Call to back GameChangers initiative to bolster region’s video game talent

A new initiative to develop the next generation of video game creators has been unveiled by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

It brings together studios, educators and industry organisations.

Games studios, including Avalanche Studios Group, D3T, Lucid Games, Ripstone, Scenegraph Studios, Skyhook Games, Universally Speaking, Firesprite and Wushu Studios, have already signed a pledge committing to working together to develop local games talent.

These studios have been bolstered by educational and charity institutions such as NextGen Skills and the LFC Foundation.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Our area is home to a burgeoning digital and creative sector that supports thousands of SMEs, jobs and training opportunities, and generates millions for our local economy, too.

“Fortunately, we have some of the best universities and colleges on our doorstep that can help us to attract and retain the graduates and trainees with the creativity and skills to shape the future of the sector.

“GameChangers is our pledge to support the next generation of video game creators, to nurture their imagination and fresh ideas, and ensure that together, we can take one of our fastest-growing industries to the next level.”

Gill Walsh, strategic careers hub lead at the Liverpool City Region Careers Hub, said: “This is such a fantastic initiative. Inspiring our young people about the possibilities open to them in the world of work is the foundation of what we do at the Careers Hub, and the Gamechangers will play an important part of the work we do.

“With a gaming heritage that contributes approximately £50m annually to the local economy we know that there is a significant demand for talent within the ever-growing video game industry in Liverpool City Region.

“The GameChangers skills pledge signifies a commitment not only from us, but more importantly from the gaming industry itself to showcase this exciting industry to our young people ensuring its ongoing expansion and a bright future.”

Cllr Ian Maher, portfolio holder for employment, education and skills, said: “We have a rich gaming heritage in Liverpool City Region and a significant demand exists for additional talent within this growing video game industry. However, there is a shortage of candidates applying to fill the many roles that are on offer.

“That is why it is fantastic to see such an inspiring initiative from the region’s gaming studios to help address the local talent shortage and inspire our future generations to come.”

Jamie Brayshaw, chair of GameChangers and head of marketing at Ripstone, said: “Collaboration is the cornerstone of the GameChangers mission.

“Many studios and organisations are doing great work individually to support talent, but together we are more than the sum of our parts. We firmly believe that pooling our collective resources and passion will increase awareness of games as a viable career, remove barriers to entry and usher in a new era of trailblazing game development in Liverpool City Region.”

GameChangers is calling on all studios,universities, charitable organisations and industry bodies in the Liverpool City Region to pledge themselves to the partnership. The details of the pledge will be outlined on September 28, at the GameChangers launch event being held at Nova Scotia, Mann Island on the Liverpool Waterfront.

The Gamechangers programme is being delivered by All About Futures/All About STEM on behalf of the Liverpool City Region Careers Hub.