Interface: The story so far

So, you’ve seen our stories and updates: Interface is coming on May 14th.

We’ve got lots of businesses signed up, and will have influential speakers for workshops, great new games on show and publishers ready to sign new titles.

But if you haven’t got a completely clear picture of what the event will be like, this guide is for you.

WHAT IS INTERFACE?

Interface is a brand new event for developers to showcase their games, find investors and partners, and pitch ideas.

Interface is a day-long interactive content marketplace that will bring together a spectrum of games industry execs.

The event will include demo zones and pitching areas, breakout sessions and a live stage.

Interface is open to all – developers of all sizes, publishers, investors, platform holders and technology firms, whether they are on console, mobile, online or other interactive platforms – in order to create a vibrant marketplace of games content.

WHEN IS IT?

Interface will take place on May 14th. Doors open at 10am and we close at 5pm.

WHERE IS IT?

Candid Arts Trust, 3-5 Torrens Street, London, EC1V 1NQ.

Candid Arts is a creative space for artists located in two Victorian warehouses totalling 23,000 square feet.

Interface at Candid Arts is split across three floors – the ground and first floor galleries for exhibitor space and networking, plus a second floor cafe lounge and banquet hall for breakout areas and teaching sessions, a live stage and more.

WHAT’S THE FORMAT OF THE DAY?

There are two main exhibition floors.

The ground floor is our open expo area, and includes game demo zones and open stands for bigger exhibitors, plus the indie demo zone.

The first floor will host private areas for pitches and meetings.

Alongside all that, we have a live stage featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops, all featured around our key themes of pitching games, scoring finance and getting a publishing deal.

Up on the second floor of the venue, the Interface Cafe and Lounge offers a quiet place for other meetings – or just a relaxing break for a coffee.

Key to the day is theInterface Meeting System, which connects studios and new games with potential publishers and investors – you register for the system (either as a delegate with a pitch or a meeting host) and we arrange your schedule for you.

HOW CAN I REGISTER?

You can register for almost all of the tickets and booths at www.interface.events– contact Conor Tallon on ctallon@nbmedia.com or call 01992 535 647 to talk about bigger expo space or sponsorships.

HOW DOES THE MEETING SYSTEM WORK?

If you sign up, shortly before the event we’ll be in touch to ask what kinds of companies you want to see and/or what kind of product/service you are showing.

We’ll then build a bespoke meeting schedule of up to 10 introductory appointments based on your requirements.

Meetings will last around 15 minutes each.

Schedules will be waiting for you on arrival on the morning of the day itself.

WHO IS INVOLVED SO FAR?

There are currently over 70 games firms confirmed to be involved. These include:

• Delegates include company founders, A&R folk, and leaders from the likes of: Aniode, Abyssal Arts, Altered Gene, Butcherlab, Contact Sales, Ground Shatter, Hybrid Tech, I Fight Bears, Liz Holliday Writing Services, Mbryonic, MHT Game, Mudvark, Navatron, NWMedia, PixelBits, Playrise Digital, Pixelbits, QuizTix, Semaeopus, Studio Pepwuper, tbmics, The Great Unwashed, The third moon, Triangular Pixels, Twistplay, Unreasonably Good Software, and Wave 1.

• The following publishers and developers are registered for the private meetings element of the day: 505 Games, Ant Workshop, Antstream, Bottlerocket, Deuce, Freekstorm, Green Man Loaded, Mogworks, Pollen VC, Rising Star , Spiral House, Spiral House, Temple Games, Tilting Point, Total Eclipse, and Wedu Games.

• We also have indie space exhibitors including: Grey Wizard, Geraldo Nasciemento and Grandline Studios.

• A curatedIndie Zonepresented by Unitywill welcome a further 10 studios and their games to the event. More details on that 10 studios soon.

• Elsewhere, bigger firms such as Green Man Loaded and Indio Pearl will be exhibiting to tell potential partners about their games publishing solutions for games developers. Green Man Loaded is the publishing label spin-off of Green Man Gaming, while Indigo Pearl will be talking about its code distribution service for self-publishing studios.

• Pollen VC is signed up to sponsor our live stage. The firm will be offering up key advice on scoring investment – and is on hand throughout the day to talk one-on-one with attendees.

• We’re currently putting finishing touches to our live-stage schedule, including the exciting keynote speakers and incisive panelists.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

INDIE STUDIO:Studios of four staff or less can register for the FREE Expo and Caf Pass, pay 49 to take part in the Interface Meeting System, or book an Indie Demo Expo Space for just 179.

BIGGER STUDIO:Teams of five or more staff can register for an Expo and CafPass (20), take part in the Interface Meeting System (149) or take a Standard Demo Space for 399.

PUBLISHER OR INVESTOR:Why not host a series of Interface Meetings? Tabletop costs are 499. Or take a premium stand (which includes Meeting System access) – packages available on request.

Visit the www.interface.events microsite to register for any of the above.

WHAT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE?

There are lots of ways to get involved as a bigger sponsor or backer – with a range of options to suit all kinds of budgets.

Interface is a great cost-effective way to reach what is shaping up to be an event including close to 150 different UK games businesses.

Contact Conor Tallon on ctallon@nbmedia.com or call 01992 5353 647 to find out more.

WHY LAUNCH THIS EVENT NOW?

Indie developers, investors and those looking to sign new and existing games – or find new partners for interactive and games projects – have all told us there is still a need in the UK games landscape for a content marketplace where they can meet up and find partners.

With the hugely creative and vibrant indie scene still growing in the UK, plus tax breaks supporting content, we see Interface as a great chance to help many creators take the next step towards finding a partner for their current or next project.

Bringing together this audience also creates a great place for freelancers, contractors, service companies and others looking for contracts to meet potential clients.

Interface wants to help introduce developers to investors and publishers who might sign or fund your current game – or your next one.

Likewise, we want to help those looking to find new and existing games or companies they can publish, fund or bundle.

HOW ARE YOU MAKING THIS ACCESSIBLE TO INDIES?

Two ways: by making things affordable and offering them as many opportunities to make new contacts, as well as getting some free training about games funding and more.

Basic entry to the event is free for companies of up to four staff. They can register for a ticket, have a look around and watch the live-stage.

For indies, tickets for the Interface Meeting System are just 49+VAT each. That is cheaper than any other event out there, and promises you introductions to new partners – at least 10 decent introductory meetings in one day.

We’ve also got affordable demo spaces available for 179, which includes a demo table, power point for your equipment and signage that we can produce (you supply the artwork) – but that you can keep. That price includes involvement in the Interface Meeting System, too.

You can register for any of that at www.interface.events.

I’M A JOURNALIST. CAN I ATTEND?

You definitely can.

Our demo zones will offer you the chance to see new, existing and unsigned games – you might just see the next big hit before it becomes famous, or you might be the person to help your readers discover it.

Our breakout sessions and live stage (hosted by the MCV and Develop editorial teams) will also offer plenty of editorial value and insight.

Press registration is free, although spaces are limited – put your name down here: www.interface.events.

THIS FAQ DOESN’T ANSWER MY QUESTION – WHAT DO I DO?

Any other questions, send them to the Interface team –interface@nbmedia.com, or call 01992 515 303.