Scotland’s biggest computer games festival kicked off in Dundee giving fans of all ages the chance to preview games that are not even released yet for free.
Organised by Abertay University, the four-day Dare ProtoPlay event brings teams of computer games students from all over the world to compete in the city famous for its games development.
Industry legend Ian Livingstone, who created Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, opened the show in the Caird Hall and City Square along with Scottish Government minister Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for culture and external affairs.
They joined thousands of members of the public who turned up on the first day to play new games created by students in the internationally-renowned Dare to be Digital competition.
Mr Livingstone said: “It’s great to be back in Dundee to open Scotland’s biggest computer games festival, speak to the next generation of entrepreneurs and to see games created by some of the world’s most talented students in just nine weeks.
“The Dare ProtoPlay festival is a very inspiring event, giving children the opportunity to meet game creators and to show them that their passion for art, design or maths can be harnessed to move from playing games at home to creating their own games as a fun, rewarding career.”
Fifteen teams of students compete each year to build a game in just nine weeks, with three winners then nominated for the exclusive Bafta Ones to Watch Award for new games talent.
Last year’s festival attracted 10,000 visitors over three days, and this year more are expected as a fourth day has been added due to the high demand.
Gregor White, project director of Dare ProtoPlay for Abertay University, said as well as an opportunity for young creators to showcase their skills to industry giants, the festival is about inspiring young people by highlighting the games industry as a career.
He said a young Abertay success story who now works for Ubisoft has returned as a judge at this year’s event.
Amr Din attended the Dare schools challenge, went on to study computer art at Abertay and was one of the winning Dare teams, nominated for a Bafta before he was snapped up by the games giant to work on titles like Just Dance in Newcastle.
Mr White said: “It is not all just about playing games, this is a serious business.
“Talent is a big risk for the computer games industry and that’s why Microsoft and Sony and others are here to ensure they have the best of the young creative talent coming through.”
Professor Louis Natanson, who leads computer games education at Abertay University, said: “Games are an incredible artistic and creative medium, and we’re delighted to welcome Fiona Hyslop back to open Scotland’s biggest computer games festival at the very moment Dundee prepares its final bid to be UK City of Culture 2017.”
Ms Hyslop said: “Scotland’s computer games industry is undoubtedly one of our global success stories and the DareProtoPlay festival never fails to showcase the innovative and cutting-edge , talent and infrastructure that Scotland has to offer.
She also met the V&A’s first ever game designer in residence, Sophia George, as well as representatives from the National Theatre of Scotland, who created their first game this year with Dundee-based games studio Quartic Llama.
Running alongside the festival is a conference with speakers including representatives from Channel 4, Edinburgh International Film Festival, and the V&A at Dundee.
The free festival runs from 10am to 6pm until Sunday and is sponsored by Creative Scotland, Dundee City Council and EventScotland.