Develop: North 2024 

Unfortunately, the Liverpool weather wasn’t playing ball (bad soccer joke there) but that didn’t matter as I was heading to a Develop:North for the first time in many years!

The Spine, a sleek, futuristic building, echoed with the chatter of game developers, artists, business people and industry veterans (like me). I was eager to soak in the latest trends, network with like-minded individuals, and gain insights from industry leaders, technologists and decision-makers.
The opening keynote was ‘Come Together: Building a Positive and People-first Future for Game Development in the North West’. It was inspiring to hear about the boundless possibilities that lay ahead in this part of the UK. The rest of the day was a blur of insightful talks, workshops, and networking events.
The conference also provided ample networking opportunities.
I met with friends and contacts from all over the UK and Europe, discussed potential collaborations, and exchanged contact information. The event was completely sold out this year so I hope that is a good indicator for its return next year. It was refreshing to connect with people who shared our passion here at Quantic Lab for game development, to learn about their projects and to see if we could help them achieve their goals.
As the day drew to a close, I couldn’t help but feel energised and inspired as the market seems to be picking up, slowly but surely. It was so nice to have an event based in the North of the UK where so much talent operates from and has influenced our industry for many years. Develop:North had exceeded my expectations, offering a wealth of knowledge, connections, and motivation. Here’s to Develop: North ’25 wherever that may end up being held.
 Neil Soane – Managing Director at Quantic Lab UK –  brings over 30 years of diverse experience in the computer entertainment industry, excelling in development, publishing, quality assurance, and first-party relations. As a senior producer and project manager, Neil has led teams at both executive and technical levels, ensuring top-tier quality and performance across the gaming landscape.