Birmingham Welcomes Major New Gaming Festival to Nurture Future Talent
A significant new gaming careers festival is launching in Birmingham this January, designed specifically to help young people explore opportunities within one of the United Kingdom's most rapidly expanding creative sectors. The 'Get into Games Birmingham' event represents a major initiative to connect the next generation with the thriving video games industry.
Event Details and Accessibility
Scheduled for Saturday, 31st January, the festival will run from 11:00am to 4:30pm at the prestigious Midlands Arts Centre. While primarily targeting young people aged 12 to 25, organisers have confirmed that all age groups are welcome to attend, with an anticipated capacity of approximately 600 participants. Crucially, the entire event is completely free to attend, removing financial barriers for those interested in exploring gaming careers.
Comprehensive Programme and Industry Access
The festival has been meticulously designed to provide attendees with unprecedented access to the gaming industry's diverse career pathways. Participants can expect a comprehensive programme including:
- A full stage schedule featuring career talks from established industry professionals
- Over 30 exhibition stalls representing both local and national games studios, colleges, and universities
- Opportunities to play independent games developed by regional creators
- Bookable one-to-one advice sessions with professional game developers
- Hands-on game development workshops providing practical experience
By the conclusion of the event, organisers anticipate that participants will gain substantially clearer understanding of:
- The various entry routes available into the gaming industry
- How their personal interests and skills might align with different gaming roles
- What constitutes strong applications for courses, employment positions, or early-career opportunities
Industry Backing and Regional Significance
The festival is delivered by the national games skills charity Into Games and proudly sponsored by Rare, one of the Midlands' most successful gaming studios with over three decades of industry experience. Rare's portfolio includes globally recognised titles such as GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, and the phenomenally popular Sea of Thieves.
Declan Cassidy, CEO of Into Games, emphasised the festival's importance: "For too many young people, the games industry still feels hidden, confusing, or out of reach, particularly if you don't already have personal connections within it. Events like Get into Games exist specifically to transform this perception."
Cassidy further highlighted the broader economic context: "The UK games industry contributes over £7 billion to our economy, with gaming skills becoming increasingly valuable across diverse sectors including healthcare and the arts. By bringing together studios, educators, and practising developers in one accessible, welcoming environment, we can help young people understand available opportunities, industry expectations, and, most importantly, recognise that there is genuinely a place for them within this dynamic industry."
Veronica Price, Talent Lead at Rare, added: "We want people in Birmingham and throughout the Midlands to recognise that a viable career in gaming is not only possible but readily available right on their doorstep. We're delighted to sponsor Get Into Games in our home city, supporting local talent and helping to remove obstacles for young people exploring the full spectrum of roles within our industry. Connecting emerging talent with regional studios, educational institutions, and tangible career pathways strengthens the Midlands gaming sector and contributes to a more robust, inclusive future for the entire UK games industry."
Extensive Industry Participation
Beyond Rare's sponsorship, the event showcases the remarkable strength and diversity of the regional gaming ecosystem, demonstrating that young people can pursue substantial opportunities without needing to leave the area. Confirmed partners and exhibitors represent a comprehensive cross-section of the industry, including:
- Major studios: Rare and Playground Games
- Educational institutions: Access Creative College, University of Staffordshire, Coventry University, Escape Studios, South Staffordshire College
- Independent developers: Paper Flower Games, Seventh Disorder, SOL Coding, AC[M], Tombobulus Games, The Wonder Room, Pondering Panda, Retroburn, Shiverbug Studios, NeverSleep Games, Admiral Egg Games, Evil Bean Games
- Career organisations: Discover! Creative Careers and numerous independent developers
This gathering represents a unique convergence of educational resources, established industry players, and innovative independent creators, all committed to fostering the next generation of gaming talent within the Midlands region.
