‘Everyone can find their own favourite game’

The doors of Bristol Games Hub on Stokes Croft were recently flung open, giving visitors a feel for Bristol’s gaming community as well as showcasing just some of the new game releases being worked on by local game studies.

The Hub is home to a diverse range of freelancers, from games developers and animators to artists and musicians, as well as some of city’s leading games companies including Auroch Digital.

Inside, the Hub was full of people keen to show off their games, which were in various states of development. James Parker, a director at Ground Shatter and co-director of first-person shooter Rico, stood by and watched as a pair of guys on a comfortable leather sofa picked up a controller to give the game a try.

“Bristol Games Hub is a nice environment for game developers,” James told Bristol24/7. “Being here is an opportunity to expand their talents and offer their skills.”

Newly-released games were available for gaming enthusiasts to try out

In a different corner, James Wood demonstrated the fun teamwork game he has helped develop, Phogs! from Bit Loom Games. It’s an interactive game that revolves around what James refers to as “a big stretchy dog”, with two people playing with only one controller, one player controlling one end and one player the other end.

The art is cute and cartoonish, harking back to childhood memories. The game is meant to be “warm and cosy” James says, adding that he thinks everyone could enjoy this easy, fun and experimental game.

Connie, who works on marketing for RICO, playing Phogs!

Mike Daw, a producer at Auroch Digital, is working on Mars Horizon, a ground-breaking game about space missions, diplomacy and history.

“It’s a historically and scientifically accurate game,” he explains. “Everything in the game is based on real events in the history of space travel.”

The game, which is still under development and will be available from early 2019, hinges on risk: should you postpone the launch day due to bad weather and risk your public image taking a hit, or launch anyway and risk an explosion and losing even greater amount of money?

Mike Daw with his Mars Horizon game, due to launch in early 2019

One corner of the Games Hub was painted purple with PQube branding and pull banners showing anime characters that appear in the Japanese video games that come out of this production house.

Games of all different genres were on offer, from the weird yet fun Nippon Marathon where up to four players run from one side of the city to another dodging obstacles, to feline RPG Cat Quest and Dark Souls-like defence games. PQube is looking to diversify and release Western games in the future as well.

Michael Fisher works for PQube and has enjoyed a three-month stay at Bristol Games Studio. “The games industry is big and growing, which makes it highly competitive, especially to games publishing companies,” Michael says.

“Even indie games have grown so explosively that even consumers find it harder to keep up with everything. It’s going to be interesting to see what will explode next.”

The best tip he says he can give anyone trying to break into the industry is to “not be afraid to reach out to people”, and others at Bristol Games Hub also emphasised that making connections, talking to people and going to meet-ups does help create better teams. It’s a chance to both gain valuable experience along with inspiration.

PQube has introduced the craze of Japanese video gaming to the Bristol community

The Games Hub residents often had the same advice for aspiring game and publishing developers: just start making games. And then finish them. “People like it when you finish stuff!” laughs Auroch Digital’s Mike Daw.

In this digital age, it is simple to find websites and tutorials that teach you how to create a game. Hhowever, it takes effort, patience and passion to get into the gaming industry and show your talent.

“In Bristol, in general, there is a push towards new, exciting games,” says Phogs! developer James Woods, making it the perfect place for small gaming companies and creative individuals to gather and work together.

Bristol Games Hub, and the wider city, is full of supportive and enthusiastic game lovers and developers, allowing everyone to find their own favourite game.