Game Up!

Do games tell a story? Are games the new reading?

2 December 2008, Channel 4, 6-9pm

The Reading Agency in partnership with Channel 4 and Creative Partnerships

The 21st Century narrative landscape is changing; new communities of readers and writers are emerging. Reading is being redefined by digital media; narrative is no longer linear, stories and characters are co-produced and the distinction between creator and consumer is blurring. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the highly creative world of gaming.

This event will open the debate on the creative interaction between reading,writing and gaming and explore young people’s relationships, experiences and interactions with gaming, narrative and co-production. Where do we get and what do we want from stories now? What type of narratives do games offer? What does this mean for writers and readers? How can we build on this creative relationship to grow both the reading and gaming market?

If you are interested in gaming, reading, literacy and promoting creative learning to young people come and share new thinking on how reading and writing are changing and the creative potential for reading through gaming.

Game Up! will be introduced Miranda McKearney, The Reading Agency and Matt Locke , Commissioning Editor, Channel 4.

The chair will be Karl James, The Dialogue Project

Speakers:
Alice Taylor, commissioning editor, Channel 4 education
Cory Doctorow writer, journalist, blogger
Adrian Hon, co-founder and chief creative, six to start
Jason Kingsley CEO & creative director Rebellion
Derek Robertson, LTS’s national adviser for emerging technologies and learning

Andy Walsh, writer, games writer/developer and story consultant  

Please arrive for 6pm. Speakers and debate from 6.30pm followed by drinks and networking, 8pm-9pm.