Record numbers expected at Gamebridge festival
Students from 56 universities and colleges will head to ARU for games industry event
A student using the new games development facilities at ARU's Cambridge campus
Gamebridge, one of the UK’s leading student-focused games festivals, is returning to Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge on Saturday, 27 June – and this year promises to be bigger than ever.
Organised by ARU in collaboration with educators and developers, the annual festival brings together students with industry professionals for a day dedicated to showcasing new talent and forging careers in the games sector.
A record number of attendees – more than 420 students from 56 different universities and colleges from across the UK – have already registered this year, underlining Gamebridge’s increasing importance in an industry that has seen significant growth in recent years.
Figures from trade body Ukie show UK consumer spending on the wider video game sector totalled almost £8.8 billion last year, up 7.4% on 2024. The industry now employs more than 73,000 people across the country.
Gamebridge gives students direct access to recruiters and professional mentors, and this year’s festival will feature 38 games companies including Frontier Developments, Jagex, Rebellion Developments, Airship Interactive, Dlala Studios, VGM and Snappy Gurus.
Students will be able to take part in more than 150 industry one-to-one portfolio reviews and career chats, providing direct feedback from professionals working across game design, development and interactive media.
More than 100 student-created games and art projects will be showcased during the festival, displayed across a range of interactive platforms, and over £5,000 in prizes will be awarded to recognise outstanding student work.
ARU is a leading hub for creative industries education. Earlier this month, ARU officially opened new £2.5 million games development facilities at its Cambridge campus, reinforcing its commitment to developing future talent and strengthening links with the UK games sector.
“Gamebridge continues to grow as a meeting point between education and industry. ARU plays a pivotal role in providing opportunities to connect young people and employers, ensuring the UK games industry has a skilled talent pipeline. The level of participation this year shows how much demand there is for accessible, high-quality opportunities like this.”
Dr Heather Lilley, Head of the Cambridge School of Creative Industries at ARU
“Gamebridge brings together students from universities and colleges across the country to showcase their work and demonstrate the strength of emerging games talent. The combination of feedback, networking and meaningful recognition through prizes is a powerful driver for students to continue developing their skills and ambition.”
Gamebridge Trustee Michael Farrow-Killick, Games Development Course Lead and Lecturer at Cambridge Regional College