CONTENTS
04 NEWS & EVENTS
News and events, including details on the upcoming AI and Robotics conference.
08 RAISING THE GAME
Get to know your Inkle from your Ninja Theory in our spotlight on the city’s studios.
Ready player one? This issue, we’re deep diving into the Cambridge gaming cluster, hearing from the big names, the rising stars, the educators, the legal brains and more about the challenges and opportunities on the horizon for the industry. Cambridge is at the forefront of this unique, fast moving sector, with around 50 active gaming studios in the city generating tens of millions a year between them. From world- famous names like Frontier and Jagex to hopeful start-ups like Minibeast, the scene is thriving. That’s partly thanks to the excellent games development courses on offer here and their associated festivals and student games companies, providing a leg-up to talented young developers (hear from Cambridge Regional College on inspiring the next generation on page 22), and of course, the unique Cambridge ecosystem plays a role too. Another factor is the city’s deep links to the history of computing, which we find out more about in our spotlight on the Centre for Computing History. Beginning life as a personal collection of vintage computers that spiralled out of control, this astounding archive now totals more than 40,000 artefacts which, together, tell the story of the Information Age and Cambridge’s important role in it. Hear from the man behind the centre and find out more about its mission on page 26. Also in this issue, local start-up VividQ shares its ambitions to become a bona fide tech giant with some super-cool computer- generated holography applications (36), social venture Young and Learning gives the lowdown on its sustainable kids toys (38), and Cambridge entrepreneur Harriet Kelsall shares her story so far, from opening three jewellery shops to writing a successful business book (46). Enjoy the issue and keep an eye out for number 7, out in May!
15 GOOD GAMIFICATION
TTP looks at how gamification is being used to make unappealing tasks more enjoyable.
16 CULTIVATING DIVERSITY
Jagex talks equality in the gaming industry, sharing what it’s doing to improve inclusivity.
18 THE POWER OF PLAY
Raspberry Pi on how video games can be a gateway to essential computer science skills.
21 PROTECTING IP IN GAMES
Patent attorneys Appleyard Lees explain why safeguarding IP is crucial for games developers.
22 GAME THEORY
CRC’s games development course leader on equipping young people for the gaming sector.
25 STEP UP YOUR GAME
Fire Tech looks at ways for young people to get a foothold in the gaming industry.
26 COMPUTER LOVE
Take a look around Cambridge’s incredible archive of vintage computers.
32 TECH BYTES
The latest news from the fizzing Cambridge Cluster.
36 PITCH PERFECT
Local start-up VividQ gives the lowdown on its cutting-edge holography applications.
38 DOING GOOD & DOING WELL
The Cambridge social ventures making an impact. Up this issue: Young and Learning.
NICOLA FOLEY EDITOR IN CHIEF
42 SPACE EXPLORATION
A business venue with a fun and foodie twist: Cambridge Cookery on Purbeck Road.
44 THE BIG THREE
EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright-publishing.com CHIEF SUB EDITOR Beth Fletcher SENIOR SUB EDITOR Siobhan Godwood
CONTRIBUTORS Matthew Gooding, Dan Lock, Charlotte Griffiths, Simon Ambroz, Sam Bose, Mac Bowley, Susanne Bauer, Chris Baker
Local entrepreneurs on the three professionals who helped them succeed.
46 JEWEL IN THE CROWN
@cambscatalyst cambridgecatalyst.co.uk
SUB EDITOR Elisha Young SUB EDITOR Felicity Evans
Cambridge jeweller Harriet Kelsall on her remarkable business journey so far.
ADVERTISING GROUP AD MANAGER Sam Scott-Smith 01223 499457 samscott-smith@bright-publishing.com AD SALES MANAGER Ed Grundy 01223 499463 edgrundy@bright-publishing.com
DESIGN & PRODUCTION DESIGN DIRECTOR Andy Jennings DESIGN MANAGER Alan Gray EDITORIAL DESIGN Man-Wai Wong, Lucy Woolcomb, Emma Di'Iuorio AD PRODUCTION Man-Wai Wong catalystads@bright-publishing.com
51 LUNCH AL DESKO
Step away from the supermarket meal deal and discover the city’s tastiest office lunches.
54 OUT OF OFFICE
MANAGING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck 01223 499450
Where to spend your annual leave and what to spend your paycheque on...
CAMBRIDGE CATALYST IS A MAGAZINE BY BRIGHT PUBLISHING, MAKERS OF CAMBRIDGE EDITION
WANT TO RECEIVE COPIES OF CAMBRIDGE CATALYST?
CAMBRIDGE CATALYST Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridgeshire CB22 3HJ, 01223 499450 cambridgecatalyst.co.uk All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of the publishers. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of CAMBRIDGE CATALYSTor Bright Publishing Ltd, which do not accept any liability for loss or damage. Every effort has been made to ensure all information is correct. CAMBRIDGE CATALYST is a free publication that is distributed in Cambridge and the surrounding area.
Visit cambridgecatalyst.co.uk and sign up to be added to the distribution list.
3
ISSUE 01 I 6
cambridgecatalyst.co.uk
Powered by FlippingBook