How Tayside’s gaming sector became serious business - the story of one of Scotland's most successful digital sectors
09 June 2023
Good afternoon and welcome to the weekly Futurescot Newsletter, keeping you up-to-date with news and analysis across the public technology and innovation sector.?
In our lead story today, we bring you news of a much-overlooked digital success story. Dundee's gaming sector continues to thrive with a cluster of 40 companies developing globally-leading games, including one that has had 160 million downloads. Thanks to all our delegates who came to DigitalScotland:Tayside on Thursday to hear about the region's powerhouse tech sectors, including cyber and life sciences.
Read those pieces in full below and check out our other stories from the week.
If you have news or a story get in touch at?[email protected]?or send a tweet or DM to?@futurescot_news,?and?don't forget to share with colleagues.
GAMING
How Tayside’s gaming sector became serious business
Few people in Scotland have built tech firms that have had global success, but Chris van der Kuyl is one of them. As founder and chairman of 4J Studios, he helped bring the hugely popular video game Minecraft to consoles, a title that continues to sell millions of copies worldwide every year. MORE?
DIGITAL ECONOMY
Turning the Tay Cities Region into a digital innovation hub
The tech sector is a key and growing element of the Tay Cities Region – the region saw a 10.6 per cent increase in Digital/Tech employment between 2015 and 2020, among the highest-growing throughout Scotland, with more than 700 firms counted within the digital/tech sector within the region, ranging from major employers to SMEs.?MORE?
Upcoming events
Keep an eye on our?events page?for updates to our webinars and conferences.?
Digital Justice & Policing:?7 November 2023, Technology & Innovation Centre, Glasgow.?Click here to book now
DigitalScotland Summit:?21?November 2023, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh.?Click here to book now
GAMING
Games developer quit job and set up own studio after stunning success of ‘comedy horror’ title
A games developer was able to quit his job and set up his own studio after the stunning success of a comedy horror game that has now had over 160 million downloads.?Greg Lee worked for the renowned Rockstar North before dabbling in his spare time on a babysitting simulator, where you have to look after baby who is also a monster ‘trying to kill you’.?MORE?
Budding games developers try out new ideas at digital graduate show in Dundee
Abertay University, one of the jewels in the crown of the Scottish tech ecosystem, established the world’s first video games degrees in 1997. Since then, the university in Dundee has churned out thousands of students who have gone on to fill vacancies at some of the best computer games companies on the planet.?It has also helped stimulate the local ecosystem, with 40 gaming companies in the city region alone.?MORE?
CYBER
Effective cyber investments in the face of challenging headwinds
Partner Content: “The starting point must be that every British company is a target, that every British network will be attacked, and that cybercrime is not something that happens to other people.”?Setting out to make cybersecurity the UK’s top priority in 2015 the then-Chancellor George Osbourne would have been dejected to see, had he glimpsed into his ministerial crystal ball, that today we face far greater and more sophisticated cyberattacks with 43 per cent of all those taking place in Europe targeting British-based organisations, and our public sector proving most vulnerable.?MORE?
AI
Scottish biometrics commissioner backs proposal for four nation summit on AI
Scotland’s biometrics commissioner has backed a proposal to host a summit on the regulatory implications of AI among the four UK home nations.?Dr Brian Plastow says the deployment of artificial intelligence technologies presents ‘acute ethical challenges’ to regulators, which need “joined-up”, “coherent UK thinking”.?MORE?
VR
Scottish virtual reality courtroom ‘familiarisation’ tech showcased at Berlin conference
A virtual reality pilot project that ‘familiarises’ victims and witnesses with Scottish courtrooms before giving evidence in person was showcased at a European tech conference. The immersive technology developed for Victim Support Scotland – as part of a government CivTech Challenge – got an outing at the Victim Support Europe (VSE) Conference in Berlin.?MORE?
CONNECTIVITY
‘Pop-up’ hub showcases 5G technology in the Highlands
A ‘pop-up’ hub demonstrating next generation mobile connectivity has been deployed to a campus facility in the Highlands.?The Scotland 5G Centre’s first network service is delivering access to advanced connectivity technology in towns and communities in the Highlands and Islands.?MORE?
HEALTH
NHS Scotland staff urged to submit innovation ideas to support pregnant women and new mothers
NHS Scotland staff have been urged to submit their ideas for new innovations to develop pioneering treatments for pregnant women and new mothers.?InnoScot Health – the healthcare innovation agency – is calling on healthcare professionals to promote and support good child and maternal health.?MORE?
BRIEFINGS?
Eight Scottish firms travel to Money 20/20 fintech conference in Amsterdam
Eight Scottish firms travelled to Money 20/20 – the leading European fintech conference – in Amsterdam this week.?Supported by Scottish Development International and FinTech Scotland, the companies took part in the event to raise their profile among international buyers and investors.?MORE??
Ten Scottish climate tech firms to take part in investor showcase in London
Ten Scottish climate tech companies will travel to London next week to participate in an investor showcase event.?Firms ranging from agri-tech businesses to startups using low earth orbit satellites and sensors will visit the capital for the June 13 event at ‘Scotland House’ on Victoria Embankment.?MORE?
PUBLIC SECTOR IT CONTRACTS?
Dumfries and Galloway council award digital platform contract
Dumfries and Galloway council has awarded a ￡139,000 contract to Plymouth-based GOSS Interactive to develop its digital platform.?MORE?
CivTech awards ￡750,000 contract to develop more inclusive public services?
CivTech - the Scottish Government's innovation accelerator - has awarded a ￡750,000 contract to Reading-based digital firm Insights Driven to develop more inclusive public services.?MORE?
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