Scotland’s largest games festival, Scottish Games Week (SGW) 2023, has been nominated in the Event Of The Year category of the 2024 MCV/Develop Awards 2024. This recognition by the highly respected games industry publication underscores the success of SGW’s mission to celebrate and promote the vibrant Scottish games industry while fostering a wider conversation about the power and potential of video games.
The MCV/Develop Awards are a highlight of the UK games industry calendar, honouring excellence across various categories, from development and publishing, to retail, marketing and events. Scottish Games Week’s nomination in the Event Of The Year category positions it amongst other strong contenders, reflecting the impact and reach of the 2023 edition.
Fellow nominees include some of the UK’s biggest games events, such as Develop Brighton (Tandem Events), Format GG (Format), WASD (Roucan) and London Games Week (Games London).
Brian Baglow, founder of Scottish Games Week, expressed his delight at the nomination, stating: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be recognised by MCV/Develop for Scottish Games Week. From the very beginning, we have aimed to create an event that celebrates the incredible talent within the Scottish games industry and give the games world a reason to come to Scotland. However, we also believe games are more than just entertainment – they have the power to connect people, educate, and inspire. That’s why we have curated programmes that go beyond the core games industry to include events for everyone across the entire games ecosystem.”
This focus on the games ‘ecosystem’ is a key factor in SGW’s success. Unlike many industry-focused events, SGW actively seeks to engage educators, politicians, and representatives from industries outside the traditional games industry. This broader perspective fosters a more holistic understanding of the impact of games and creates opportunities for collaboration across sectors.
This multi-faceted approach resonated with audiences. The 2023 expo attracted record numbers of attendees, while the conference sessions sparked lively discussions and fostered new connections. Educational events saw educators exploring the potential of games in pedagogical settings, while policy discussions highlighted the growing economic and social significance of the games industry in Scotland – and led directly to the programme to create a national games strategy.
Scottish Games Week’s nomination in the MCV/Develop Awards is a testament to the event’s ability to not only celebrate the Scottish games industry but create a platform for wider engagement. By fostering collaboration and inclusivity, SGW is playing a leading role in shaping the future of games in Scotland and beyond.
The winner of the “Best Event” category will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 20th June in central London. Regardless of the outcome, Scottish Games Week’s nomination serves as validation of its vision and its dedication to showcasing the power of games to entertain, connect, and inspire.