Video games take centre stage at Paris 24

Paris' leap of faith: For those questioning the cultural legitimacy of video games, the Olympic opening ceremony may have provided the perfect answer. Many of us will have recognised the mysterious hooded figure and the nod to Arno Dorian of Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Unity. The character was seen parkouring over the Parisian rooftops, bearing the Olympic flame as they passed the city's famous landmarks. The ceremony was a bold celebration of modern culture intertwined with an appreciation of the city's history threaded together by one of the world's most iconic video game series.??

Latest Need to Know episode: We spoke to Emily Man from St James' Place about planning ahead for the long-term and talking about some of the key strategies for future proofing your own personal finances. Emily touches upon the importance of pensions, investments and personal tax planning and how thinking about the future, sooner rather than later, is an essential first step towards shoring up your financial wellbeing further down the line, no matter your circumstances. Check out the series.

In the news

???? Empower up: ?Every July,?the world celebrates Disability Pride Month.?It’s a time to recognise the contributions and achievements of disabled individuals,?challenge stereotypes,?and advocate for a more inclusive society.?But what exactly is Disability Pride,?and why is it important for everyone to be involved??

?? Playable Futures: Speech Graphics CEO Gregor Hofer on how games technology can deliver profound new impacts in healthcare.

Stories from industry

Emmy Awards nomination: Congratulations to Singer Studios’ debut VR game, The Pirate Queen with Lucy Liu, which has been nominated for an Emmy! This narrative adventure is among five VR experiences honoured with a nomination in this year’s Outstanding Emerging Media Program category. The team at Singer Studios are incredibly proud to be recognised alongside such innovative and creative work. Congratulations to the other nominees!

Campaign corner

Government Orders Curriculum Review: The Department of Education has announced a comprehensive Curriculum and Assessment Review, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE.?The Government seeks to develop a curriculum that strengthens foundations in reading, writing, and maths, while also enhancing creative, digital, and communication skills. Encouraging more creative subjects is a key policy ask in the Ukie manifesto.?A call for evidence will be launched in September, inviting contributions from experts, parents, teachers, and leaders. A national roadshow will also be conducted to gather insights from frontline staff. The review’s recommendations are expected to be published in 2025.

Industry events - July

Tuesday 30th July:?A one-day in-person workshop in the Ukie office led by Leadership Trainer Andy Coley from Game Studio Leadership Training that provides game development professionals with the essential skills needed for effective leadership in the gaming industry. FREE for Ukie members, using discount code: "UKIEMEMBER". Sign up here.

August

Friday 9th August: Game Dev Local (GDL) is a community that aims to connect game developers in London and the surrounding area.?#GDLX24 is happening this year on August 9th at the Barclays HQ in Canary Wharf. Get ready to discover a treasure trove of indie games and meet the passionate developers behind them! There will be talks, panels, and roundtable discussions, led by industry experts on a wide range of topics, including game design, programming, art, and sound. Get your tickets here.

Monday 19th August: Join Ukie members Xsolla and their partners for a fun-filled analog game night at devcom in Cologne on Monday, 19th August. Play with fellow game enthusiasts, meet great people, and socialize early ahead of gamescom! More here.