Student showcase to return in May

Game Republic will go ahead with its annual student showcase, after the regional games network had to save itself from a dry-up of public funding.

The event, which takes place in Leeds on May 24th, gets students to put their games and ideas under the eyes of the industry.

Game Republic’s studio partners, such as Sumo Digital, Just Add Water and Revolution Software, will be at the event to keep an eye on aspiring dev talent.

Last year’s event brought in over 80 students from the Yorkshire region, with 22 game projects on display.

Only academic institutions that are part of the Game Republic network can apply to attend the event.

Game Republic is a games industry network serving the Yorkshire region. Its members include Rockstar Leeds, Sumo Digital, Leeds Metropolitan University, Just Add Water and Four Door Lemon.

The Coalition Government’s decision to cut funding for key Regional Development Agencies had, in turn, meant that Game Republic lost all its public funding in March.

But the group fought through and re-established the network as a privately-funded entity, with members now paying.

Its Student Showcase takes place at Leeds Metropolitan University on Tuesday May 24th.

“The Game Republic Student Showcase is an essential annual event that strengthens the relationship between games companies and universities in the north,” said managing director Jamie Sefton.

“This year, with universities including Leeds Met, Sheffield Hallam and Bradford on board as full Educational Partners, it’s going to be an even bigger event.”