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Some of the world’s most prominent independent game designers will gather in Scotland for a new collaborative celebration of the industry this Friday.
A diverse collection of game creators, artists, writers and curators will be in Dundee to take part in Arcadia, a brand new grassroots conference on independent games held in the city’s unique West Ward Works exhibition space.
Organised by Biome Collective and We Throw Switches, with support from Abertay University, the event brings together a wide range of figures for a day of talks and panels.
The conference comes as Abertay celebrates 20 years since becoming the first University in the world to offer computer games degrees, and a selection of former students will be on hand to discuss their own journeys into indie games design.
The day event is followed the same night by the Arcadia Warehouse Party, which will turn West Ward Works into a one-night only combination of live music, drinks and an incredible collection of independent games and related works.
Edinburgh DJ collective Main Ingredient and others will be providing the night's soundtrack, and exhibited games will feature artists and creators from around the world.The event ends on Saturday, with a relaxed day of workshops, boardgames and a LARP (Live Action Role Play).
The conference will explore aspects of the current indie game scene through a programme of talks and workshops.
Included on the bill will be members of the design team for the original Grand Theft Auto games, Brie Code of Tru Luv media, George Buckingham of Sensible Object, and Albert Elwin, who worked on critically-acclaimed titles like Killbox and Glitchspace.
Brie said: “I'm very much looking forward to coming to Scotland to learn more about the Scottish games scene.
“I'll be speaking about a revolution in game design based on care and characters and why I think care is not only more culturally relevant than violence but also more physiologically rewarding to many potential new players.
“I can't wait to discuss games of care with local devs.”
German indie game developer Robin Baumgarten, who creates experimental hardware controllers, and developer event organiser Vaida Plankyte are also lined up to speak.
Malath Abbas of Biome, one of Arcadia's organisers, said the event would bring together an array of industry experts who had lit the path for independent game production across Scotland and beyond.
He added: “Arcadia is about coming together to collaborate, share knowledge and learn new things, but above all it is to celebrate our global indie games community and showcase the fantastic work being produced.
“Whether you are already immersed in games, or just interested in play and digital creativity, our Arcadia speakers will have something for everyone.”
For more information visit and tickets visit www.arcadiadundee.com
Arcadia runs alongside THIS Festival, an exhibition of games at the same venue from September 7-10.