I’ve just spent an afternoon at EGX 2014 in Earl’s Court, London. I’d done some paperwork for putting in place arrangements for certain sessions taking place across the event’s four days and when I was asked if I wanted to go along to EGX, it had to be a “yes”. You can’t turn down the opportunity to experience the end result of the words that you put in an agreement.

Whilst it’s fine to prepare paperwork that “does its job” and does so perfectly well, it is always good for a lawyer to get out from behind the desk to experience whatever it is that a client does and, importantly, how it is done – that way, paperwork can not only “do its job” but it can come alive and cover so many more details and intricacies that can only be understood by spending a little time in a client’s shoes.

EGX was a great event to get to. It is a showpiece event in the UK gaming calendar at which gamers can play the up and coming games (of which I played none), bag some limited edition souvenirs (I came away empty-handed) or see their favourite YouTube channel presenters up close and personal (I recognised a particular one but I thought he wouldn’t appreciate me as some random person stopping him in an aisle). As a central feature of the stage areas shows, the presenters do a great job of bringing a game to life – I watched one presentation where the complete failure of the presenter to finish the level was genuinely entertaining - after perhaps 67 failed attempts (and that may be an underestimate), he had to hand the controller over to the developer. It was one of those moments where you think “I could do better than that” but given that the session was streaming live on Twitch and YouTube, I kept my opinions very much to myself! Rather him than me… When the developer took over, the game really came to life and he showed off some serious skills, all the hidden tactics and alternative routes that the average player would miss.

The value of the games sector and the creative industries in the UK continues to rise and the enthusiasm shown by the gamers at EGX is unending. There were plenty of people who had definitely made some extra special effort to dress for the occasion and there was no evidence of any impatience at having to wait for a turn at the pods, although I’m sure Saturday and Sunday will see a massive increase in the numbers of visitors.

The enthusiasm for the sector is not only held by the paying public – there were plenty of universities there exhibiting their games-related courses and their booths were crammed with interested, prospective students. I was speaking to one university representative who had to be pulled back to the stand as there was a queue of people wanting to talk to him. Ukie was there putting on a programme of talks designed to explore a career within games development. The indie scene was extremely well represented with their dedicated area at EGX heaving with people.

As an aside, whilst it will be a number of years before the impact is fully evident, it is great to see computing being a major part of the educational curriculum in schools. Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy used the platform of EGX to announce the Next Gen Skills Academy, an industry-led academy which will design and deliver new courses up to degree level.

So, whilst spending an afternoon in a client’s shoes may not have carried official “continuing professional development” points, it was certainly educational and of immense benefit, seeing the output of many aspects of the games sector concentrated into one space, understanding what makes gamers tick, what a developer needs to tap into and what drives gamers to queue outside shops at midnight for the next big release.

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Chris Taylor is a solicitor in Eaton Smith’s Corporate and Commercial Team. If you think we can help with any aspect of your game development, do get in touch on 01484 821300 or via christaylor@eatonsmith.co.uk
Posted Friday 26th of September 2014