​#RaiseTheGame and Liverpool Game-Dev Network would love to invite you to our afternoon event where we're be chatting to fantastic local industry professionals about what indie game development is like in Liverpool, and exploring the importance of authenticity in the workplace; especially when considering retaining women and other talent in the the games industry.

​This event aims to spotlight Liverpool's Game Development scene through the lens of founders and leaders who are directly creating the impact that is putting Liverpool on the map across the wider industry.

​The following industry professionals joining us as speakers for this event include:

​Alex Moretti

​Alex is the CEO and co-founder of Fallen Planet Studios, an independent developer and publisher focused solely on XR games and experiences since 2014.

​Fallen Planet Studios has released titles on to all major VR headsets as well as developing additional revenue streams through the licensing of their original AFFECTED IP.

​Alex has led Fallen Planet Studios through various fundraising initiatives spanning debt-based investment, equity raises, government grants and publisher funding.

​Alison Lacy

​A varied career, reflects that Alison goes where her curiosity leads her and where she can have a positive impact, as well as the fact that a degree in Art History doesn't qualify you for anything specific!

​She's primarily driven by a desire to support creative teams establish and sustain successful outcomes in a happy and healthy environment. Starting out as an art dealer and gallerist, a fascination for team performance led to a training consultancy specialising in training leaders in the manufacturing sector and a great deal of learning. Her first role in the games industry was with Sony Computer Entertainment's Evolution Studios as a senior producer bringing transferable skills of project management, facilitation, and a developing understanding of team performance. On DriveClub, Alison was also responsible for licensing every car in the game which ultimately led to a role at Bentley Motors HQ, developing their luxury licensing business, being responsible for global partnerships and licensing, and increasing profits more than 300% over 6 years.

​Returning to the games industry in 2020, Alison joined Avalanche Studio Group to help establish their Liverpool Studio. She is the Co-Chair of GameChangers and a Board Member of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's Digital & Creative Cluster Board. She spends her spare time ideally curled up reading fiction or trying to keep fit in body and mind to offset a strong interest in good food, nice wine, and stimulating conversation.

​Chloe Sinclair

​Chloe Sinclair is an award-winning, dynamic professional in the games industry who is driven by creating success in the initiatives and organisations that she is invested in. Working as an EDI Specialist for Fresh Seed, and Engagement Manager for Climax Studios, Chloe is passionate about creating positive environments and inclusive spaces that support the continuous growth within the video game industry.

​Clemens Wangerin

​Clemens Wangerin is a games and innovation expert with over 30 years of games industry experience in product development, studio management, business development, and scaling ventures. As consultant, he provides strategic insights to software developers, publishers, and investors worldwide, specialising in the games and digital sector. His expertise spans across VR/AR, product innovation, and digital entertainment. In addition to running his own advisory business, he's a member of BAFTA, the LCR Games Board and LCR Innovation Board, and a Director of Baltic Creative CIC.

​David Harper

​Co-founder and Managing Director of Skyhook Games, a UK based art outsourcing and game company serving the computer games industry.

​A team leader approaching 30 years in the computer games industry. A former 3D artist, Lead artist and outsource manager for 20 years, now head of bus dev and creative direction for Skyhook Games.

​Hannah Wright

​Hannah Wright is a Recruitment Partner at Recruitment Heroes. She helps games and outsourcing studios, co-developers and publishers navigate the dynamic world of recruitment, saving them time and money.

​Her true passion? Levelling up the games industry, especially when it comes to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). When Hannah is not matching top talent with their dream jobs, you can find her hosting OnLive Games on LinkedIn Live, where Hannah dishes out industry insights and share experiences to help make the gaming world a better place—one stream at a time!

​Jonathan Holmes

​Jonathan is the CEO of UK based Milky Tea Studios. He co-founded the company in Liverpool in 2005 and has overseen the studios transition from a ‘work for hire’ Creative Production Company into a fully-fledged Game Development Studio.

​Over the years, the studio has built up an international reputation for its creative quality and has successfully worked on projects with renowned companies such as Apple, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Atari, and Lloyds Banking Group - to name a few. During his career at Milky Tea, Jonathan has overseen investment rounds with global technology giant Tencent in 2017 and more recently the Aonic collective in 2022.

​In 2010, Jonathan pivoted the business to focus on game development including the creation of original IP’s; subsequently, the studio had two of its games shortlisted by BAFTA. Jonathan directed the studios latest game project HyperBrawl Tournament, which was a launch title for the Apple Arcade gaming platform in 2019. On the back of its success, Jonathan oversaw the company’s first ever record deal with Sony Records; collaborating with legendry music producer Steve Levine on the game’s synthwave original soundtrack. More recently, Jonathan and his team recently announced they are working on a new real-time tactics roguelite game titled Grit and Valor 1949; which will be coming to PC and Console in 2025.

​Liz Prince

​Liz Prince is the Business Manager of Amiqus, the multi award-winning recruitment specialist in the games industry. She has been a recruiter for 30 years. Starting out in 1994, originally a Computer Science grad who came into Tech recruitment in the early 90's and moved into Games and Amiqus in 2005.

​Liz is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion across the sector, playing her part through G Into Gaming, a pro bono initiative to drive more diversity and promote gender balance in the games industry that launched in 2018.

​This was followed last year with the launch, alongside #RaiseTheGame - Powered by Ukie, of Empower Up, a comprehensive platform that offers step-by-step guides, articles, news, and other resources to help games companies and individuals alike become more diverse, inclusive, and equitable; access to better understand and embed inclusive best practices into their day-to-day work.

​Liz is also honoured to be an Ambassador for Special Effect and a proud Women in Games Ambassador.

​Louise Andrew

​Louise Andrew is the Head of Art at d3t and at Coconut Lizard, two UK Keywords co-development studios.

​Coming from a background in traditional fine art, she has worked as an Artist in the games industry for 23 years, leading large teams of artists, from all disciplines, on a wide variety of games and platforms from the Nintendo DS through to the PS5 and she is credited on over 20 published titles.

​She now heads up a team of 50 Artists and Animators, working on AAA projects with world class clients and is passionate about creating game dev cultures where artists thrive.

​We are excited to host this opportunity and hope you will be able to join us for it 😊

​If you have questions, take a look below at our frequently asked questions (FAQs), and if you have a different question in mind not answered, please do get in touch!

​FAQs:

• ​Are there accessibility considerations in place at the event?

  • ​Yes, ONE FINE DAY are a wheelchair friendly, accessible venue for both their event and Little LEAF entrances. The only area of the venue that is not accessible is their mezzanine level which we won't be using as part of our event.

• ​Will there be free drinks and food on offer at the event?

  • ​There will be refillable coffee/tea/water available to attendees of the event. If you would like alternative beverages or snacks, the venue does have a bar where these can be purchased separately.

• ​Will there be time to network at the event?

  • ​The event is planned to focus mainly on the panels we're hosting, yet there will be time to network with others upon arrival and before the end of the event.

• ​Are students & freelancers welcome to the event?

  • ​Absolutely, both #RaiseTheGame and Liverpool Game-Dev Network strive to ensure our events are inclusive, impactful and welcome people from different backgrounds to attend by creating safe environments for people to network, be inspired and have fun.

• ​Will the event have a Code Of Conduct or similar guidelines in place?

  • ​Yes, #RaiseTheGame has a Code Of Conduct in place for all our events. If you like a copy, please get in touch.