Join us for a festive tipple (or a hot tea!) at the Games Hub Christmas Party! Find us at the King's Arms, Whiteladies Road on Thursday 15th December at 7pm till late. We'll be upstairs in the mezzanine area of the pub.

The Global Game Jam is back in 2023 for another year! Sponsored by Auroch Digital, the event will take place from 3rd to 5th February. If you're interested, block out those dates in your diary, as it's an event that you won't want to miss! More details will follow in the new year! 

 

Open Bionics has launched an Equity Crowdcube Campaign to raise investment to launch the Hero Arm in 10 new countries and to finish product development for some new bionic devices. Please back a British robotics company that employs 40 people in Bristol building bionic limbs. Sign up here and invest from as little as £12  > https://www.crowdcube.com/pre-reg/open-bionics? 

The Crowdcube platform promotes campaigns based on high sign-up numbers, so the important thing for the team is that as many people as possible sign-up.

Auroch Digital has had a busy year in 2022! With the release of their new title, Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator on all platforms, the exciting news that they are working with Games Workshop to release Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun in 2023, the successful launch of Ogre on consoles, porting Megaquarium Freshwater Frenzy DLC to consoles, and the variety of other secret projects being worked on in the background, it's a wonder they've had time for anything else! 

But, this year the staff at Auroch Digital have successfully raised £3,825 for Bristol Royal Hospital for Children’s Sunflower Ward! The studio has a close relationship with the ward, and feels passionate about contributing to such a great cause, The Grand Appeal! For more info on the fundraising they have done, read the full article on Techspark's website.

As well as their charity efforts, some of the team at Auroch Digital have dedicated time to looking further into neurodiversity in the games industry. This has been really helpful to the wider team and has allowed them to understand the different types of neurodiversity and how to make games that everyone can play. Read their blog post for further details on this topic.

Finally, Auroch Digital would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Long-standing Thought Den partner Rutger van Dijk has launched his first solo game title! Oakenfold is a unique turn-based strategy roguelike with a time-bending twist out now on PC. The attention to detail is superb and the time-scrubber mechanic lets you really hone the high score. 
 
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N7CENNa0LI
​Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1494450/Oakenfold/
Press kit: https://oakenfold.presskithero.com/

(Thought Den is a design studio based in Bristol and London, founded in 2008 and dedicated to playful learning. Get in touch if you’d like to claim a free Steam key for Oakenfold // curious@thoughtden.co.uk)/

We've been working on our next DLC: Rebel Inc: Escalation - Dollars & Disasters.
 
On release, players will be tasked to stablise regions in the middle of a volcanic eruption, take on the insurgency with a warchest of money as the Billionaire governor and explore new tactical possibilities with a suite of Special Advisors. Additionally new official scenarios will introduce droughts, orbital satellites and even genies! 

It will be out early next year, in the meantime, check out the trailer.

The Department for International Trade are delighted to announce plans to take a UK trade mission to the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco from 20 - 24 March 2023.
 
They are asking for expressions of interest from game developers across the country and are inviting businesses of all stages to apply. Spaces are limited and they will select the most relevant companies in terms of resource and potential.
 
The mission will be a packed agenda of market entry masterclasses leading up to the visit, in-market networking opportunities (consulate receptions and bespoke meetings/events), site/studio visits and attending the Game Developer Conference.
 
Please note: Companies will fund their own travel and accommodation. Eligible companies may benefit from the ESIF fund (restrictions apply, deadline for applications of this is the 31st December).

The deadline for expression of interest is Wednesday 14th December. For further info, please visit their website!

Co-op Mode are open and currently have 2 desk spaces available! So if you want to rent a desk space, or know anyone who would, then get in contact with Ben at info@bristolcoopmode.com or https://www.bristolcoopmode.com/ for more information and spread the word to local games devs.

If you're looking for a role in the industry and are passionate about making games that relate to and deal with real-world issues, then Auroch Digital could be for you! With a number of exciting new prospects, original IP projects and interesting partner games in development, they are expanding the team!

Take a listen to their podcast about 'A Day in the Life' at Auroch, and head over to their social pages to see what they've been getting up to. With a carefully picked team of friendly, hardworking and talented developers, Auroch Digital strives to uphold their positive company culture centred on openness, job satisfaction, and opportunities for learning and growth.

If you're interested in joining the team, visit their website to apply!

Ground Shatter is looking for someone who can assist the studio in a wide-reaching capacity in various business and planning functions.
 
Job Description

You will be expected to:

 
- Work alongside the company director on various operational aspects
- Arrange and co-ordinate meetings and events both on-site and remote
- Collate feedback from third-parties to feed into the development process
- Assist with planning and organising the team and individual workloads
- Work closely with the development team and support the smooth running of the studio

Essential Traits
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Confident
- Organised
- Self-starting

Desirable Traits
- An interest in the business of making games
- Keen to learn all aspects of running an indie studio
- Familiarity with game production methodologies
- Some experience in an admin/operations/production role

Notes
- Salary is dependent on experience
- We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups within the industry
- This is a hybrid role with some remote work and some on site in Bristol, UK

Please apply via email to info@groundshatter.com with an up to date c.v. and covering letter.