Charles Cecil MBE has been a key figure in the interactive entertainment industry for 40 years. Founder & CEO of Revolution Software, today one of the world’s leading adventure game companies, Charles has created numerous narrative-driven games including the multi-million selling Broken Sword series and Beneath a Steel Sky: the sequel, Beyond a Steel Sky, due for release in late 2019 is a lead title for Apple Arcade. Charles has worked on titles as diverse as The Da Vinci Code for Sony Pictures and Doctor Who for the BBC for which he won a BAFTA award. Charles, awarded the status of ‘Industry Legend’ by Develop (Europe’s leading development magazine) is on the Board of Governors of Screen Yorkshire, the regional agency that supports film, television and interactive entertainment in Yorkshire. In 2011 Charles was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to the computer games industry, and in 2019 was awarded an honorary Doctorate by the University of York. Charles has a particular interest in the narrative and aesthetic aspects of Interactive Narrative and how this medium will develop with advancing technology. Charles regularly talks at national and international conferences and to mainstream press about creative and commercial aspects of the video games industry.
Industry Legend Charles Cecil discusses the opportunities, as well as the challenges, of reinventing a classic adventure franchise. In designing ‘Beyond a Steel’ Sky’ the team set out to appeal both to the original fans of ‘Beneath a Steel Sky’ as well as a new generation of gamers. Charles will talk about how his team identified the core values of the original, and how they developed gameplay, narrative, and technical elements that respected the original, as well as delivering a cutting-edge modern adventure: the result is a game set in a unique world, populated by wilful characters driven by advanced AI, that responds to – and is subverted by – the player’s actions. In collaboration once again with Dave Gibbons, co-creator and artist behind the comic book ‘Watchmen’, ‘Beyond a Steel Sky’ evolves and redefines the adventure genre for Apple Arcade, PC and console.
Takeaway:
Develop:Brighton offers you an inspiring mix of top-notch speakers, practical how-to sessions, insights into the latest trends and technologies, plus fantastic networking opportunities. Find out about the different conference pass options and prices here or...
Register NowI 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
Develop:Brighton is especially unique - it’s by the seaside and there’s a lovely relaxed tone that goes with that.The talks are cool, the networking is cool and having the opportunity to catch up with people – that’s always the excitement for me!
Sean Murray
Hello Games
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
By coming to Develop what you get is the opportunity to network like you can’t in any other situation. Everyone knows everyone and it’s such a wonderful community feel.
Jessica Saunders
Salix Games
Develop is an excellent way of catching up with people – there’s a really nice community feel here.
Mike Bithell
Mike Bithell Games
I’ve been to every single Develop in the last 12 years. One thing you get here is networking - you will meet the most amazing individuals in the video games industry.
Kish Hirani
Terra Virtua
We are so lucky to have Develop here in the UK. It’s a unique event where you can come and discover new things with people who care passionately about video games. It’s a sea full of new ideas.
Jonathan Smith
TT Games
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
One of the things I like about Develop is it brings people together from across Europe and the whole world. There is a very high level of professionals here, so you have company leaders having drinks with juniors from their community.
Dr Mata Haggis-Burridge
NHTV
There’s really something for everyone at Develop and the experience of being around like-minded people is really useful.
Grace Carroll
Creative Assembly
There are many ways you can be part of Develop:Brighton - including taking a booth in the Expo or choosing one of the many sponsorship opporunities during the event or at the Star Awards.
Contact us now!