Unmissable Develop:Brighton 2023 Sessions

The Develop:Brighton conference is set to return next week, featuring a plethora of talks, panels, and roundtables from industry experts. We've scoured the schedule to bring you the most exciting sessions, taking place at the Hilton Brighton Metropole from Tuesday, July 11 to Thursday, July 13. Be sure to check out the full program for more information. If you haven't already, you can still register for your passes – GamesIndustry.biz readers can use the code QNDTYD to receive an additional 10% discount. Here are the highlights for the upcoming week: ID@Xbox: The Indie Revolution 9.45am - 10.45am / Room 1 The conference's opening keynote will feature ID@Xbox boss Chris Charla, discussing the factors that make indie games stand out and Microsoft's collaboration with studios in this space. The AI Conundrum: Tech, Morality, and Ethics 12pm - 12.45pm / Room 5 This open discussion, hosted by DeepMind's Jennie Lees and Ollie Purkiss, will explore the implications of AI in game development. Attendees are invited to participate or simply listen to the conversation. Debunking Game Development Myths 2pm - 2.45pm / Room 3 GamesIndustry.biz editor-in-chief James Batchelor will lead a session that challenges conventional wisdom about the future of game development. Guest developers will share their thoughts on what's not the future of games. The Future of Mobile Gaming 3pm - 3.45pm / Room 2 Mobilegamer.biz founder Neil Long will host a panel discussing the future of the games industry's largest market. The panel features Ustwo Games' Danny Gray, Mag Interactive's Alice Bowman, and Flick Games' Ian Masters. Launch Ready: Overcoming Games-as-a-Service Challenges 5pm - 5.45pm / Room 2 Hi-Rez Studios' Veronique Lallier and Stephen Hutchins will share tests and strategies for preparing games-as-a-service for release, helping studios determine when their title is launch-ready. Guerrilla Games: A Journey to New Horizons 9.45am - 10.45am / Room 1 A fireside chat with Guerrilla Games' leadership, including Angie Smets, Jan-Bart van Beek, and Michiel van der Leeuw, will reflect on the studio's journey from Killzone to creating blockbuster AAA IPs. The Government's Role in the Games Industry 12pm - 12.45pm / Room 6 UKIE's Dan Wood will provide an update on government regulations and incentives, including debates on loot boxes, online safety, and video game tax relief. AI in Game Development: Job Security and Efficiency 2pm - 2.45pm / Room 3 Tinybuild CEO Alex Nichiporchik will discuss the publisher's use of AI to improve efficiency and gauge community sentiment, as well as the potential impact on the industry's workforce. Creating a Positive Game Development Community 4pm - 4.45pm / Room 5 This roundtable, hosted by Psyop's Mick Morris and Skillfull's Gina Jackson, will explore ways to stamp out unacceptable behavior at events and promote a positive community. Real-Time Pitch Review 5pm - 5.45pm / Room 1 Communications coach Jon Torrens will invite developers to pitch their game, providing real-time feedback on how to improve. Crafting Richer Gameplay Narratives 10am - 10.45am / Room 1 Inkle founder Jon Ingold will discuss how developers can create replayable narratives, drawing on examples from 80 Days and Heaven's Vault. Overcoming Challenges in Creating New IPs 11.15am - 12pm / Room 2 Josh and Mike Grier of Ember Lab will reflect on the obstacles they faced in launching a new IP, from world creation to marketing and promotion. Demystifying Public Funding for Game Studios 12.15pm - 1pm / Room 6 Experts from the UK Games Fund, Creative UK, Northern Ireland Screen, and the BFI/UK Global Screen Fund will offer advice on accessing public funding and answer developers' questions. Common Mistakes When Pitching to the Press 2pm - 2.45pm / Room 6 Rachel MacPherson of Neonhive will share tips and tricks for getting media attention, based on common mistakes studios have made in the past. From Young Game Designer to BAFTA Winner 4pm - 4.45pm / Room 4 Alfie Wilkinson, winner of the 2022 BAFTA Young Game Designer contest, will discuss his game and talk game design with Roll7's John Ribbins and Ustwo Games' Emily Brown.