Mike Rose (No More Robots): It’s a tricky one really. I’ve been based in Manchester all my life, and there are definite upsides to starting a tech, or video game company, in and around Manchester. It’s pretty cheap compared to London, and there’s plenty of good transport links. Outside of that, No More Robots has never really gotten involved with “the Manchester video game scene” so much, nor has really being in Manchester benefitted us in that regard. I would like to see the Manchester game scene expand a bit more, but right now it’s a bit flat – however, you could very well put that down to COVID, so it’s a bit hard to say currently what the state of it truly is.
Phil Gaskell (Ripstone): I’m buoyed when I hear anywhere outside London is becoming a hub for talent and growth, and even more so when the spotlight is being put on areas that are right on our doorstep, just 30 miles away, instead of hundreds of miles away in London. It means all of the North West can thrive on the increase in talent, investment and infrastructure and I feel it’s worth acknowledging that alongside Manchester’s thriving tech scene, Liverpool is itself a centre of excellence and growth, especially for video games, immersive tech, films and music. I also think that more growth outside of London is even
more important to our industry now that the UK no longer has a seat at the EU table, as we need greater emphasis on cities and locales outside of the capital if we are to succeed on a global footing. We have waves of tech-savvy digital natives coming through the education system and it’s important there are abundant job opportunities for them in areas of the UK that are affordable to thrive in.
WHAT BENEFITS ARE THERE TO BEING BASED IN THE NORTH WEST?
Gareth Jones (Playdemic): I guess the simplest answer is that costs are lower. Both at a business level but also from a cost-of-living standpoint. The Greater Manchester area is also full of great places to live, so you can be close to an amazing city but also have access to incredible countryside.
Arden Aspinall (Rebellion North): The North is well known for its industrial roots – we work hard and play hard and know that true skills are wrought through experience, and attention to detail. Not for nothing do they use the words Northern Powerhouse. We appreciate craftsmanship and creative thinking, prudence and practicality. These values underpin our
“I found Manchester to be an incredible city. Friendly, vibrant and always evolving. It has culture and it has character. It has many of the best attributes of London and less of the negatives.” Gareth Jones, head of production, Playdemic
March 2022 MCV/DEVELOP | 55
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