Getting started in the gaming industry

Just how do you get started working in the gaming sector?

From software and game development, to character design and coding, Norwich Games Festival 2025 has a great line-up of events to help you get insight into a career in the gaming industry.

Whether you’re looking to get hands-on experience, or keen to hear from industry experts about their career experiences, we’ve got you covered! Below are our top recommendations:

Beginner Level 

Don’t miss The Arena at The Forum from Tue 27 – Sat 31 May (all ages)! With a whole host of fantastic free activities, including the chance to play a few retro and classic video games as well as a selection of indie tabletop games, there’s plenty to get stuck into if you’re only just starting to explore the opportunities the gaming industry has to offer. 

In the Educator Zone, you’ll meet teams from the Norwich University of the Arts and City College Norwich to discover the opportunities available here in Norfolk. 

Plus, you can meet animators and game artists from Studio Goblin, who will be on hand to offer advice on how you can get into the industry. 

If you have a passion for creativity in games, then why not bring your character ideas to life in an introductory workshop on Wed 28 or Fri 30 May (12+) led by Norwich University of the Arts graduate Anaïs Castro. 

Taking Your Next Steps 

Ready to level-up your future? Nicky Ellison (Infinite Form) and Jake Montanarini (Norwich University of the Arts) come together to tell you everything you need to know about key roles in the games industry, showcase career paths and demystify the game-making process on Fri 30 May (12+). 

Award-winning freelancer Steph Darrah explores all you need to know about video game design in a fantastic talk on Wed 28 May at The Forum (8+). This event is perfect if you’re looking for a business perspective too, as Steph will show you how to look at video games as products, and how to consider player psychology when developing games. 

If tabletop gaming is more your thing, then don’t miss Eleanor Hingley and David F. Chapman, as they discuss their own experiences in working in the industry on Tue 27 May (14+).  

If competitive e-sports is more your thing, then check out this fantastic panel of e-sports professionals as they offer advice on how to turn your passion into a profession on Sat 31 May (8+).  

Studio Goblin are back on Fri 30 May with a look behind the scenes at games art – they’ll be diving into their back catalogue of 2D animation and sharing some of the feedback they have received from developers (12+).  

Running a Game Business 

Perhaps you’re an early career developer, or ready to start your very own games studio? Melissa Phillips of the Games Leadership Academy covers everything from planning and budgeting to navigating legal hurdles and creating a positive workplace culture in a talk on Thu 29 May. 

And with less than 2% of console games featuring queer storylines, writers Gavin Spoors and Errol Seymour will explore LGBTQ+ narratives and authentic gameplay interactions in a fascinating discussion on Thu 29 May (14+). 

Norwich Games Festival returns this May Half Term, from Mon 26 – Sat 31 May 2025.

Check out the full programme of events – including workshops, shows, talks and more!