Whoah

Almost a month went by without an update. Clearly, I'm slacking.

Tons going on though, with a new management appointment at work, a new FD will join us in Feb. Been to Dublin, getting ready to go to Lyon and Alien Breed finally certified and ready to release on Xbox 360.

Also swapped my car, since I've been contemplating getting all practical with four doors again. Of course I went with common sense (considering a diesel) and walked out with a 5litre guzzling monster. Ah well, you only live once. It does have 4 doors and plenty of room for 4 adults though (which was a problem on my 2+2 former car, which I did like and will miss). I've had a ton of problems with it though, since it's got large wheels/tires and it obviously wasn't set up right when I bought it, which resulted in the suspension rubbing on the wheels etc, this is still in the process of being rectified - and it's a been a real shame because I love the car (if not it's fuel consumption).

The news about Alien Breed was a huge relief after a fairly tiresome few months and it remains to be seen when we'll launch, but well be on with the PR soon.

Lyon's Game Connection looms and for the first time we're attending as prospective publishers.

After that it's wind down to Christmas, a ton of Leeds matches and also the Team17 party.

And I'm back on bloody facebook. Pah.

Standing still.

I can't believe that I have a full month with no international travel, I think it's the first one for quite a few years. To be honest, it will feel good to not have to pack & sort. There's just one short(ish) trip to Lyon this year and that's that, although that won't happen until I sort my new passport out.

It's been quite a positive week in the office, with Alien Breed getting a tremendous response at the Eurogamer Expo in Leeds - and a ton of coverage as a result, it was great for the lads in the office to hear players first hand loving the game up.

Oh and I crept back onto facebook. Pretty poor show from me, but I do aim to moderate it.

Twain now awwiving at Wetford.

Its not often a coach load of people on a train break out laughing simultaneously, but the genius of the North Eastern line hiring a guy with a lisp is to be cherished, particularly as it slows into Retford on a sunny Wednesday morning.

Thing is he said it loud and "pwoud" as he confidently announced that the "Twain was now awwiving into Wetford. Wetford next stop. This is Wetford". It was very funny seeing peoples eyes go wide and eyebrows raise up on the first Wetford, mouths open on the second and everyone piss themselves in unison at the third when everyone realised that they had really heard it.

Perhaps Porky Pig does work on a train after all.

It's finished up a good 24hrs or so for me, after the radio & TV PR yesterday, then down to London for the London Games Conference, then beers with old mucker Mick Morriss and friends (including Gareth the posh geordie) in a very swanky private members club late on. Even Leeds managed an emphatic 4-0 away win.

Am currently still on the twain, heading for Wakefweild then the Eurogwamer conwerence.

Give me a (tax) break

I was interviewed on two BBC radio programmes this morning, more or less with regards to the attempts by the video games industry to lobby government for tax breaks.

TIGA handles this for the body of developers so I had to have a bit of catch up on where things were at, I've obviously been aware of the incentives offered in Canada, France and other regions - and the investment that's occurred there rather than in the UK, a more traditional hub of technical & creative excellence.

The UK film industry has had substantial support and as another leading creative industry, it's time the government backed us too before it's all too late.

Until then, Indies like Team17 will continue to fight the fight :)

BBC-tastic!

Somewhat of a BBC frenzy tomorrow (Tues 27th Oct) since I'll be on "Wake up to money" on BBC Five Live at around 5.45am and then there's a Team17 featured piece on the games industry airing at 6.50, 7.50 and 8.50am respectively on BBC1 Breakfast Time TV.

Later I head off to London for the London Games Conference on Tuesday evening (which we're sponsoring) and then back home on Wednesday.

In other news, the beard has been shaven off and Leeds lost their unbeaten status - I believe both events to be unconnected.