PinG aims to put Peterborough on UK games map
Computer games initiative launches with in-person event at ARU Peterborough
A new initiative is set to supercharge Peterborough’s indie games sector by building a connected computer games development community in and around the city.
Established in partnership with ARU Peterborough, People in Games (PinG) aims to grow the local games ecosystem by bringing together students, developers, creatives and industry professionals.
The first free in-person PinG meetup will take place on Monday, 9 March (6pm) at ARU Peterborough. These quarterly events will run alongside fortnightly online sessions that are already connecting creators across the region.
PinG’s mission is to bring the community together, build skills, support innovation and help local talent develop their careers in the industry. The longer-term ambition is to position Peterborough more prominently on the UK games map.
UK consumers spend over £7.5 billion annually on video games and the games sector is set to play an important role in the UK’s new Modern Industrial Strategy.
A report last year from the trade association TIGA showed that the games industry supports over 73,000 jobs in the UK, including around 28,000 developers, and contributes £2.2 billion in tax revenues.
ARU Peterborough already supports the next generation of talent through both the BSc (Hons) degree in Game Design and Development and BSc (Hons) degree in Game Design and Digital Art courses, co-designed with employers to ensure students gain industry-ready skills in programming, testing, immersive experience creation and interactive storytelling.
Umar Ijaz of Peterborough-based Agapo Games and co-founder of PinG said:
“People in Games is about building Peterborough’s grassroots indie games ecosystem.
“By connecting developers, students, and creatives, we’re creating a space where ideas can be shared, skills can grow, and early-stage studios can get the support they need to thrive. This is the start of a long-term effort to put Peterborough more visibly on the UK games map.”
Name, roleJamie Myland, Senior Lecturer Practitioner in Computer Games Technologies at ARU Peterborough and co-founder of PinG, said:
“The games industry has seen phenomenal growth, with the value of game sales more than doubling in the UK since 2013.
“But it’s not all about the large game design studios, as 78% of UK studios employ four or fewer people. That’s why we hope PinG can make such a difference locally, by offering training, networking and support to help indie developers in Peterborough thrive.”
For more information about the first meetup and how to get involved, visit: https://peopleingames.eventbrite.com
ARU Peterborough is a partnership between Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Peterborough City Council and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.