From the pursuit of an ‘improved customer experience’ to the battle for the living room, Scotland’s games development companies are continuing draw global attention. With an estimated turnover of £20m, Scotland’s computer games industry has already spawned such best selling video games as Grand Theft Auto, State of Emergency and Roller Coaster Tycoon. One of the companies at the heart of this success is VIS Entertainment, founded by games guru Chris van der Kuyl. The 110-strong company, based in Dundee but with another studio in Edinburgh is planning a proposed merger with American publisher Bam, which would finally consummate a marriage between games development and publishing. You can be sure it’ll be a hot topic of conversation at the 2004 conference, featuring the strongest ever contingent of Scots games producers, and at EIGF04 in August. Building on the overwhelming success of the inaugural Edinburgh International Games Festival (EIGF03), this year’s event will once again showcase Scotland’s games sector’s excellence.

Talking of which, you can’t leave the games sector behind without first mentioning another of its leading lights. Kevin Bradshaw, who founded Digital Bridges in Dunfermline, has recently put his mobile gaming know-how to good use on the other side of the Atlantic, helping New Jersey-based mobile games firm Kayak Interactive to raise $12m. Bradshaw is now vice-president of business development for the firm whose technology platform enables developers and publishers to design and distribute mobile multiplayer games across wireless networks. A canny move since wireless gaming is poised for explosive growth over the next few years. By 2006, it’s anticipated that there will be 107 million active wireless gamers worldwide.

For more information about the Scottish games industry and more, visit http://www.friendsofscotland.gov.uk