword - The Sleeping Dragon: Best Game Design, Best PC Game and Best Adventure.  It was awarded Game of the Year by the UK national newspaper, The Independent.

Who's Behind It?

NMK is a learning and business information hub for companies and individuals working in UK digital media. www.nmk.co.uk

Mesh hosts, promotes and supports cultural events and networking parties showcasing the talents of our creative young business professional members.  www.meshminds.com

Online Content UK is an editorial agency and network of content professionals. www.onlinecontentuk.org

Location

Zigfrid von Underbelly

Zigfrid von Underbelly, 11 Hoxton Square, London, United Kingdom

Web: http://www.zigfrid.com/ 

Nearest Tube: Old Street