Hilton Brighton Metropole 9 - 11 July 2019

Insight:Inspiration:Networking

DESIGN

ART

AUDIO

BUSINESS

CODING

EVOLVE

INDIE

Discoverability

Blog Guest Blog: Stop tempting me

Posted: 8th March 2016

I hate the whole “there’s never been a more exciting time” rhetoric. Hate it. Because generally it’s a tool used by spokespeople and media-trained executives to discuss things that, in the grand scheme of things, aren’t actually that exciting and/or have probably been more exciting in the past.

However, it is hard to think of a better time to be even vaguely associated with games development.

The one thing I find myself marvelling at everyday is this: Anyone can make a game. Anyone. No exceptions. A roofer with no experience can develop a title that attracts hundreds of thousands of gamers. Teams of three or four people can create experiences of triple-A quality (or close to it) from their bedroom or garage. An established developer who feels constrained by the studio they work for can branch out and single-handedly rake in millions with a game about rectangles.

The barriers to entry have been torn down, largely thanks to the leading engine creators who have released their high-end tech – source code and all – for free. Developers have taken to the internet to share their knowledge, to help new and aspiring games makers learn everything they need to bring their vision to life. So not only can anyone make a game, they’re actively encouraged to.

Which makes my job rather difficult. Not only do I have more ambitious studios and innovative projects than ever to cover, but it’s a massive distraction as the games I see all seem to be saying the same thing: you could do this too, y’know?

Every event I attend, every expo floor I browse is a veritable minefield of inspiration, triggering ideas to explode in my mind. Every new tool that makes crucial aspects of games development that little bit more accessible chips away at my internal Wall of Excuses. Every conference talk provides me with hints, tips and strategies that I almost feel obliged to try out for myself, simply because they sound so achievable.

And then there are the developers themselves – wonderful, friendly, approachable people all enjoying the same journey, taking that single, golden idea and trying to make it playable. I genuinely struggle to decide what I enjoy more: catching up with devs who I have met before and hearing the latest on their project, or meeting brand new games makers for the first time and discovering what fresh concepts they’re bringing to this ever-changing industry.

A decade ago, before I even worked in the industry, these people seemed almost out of reach, as if in another world. These were the teams that made the games taking up almost every hour of my spare time – they were gods of creation. And even now I’m learning how brilliantly ordinary these people are. Talented, of course, but ordinary. They’re just like me, I’m just like them. I could be like them. No, wait, feeling tempted again…

So you’ll forgive me if you see me with my fingers in my ears this July!

James Batchelor is Editor at Develop magazine.

Share this page

LATEST NEWS

Develop:Brighton 2019 Speaker Submissions Now Open 15th January 2019

New Format and New Name for Awards During Develop:Brighton the Develop:Star Awards to Focus on Creative Excellence 8th January 2019

Develop:Brighton Announce Record Attendance Figures 19th July 2018

What the Golf? and Skybolt Zack Win Indie Showcase Awards at Develop:Brighton 2018 17th July 2018

Guest Blog: Can Games Benefit From Blockchain-Based Public Infrastructure? 29th June 2018

Guest Blog: The Unexpected Variability of Physically Based Viewports 22nd June 2018

I really like Develop, I really like the intimacy of it and I love the location.. there’s a good diversity of talks going on so there hasn’t been a time when there’s nothing I want to see.

Brenda Romero

Romero Games

There’s really something for everyone at Develop and the experience of being around like-minded people is really useful.

Grace Carroll

Creative Assembly

Develop is a very important place – it’s one of the few developer focussed conferences we have in Europe and that makes it very valuable.

Rami Ismail

Vlambeer

There really is a huge mix of people at Develop - loads of peers that you can learn from and the perfect blend of every element of game development as well.

Alex Moyet

Curve Digital

A lot of the opportunities that come from being here are speaking to other developers who are doing exactly the same thing as you. And there are some good parties – it’s very much a pleasurable work experience!

Gemma Foster

Dlala Studios

If you really want to have a good interface with the British game developer community then this is the place to come.

Kate Edwards

Geogrify

I absolutely love coming to Develop, it’s a brilliant, brilliant conference – you just know you’re guaranteed to meet everyone.

Jo Twist, OBE

Ukie

I’ve felt a big passion here at Develop!

Tetsuya Mizuguchi

Enhance Games

Develop is an excellent way of catching up with people – there’s a really nice community feel here.

Mike Bithell

Mike Bithell Games

Develop:Brighton’s a great conference. It’s got a spread of people from all parts of the games industry talking about such a wide range of topics.

David Amor

Mag Interactive

Get involved today!

There are many ways you can be part of Develop:Brighton 2018 - including speaking in the conference, taking a booth in the Expo or becoming a sponsor.

Find out more