Develop: Brighton 2015 – Everything you need to know

THE ESSENTIALS

What: Develop: Brighton 2015

Where: Hilton Metropole Hotel, Brighton

When: July 14th to 16th

More information: www.developconference.com

Use discount code DEV15NM to get 10 per cent off all passes

THE KEYNOTES

Evolve Keynote: Peak mobile – are we there yet?
Tues | 9.30am – 10.15am | Room 4
Industry veteran Neil Young explains why we haven’t yet seen all that mobile can do.

Develop Keynote: Why We Fight
Weds | 9.30am – 10.30am | Room 2
Gearbox Software’s CEO and President Randy Pitchford will share his years of experience with Brighton attendees.

Indie Dev Day Keynote: Rami Ismail
Thurs | 10am – 11am | Room 2
The Vlambeer co-founder will discuss the challenges, concerns and hopes faced by all indie developers today. 

THE DEVELOP AWARDS 2015

This year’s awards will be held on Wednesday from 7pm in the Hilton Metropole’s Oxford Suite. There are 137 companies in the running for this year’s revamped roster of 20 awards. Book your place at
www.developawards.com. 

THE EXPO

The Develop Expo runs alongside the conference from Wednesday, July 15th to Thursday, July 16th. Free to all visitors, this also includes the Indie Showcase and Develop Networking Bar sponsored by Unreal Engine.

This year’s exhibitors include: Amazon, Bluegfx, Ciklum, GamesAid, Invest In Warwickshire, Kingston University, MHT Game, Mixamo, NFTS, Perforce, Player Research, Playwest (UWE Bristol), Reallusion, Special Effect, Sprung Studios, Unity, Vicon Motion Systems, and The Wellcome Trust.

MUST SEE SESSIONS

[Evolve] The world as your game map: Blending virtual experiences with
real-world exploration
Tuesday | 10.15am – 11am | Room 4
The founder of Google’s Niantic Labs tells us how ubiquitous connectivity will enable games to cross boundaries. 

[Evolve] First mover disadvantage: The trials and tribulations of running for the start line
Tuesday | 4pm – 4.45pm | Room 5
Learn the pitfalls in advance from Bossa Studio’s Vince Farquharson. 

[Evolve] The Develop magazine panel: What next big thing is just around the corner?
Tuesday | 5pm – 5.45pm | Room 4
Editor James Batchelor hosts a panel discussing the major growth areas expected in the next 18 months.

[Business] Five years on: Government relationship with the video games industry
Wednesday | 10.30am – 11am | Room 2
Insight from long-time industry supporter, Ed Vaizey: the UK’s Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries

[Design] Allow them to believe: Lessons in creating rich dynamic VR gameplay
Wednesday | 2pm – 2.45pm | Room 2
Virtual reality pioneer Katie Goode explains how to make VR experiences that go beyond the cockpit.

[Marketing] Twitch, YouTube, Vine… Keeping ahead of the mobile marketing curve
Wednesday | 3pm – 3.45pm| Room 5
TinyBuild’s Mike Rose explains why internet celebs are the new gateway to your audience.

[Audio] Achieving the impossible: Planning sound and music for huge triple-A games
Thursday | 10am – 11am | Room 5
Rockstar alumni and Solid Audioworks founders Will Morton and Craig Conner share their experience. 

[Business] People’s Choice
Thursday | 2pm – 2.45pm | Room 2
A brand new session voted for by attendees ahead of the conference. Choices include ‘Financing Tips From The Film Industry’, ‘Market It Like An Indie’ and ‘Becoming Indie Before The Word Was Invented’.

[Indie Dev] Killing the ‘lucky indie’ myth: How to build a sustainable micro studio
Thursday | 3pm – 3.45pm | Room 1
Maia creator Simon Roth dispels the misconceptions around some of the most successful indie games. Check out a preview of this session here.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Running again this year is the Develop Game Jam, a 24-hour hackathon that will take place from Wednesday to Thursday. 

The Develop:Brighton app is once again available for free, allowing users to track their schedule and contact
other attendees. More info at www.developconference.com.

After hours plans kick off with Ice Breaker Welcome Drinks in the Waterhouse Bar from 6pm on Tuesday, with Close of Conference Beers taking place in the same venue from 6pm on Thursday.

The GamesAid Charity Poker Tournament will be held at Relentless Software’s offices on Tuesday from 8pm. The address is 1 Air St, Brighton, BN1 3FB.