One of Dundee’s most historic buildings is to host one of Scotland’s most modern industries on Saturday.
The McManus art gallery and museum will break new ground by harnessing the city’s brilliant computer games brains to highlight the importance of a transforming industry now worth £1 billion to the UK economy and employing 9000 people.
The event, to take place at the McManus Collections Unit in Barrack Street, has been titled The Full Spectrum: A History of Dundee’s Gaming Industry. It will allow the public close scrutiny of an industry that has thrust today’s Dundee into the global marketplace in the manner that linen, jute and biosciences did in 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
The free event in the former natural history museum building has been arranged by Rhona Rodger, social history curator. Joining Rhona will be some of the industry’s top brass, including Gary Timmons, who worked for DMA and helped develop Lemmings.
Gary will talk about DMA, the global success of Lemmings, and the start of the gaming industry in Dundee.
Mike Dailly, who also worked for DMA and now works for YoYo Games, will discuss his experience of working in the industry.
The final speaker is Iain Donald who worked for Realtime Worlds and is now a lecturer in interactive media production at the Institute of Arts, Media and Computer Games at Abertay, which launched the world’s first computer games degree in 1997.
Iain will talk about Abertay’s computer games course, and look at what is in store for those seeking a career in the industry.
There will be a chance to rediscover classic games and connect with the future of gaming, plus the option of a visit to Abertay’s Centre for Excellence for a first look and to try out students’ work in development.
It won’t all be computer chat, however. As well as reminiscing about the birth of the computer games industry in Dundee and considering its future, there will be a chance to have a go on some classic computers.
The Full Spectrum is at 2pm on Saturday at The Collections Unit, Barrack Street. Admission is free, but places are limited, so booking is essential. To book, call McManus reception desk on 01382 307200. The event is suitable for ages 16 years and over.