Leading Scottish games developer, 4J Studios, has given its support to the first ever Scottish Games Week, celebrating Scotland’s vibrant and thriving games ecosystem. The studio, best known for its work on the Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo versions of Minecraft, will be the title sponsor of the entire programme of events taking place in locations around Scotland from 24 to 28 October.
Scottish Games Week is a first-of-its-kind event created to highlight the talent and potential of Scotland’s pioneering and diverse games ecosystem. From design, development and publishing to education and application, the week will showcase games and their role as a key component in the growth of Scotland’s digital and creative economies – as well as the country’s future as a more inclusive digital society. The event will also act as a catalyst to support a more connected and collaborative games sector across Scotland, the UK and Internationally.
4J Studios was founded in 2005 by industry pioneers Chris van der Kuyl and Paddy Burns, who are vocal advocates of the sector and active supporters of several individuals and firms operating within it. Based in Dundee and East Linton, 4J Studios has also invested in other independent Scottish games development studios – Puny Astronaut, Stormcloud Games and Ant Workshop – through its investment arm Chroma Ventures.
Chris van der Kuyl, Chairman and Co-Founder at 4J Studios, said: “Scottish games companies have been incredibly successful to date, but we are part of a rapidly changing industry and if we are to build on that success we need to support each other and think internationally. We hope this inaugural Scottish Games Week will encourage that collaboration as well as raising the profile of the industry and its potential with other key Stakeholders.”
Brian Baglow, Founder of the Scottish Games Network and Director of Scottish Games Week, said: “The global games market smashed through the $200 billion barrier in 2022, making it far and away the largest creative industry – and on a par with the biggest digital sectors in the world. I truly believe Scotland can take advantage of this enormous ongoing growth and play an ever more significant role in this rapidly evolving interactive world.
“We are proud and delighted to welcome 4J Studios on board as the title sponsor for the whole of Scottish Games Week. The support and endorsement of the studio, founded by two of the country’s most successful games entrepreneurs is a huge boost to establishing an event we hope to make a regular feature of the global games calendar.
“We’re grateful for the support and encouragement of the 4J Studios team and can’t wait to get them involved in our incredible programme of events!”
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