UKIE targets developer events

New-look trade body UKIE is to sponsor both the Develop Quiz and Develop Football Challenge.

Formerly known as ELSPA, the Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE) was officially launched last night (Tuesday September 7th) at a reception in London.

The change of name reflects the diversity of the current membership and signals a move towards meeting the demands of an evolving software business.

UKIE is sponsoring the Develop Quiz and Develop Football Challenge to meet and network with development companies and their staff.

The Develop Quiz is a high profile event with over 20 teams competing and 200 top developers attending. UKIE is sponsoring the night alongside Big Head Games and Deep Silver. It takes place on Wednesday September 29th at Sway, Holborn , London.

Other companies fighting it out on the night include Rocksteady, FireFly, HotGen, Splash Damage. Blitz, Spov, Wonderland, Centroid, Maverick, Playfire, Jagex and Vertical Slice

There is currently one team slot left. Contact Kathryn.Humphrey@intentmedia.co.uk for more information.

The Develop Football Challenge, meanwhile, is making its debut at the Barnet Powerleague in London on Friday October 8th. This will see at least 16 teams from studios and service companies battle it out to win trophies.

The tournament is being sponsored by SuperMassive Games’ Big Match Striker and UKIE.

Teams already signed up include Exient, Sumo Digital, Sports Interactive, Bright Light, Testology, Crytek, The Creative Assembly, Jagex and Testronic.

For more information on how to put a team into the tournament click here.

"We are delighted to have UKIE working with these two essential development events. A big part of the business is about networking and it is fantastic that the trade body should consider getting out there and meeting the developers as a key part of its remit going forward," commented Develop editor-in-chief Michael French.

For more information about how you can get involved with UKIE contact Sam.collins@elspa.com.