indicative of the general quality of the graduates themselves I feel. Not something I’m happy to say though.” Sumo’s Porter partially agrees with
Gilray’s statements, but suggests there is also plenty to be happy about in the region, although students should perhaps be encouraged to do their own thing, given the array of options available to todays developers. “Taught game development is something that is going very well here in Sheffield,” he says. “However, some universities still
teach game development with Java which is not at all appropriate for us. We have got really good relationships with our local university and there is some really good talent coming through. “It would be nice to see local institutions and students being more entrepreneurial and creative. Those students have a huge opportunity to try and create apps and small games which they can self-publish.”
GO NORTH Despite these challenges, Yorkshire looks to be in a healthy position to face its problems head on, and better placed perhaps than many other regions in the UK with its skillset accredited local courses and funding initiatives. In that
context, local improvements do not appear to be far off. “As the importance of a southern location begins to matter less I can see more studios moving to Yorkshire, or perhaps opening a Yorkshire office,” says Dubit’s Warneford. “For those already here the outlook is
good. We have some excellent educational establishments producing talented individuals and the development scene in the region is really exciting. “Conditions are just right for another
Yorkshire studio to make it big.” Double Eleven’s Ware believes that not only will studios in the region overcome these issues, but through their reputation of working together, could perhaps turn this region into a world leading development hub in future, showing that confidence in Yorkshire is not in short supply. “Hopefully the newer studios will
become more established and new ones will continue to emerge,” he says. “At the same time collaboration will evolve and strengthen all involved, and as the economy picks up in general hopefully we’ll be well positioned to affirm our position as world leaders in making games, as we always have been, and should continue to be.”