Surrey Academics Team Up with Local Game Developers, Gamers, and Esports Pros to Fortify Guildford's Legacy as the UK's 'Hollywood of Video Games'

The new space, which opened at the University's Stag Hill campus in Guildford on Thursday (6 June), is the epicentre for an exciting new venture that will bring together a top taskforce of world-class academics, local game developers and creative tech leaders, and amateur gamers and e-sport pros to solidify Surrey's reputation as a leader in the global video game industry.

A UK-first, the new zone is part of a wider £2.3m programme called Games And Innovation Nexus (GAIN). It brings together cutting-edge academic research and expertise from fields such as AI, neuroscience, psychology, blockchain and metaverse with game developers and creative tech studios to cover every stage of game production - from concept to console.

Two especially notable academics contributing to the project are Prof. Ferrante Neri, a specialist in AI recognised by Stanford University as one of the top 2% of scientists worldwide, and Prof. Yu Xiong, Chair of the Advisory Board of the UK government's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Metaverse and Web 3.0.

Inside, the Games Innovation Zone is split into two distinct areas: an Innovation Cube for collaboration, and the Games Cube for testing and playing games.

Working together in the Innovation Cube, the unique cooperative will use their world-class combined expertise and insights to tackle some of the gaming industry's biggest challenges, fortifying Guildford's gaming legacy and shaping the future of video games.

The GAIN programme is funded by Research England, Surrey County Council, the University of Surrey, UCA Farnham, Warwick University, and Warwickshire County Council. Along with enhancing the UK's gaming industry outside of London, the programme aims to strengthen collaboration between Guildford Gaming and Silicon Spa, two of the UK's biggest gaming clusters outside the capital.

Notes to Editors

Professor Yu Xiong, Caroline Fleming and Dr Andrew Rogoyski of the Institute of People-Centred AI are available for interview.

To arrange an interview please call Ben Wilson, Head of Communications, Surrey Innovation District & Surrey Research Park on: 07803 170902 or email: Benjamin.wilson@surrey.ac.uk

The University of Surrey is an economic pillar in the South-East region, renowned for its research and technological excellence and commitment to societal impact. It is home to world-renowned research hubs such as the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI, the 5G/6G Innovation Centre, and the Academy for Blockchain and Metaverse Applications – all spearheading GAIN's efforts in AI, blockchain, NFTs, and beyond.

About Guildford's Gaming Heritage

Guildford, a Surrey market town, has been a significant hub for game development since the 1980s. It all began with Bullfrog Productions, founded by Peter Molyneux, known for classic games like "Theme Park" and "Dungeon Keeper." This legacy has led to Guildford being dubbed the "Hollywood of Video Games" due to its vibrant game development scene.

Today, Guildford is home to renowned developers such as Criterion Games, creators of the "Burnout" series, and Hello Games, the BAFTA-winning studio behind "No Man's Sky." The Surrey Research Park, part of the University of Surrey, plays a crucial role in supporting this industry. It hosts over 200 tech businesses, including prominent gaming companies like 22cans and Seven League Software.