11.02.25
Sponsored By
Welcome to
Let's Talk Games
Let’s Talk Games is a FREE educational games conference dedicated to providing expert insights into the art and design of video games. Whether you're curious about breaking into the industry or wondering what discipline to study, our annual conference is an essential event for any student eager to dive into a career in the games industry.
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I’m excited to announce another year of innovative, creative, and inspiring talks from the UK’s leading studios.
Join us at The Spa Centre in Royal Leamington Spa on February 11th 2025.​​
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Let’s Talk Games is more than just a conference—it’s a celebration of the creativity and passion that drive our industry.
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See you on February 11th 2025!
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Mike Acosta
Founder - Let’s Talk Games
Meet the Speakers for LTG '25
09:30 - 09:45
Chris Headleand
Head of Department, Professor, and National Teaching Fellow leading the Department of Games Development at the University of Staffordshire
09:45 - 10:15
Alice Zaharia
Vehicle Artist - [Maverick Games]
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A talented Vehicle Artist from Maverick Games, watch as she takes you behind the scenes of her exciting role at one of the industry’s most innovative studios. With a passion for designing vehicles that push the boundaries of realism and style, she’ll share insights into her creative process. Perfect for aspiring artists and enthusiasts alike, this talk is a must-see for anyone curious about the artistry and precision behind the vehicles that bring games to life.
Peter Field
Level Designer - [Wildflower Interactive]
Making Spaces - Simple tips for kit bashing engaging space for games.
Peter Field, a renowned Level Designer with a portfolio featuring The Last of Us, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, and Dreams, invites you to witness the art of level design in action. Drawing on years of experience with some of the industry's most acclaimed titles, Peter will share his creative process in this live demonstration.
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During this session, Peter will build a level from scratch, offering real-time insights into his design philosophy, workflow, and problem-solving strategies. Whether you're a budding level designer or simply curious about the craft, this session provides a rare opportunity to learn from one of the best.
10:15 - 11:00
11:00 - 11:30
James Butcher
Education Development Manager - [Epic Games]
Tips and Tricks to achieve greatness in Unreal Engine 5
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James Butcher brings over six years of expertise at Epic Games, where he has been pivotal in fostering Unreal Engine talent across Europe and the UK. As Education Development Manager for EMEA, James leads post-secondary educational initiatives, connecting educators, students, and industry professionals to Epic’s product ecosystem. His work ensures the next generation of developers are prepared to excel in Epic’s licensee studios.
Steve Stopps
Development and Production Director
Team Life: Navigating Ensemble Creativity
A creative industry veteran with over 20 years project management and business development experience, I have collaborated with some truly exceptional people. I now spend my time sharing what I have learned; helping developers make better games and grow a more sustainable business.
11:30 - 12:00
12:00 - 12:15
Liam Lawler
Forging Inclusive Futures: Liam's Journey with SpecialEffect to Empower Gamers with Disabilities
Liam is the Partnerships Coordinator at SpecialEffect – the gamers’ charity working with partners from across the entire games industry to ensure that their support can help to make meaningful change for gamers with disabilities.
LUNCH BREAK
Robin Arthur Greenwood
Fabio Ferreira
Character & Concept Art: A Dynamic Collaboration
Join Robin-Arthur Greenwood (Concept Artist) and Fabio Ferreira (Character Artist) as they explore the intricate collaboration between concept and character artists in game development.
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This presentation will delve into the back-and-forth process common in production, highlighting practical examples of techniques and workflows used to overcome challenges. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the day-to-day dynamics of these roles and how they influence creative decision-making.
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Additionally, the session will offer actionable advice for those looking to enhance their portfolio assets when applying to Ubisoft or similar industry leaders.
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Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from industry professionals and elevate your understanding of the art pipeline in AAA game development!
13:00 - 14:00
14:00 - 14:45
Recruitment Revealed: A Deep Dive with Industry Insiders
Craig Charsley
Chloe Brown
Carl Morris
Chris McCarthy
14:45 - 15:15
Jason Yong
Experienced Technical Artist [Rebellion North]
Technical Artist: How to seize the opportunity?
Building on the success of the 2023 talk "Technical Artist: Identity Crisis or Opportunity?", this session dives deeper into the ever-evolving role of the Technical Artist (TA).
The presentation begins with a 5-minute recap of the original talk, ensuring new audiences are up to speed. From there, it shifts into practical insights and strategies, covering:
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Skill Development: How to grow into a Technical Artist role, regardless of your current skill level.
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Career Pathways: An analysis of typical journeys into TA roles, whether transitioning from other art disciplines or entering straight from university, as well as alternative pathways for TAs outside the games industry.
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Portfolio Advice: Tips on crafting a portfolio that showcases your versatility and technical expertise to stand out to employers.
This talk is ideal for anyone interested in the exciting opportunities within the TA field and provides actionable steps to navigate this career path successfully.
15:15 - 15:45
Jade Law
Dom Brookes
CEO - [Wardog Studios]
Weapons Artist - [Wardog Studios]
Junior Portfolios - How to get it right.
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Join BAFTA-nominated Creative Lead Jade Law, Founder and CEO of Wardog Studios, and seasoned Weapon Artist Dom Brookes as they share invaluable insights into crafting a standout junior portfolio. Drawing on her extensive experience working on major IPs such as Marvel, Call of Duty, and Star Wars, Jade will provide a behind-the-scenes perspective on what industry professionals look for in new talent.
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This session doesn’t just focus on the theory of portfolio building—it includes a powerful case study of a failed applicant who transformed their work based on Jade and Dom’s advice, eventually landing a role at Wardog Studios. Attendees will learn how to avoid common mistakes, understand the core fundamentals of a strong portfolio, and gain actionable tips for showcasing their skills effectively.
Laurence Oldham
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The first three months - Starting a career in games
Laurence Oldham is a seasoned game designer with over 20 years of experience at Frontier, where he has led teams on titles.
Now Head of Design, Laurence is passionate about mentoring aspiring designers and building successful game design teams.
In his talk at Let’s Talk Games, Laurence will share invaluable insights on navigating the first 90 days in the games industry. Drawing on his extensive experience, he’ll provide practical advice for making a strong start in a competitive field.
Head of Design - [Frontier Developments Ltd]
15:45 - 16:15
16:15 - 16:45
Alex Korakitis
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Art Director - Bulkhead
Photogrammetry for Game Art: Creating realistic assets within the limitations of a large scale video game world.
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Alex Korakitis is one of the founders of BULKHEAD and the Art Director on their internal project WARDOGS . With over 10 years of experience working in Indie and AAA titles join him in his breakdown of photogrammetry pipelines utilized by BULKHEAD, from scanning to creating game ready assets for a large scale world (there is a twist here)
BULKHEAD have adopted photogrammetry into their art pipeline for their realistic FPS shooter. In this presentation Alex will discuss the fundamentals of photogrammetry scanning techniques for aspiring photogrammetry artists, the limitations that were identified when trying to apply photogrammetry to a large-scale game world as well as the solution the studio came up with. Finally, Alex will discuss what the future of realistic art could look like.
Meet the Industry...
In the Spa Centre foyer, attendees have the unique opportunity to connect with studios and education providers in an engaging and supportive environment. It’s the perfect place to showcase your portfolio, receive invaluable feedback, and ask questions about launching your career in the exciting world of video games. Whether you're seeking advice, building connections, or exploring pathways into the industry, this space is designed to inspire and empower the next generation of game creators.
The Venue
ABOUT THE ROYAL SPA CENTRE:
The Royal Spa Centre is a state-of-the-art venue that offers a unique and memorable conference experience. With its 650-seat auditorium, modern facilities, and convenient location, it is the perfect venue for Let's Talk Games Conference.
FULL ADDRESS:
The Royal Spa Centre | Newbold Terrace | Royal Leamington Spa | CV32 4HN