Develop August: Studio of the Year

Studio of the Year: This month’s issue recaps the winners of the 2017 Develop Awards, including Guerrilla Games who won Studio of the Year. We also get quotes from all of the winners and show off some lovely pictures from the pre-awards drinks reception. There’s also a roundup of the Develop Quiz the previous night.

Away from the awards, there’s a big focus on the future of the industry as we visit the Brains Eden student games festival in Cambridge (and give out an award), talk to the finalists of the Developing Beyond competition and we speak with the veteran developers trying new things in the PSVR exclusive game, Moss. All of this and more!

You can read this issue on your browser or mobile device here. If you’re not already subscribed to Develop, you can sign up for as little as £35 to ensure you receive your monthly look at global games development.

Got feedback? Are you a developer who wants to get involved with future issues? Feel free to email us at jalexander@nbmedia.com. (Ok, maybe dog gifs are too specific. I will accept gifs and pictures.)

Here’s a full overview of what to expect this month:

• Develop Awards 2017 Winners: All of the winners from this years Develop Awards, along with thoughts from the night and pictures from the pre-awards reception.
• Developing Beyond: The finalists have been chosen in the competition by Epic Games and the Wellcome Trust. Jem Alexander speaks to the finalists and showcases the three games made by the competitors.
• Working the Narrative: What is a narrative designer and how do you become one? Sean Cleaver finds out from industry experts.
• A Whole New World: Jem Alexander speaks to Playtec’s Chris Alderson about moving from Bungie to create the new PSVR exclusive, Moss.
• Brains Eden: Sean Cleaver visits the Cambridge-based student games festival and shares some insight on judging the entrants of the weekend’s game jam.
• 10 Years of VooFoo: To celebrate a decade in game development, Jem Alexander speaks to the Mantis Burn Racer developer about their history and what’s to come.
• Educating GameMakers: Jem Alexander talks with YoYo Games about the educational legacy for GameMaker Studio and how GMS 2 will build on it.
• Heard About: John Broomhall talks to Jethro Dunn from Codemasters about how they handled actor Brian Blessed during recordings for Micro Machines World Series.
• Opinion: Joining Jem and Sean to share their thoughts this month are YoYo Games’ James Cox on why making games should be fun, Writer Greg Buchanan and Linx Agency’s Benjamin Ryalls on why and when your project needs a narrative designer, and Florian Block and Andres Drachen on how data in esports can be made more accessible.
• Ask Amiqus: Business manager Liz Prince looks at how recruiters should handle hiring narrative designers and if your project needs one, or a would be better served with a writer.
• Recruiter Hot Seat: In the hot seat this month is Codemasters who are looking for new talent across the board.