Visiting Manchester Gaming Expo 2019

Manchester has a thriving gaming community that’s hard to ignore. Home to some of Europe's most creative and best in video games, the city regularly plays host to standout showdowns and unique arcade bars. But what makes Manchester’s gaming scene special isn’t just the big names—it's the indie developers powering up from the ground level.

To gain a closer look at how the indie dev community is growing and how we can support it, I visited Manchester's Gaming Expo, where I had the opportunity to meet some of Manchester’s most promising indie creators.

Where is Manchester's Gaming Expo?

Hosted at The Printworks, the event featured exclusive previews, developer Q&As, and hands-on demos of the latest projects from some of Manchester’s most promising independent studios.

Spotlight on Local Talent: Tri-Heart Interactive and The Otterman Empire:

Among the standout exhibitors was Tri-Heart Interactive, a Manchester-based studio developing The Otterman Empire, a multiplayer arena shooter with family-friendly design and fast-paced action.

“The concept was born from a documentary on the Ottoman Empire,” said co-founder Bradley Mayo, “and quickly evolved into a fun, competitive couch co-op experience with otters as the main characters. Tri-Heart Interactive credits events like Gamers Unite for helping them refine gameplay through live player feedback. The game is expected to enter final development stages later this year.

Despite being new to the industry, the Tri-Heart team has taken full advantage of business support schemes to keep development rolling—smart thinking for an indie studio. I also caught up with team members Simran Whitham CEO of Format, Bradley Mayo, and James Allinson, all of whom play crucial roles in the game’s creation.

What’s so special about attending events like this in Manchester?

James said it best: “The biggest perk is meeting the players. Seeing real-time reactions and hearing feedback helps us fine-tune the game in ways we couldn’t do in isolation.” Bradley added: “It's all about community development. Player input genuinely shapes our production.”

Their message to the community? Keep showing up and sharing your thoughts—we’re building this for you.

Silo Black Games: Launching Boom Boom Barbarian

Also showcasing was Silo Black Games, presenting their new rhythm-action tower defence title Boom Boom Barbarian. Designed as a mix between Guitar Hero and Golden Axe, the game requires players to hit timed inputs to fend off waves of enemies.

“We started as three friends with an idea and a passion,” said lead developer Bradley Harris. “Since relocating to Manchester, the local gaming scene has embraced us—we couldn’t imagine building this anywhere else.” The studio is planning multiplayer functionality for 2020 and is actively seeking new talent to join the team. A playable demo, Boom Boom Brawl, is currently available via iOS and Android.

Bee VR: Bringing Virtual Reality to Local Events

Representing Manchester’s immersive tech scene was Bee VR, an interactive VR company that runs competitive gaming experiences and donates a portion of its profits to bee conservation efforts.

Bee VR’s Jake Jones explained that local events play a crucial role in their development process: “These sessions allow us to engage directly with players and adapt our software in response to real feedback. It’s honest, fast, and incredibly effective.”

The company is planning to expand its kit to music festivals and public events across the UK in the coming year.

UBISOFT: AC ODYSSEY

A big name we’re all used to seeing is Ubisoft, this iconic company came down showing off its new and latest game, Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Whilst not being able to comment at all on the game, we still managed to take a few moments to find out what the team thought of Manchester’s gaming background and what the best thing about it?

A Ubisoft representative mentioned, “It’s just fantastic seeing the community respond so passionately. The Hub shows some of the best new indie games coming out of Manchester so all I can say is keep coming and be a part of your gaming community.”

The game industry is booming and is on its way to new, exciting advancements, and we shouldn’t miss the great opportunities Manchester has to offer. 

With a strong sense of community, access to creative talent, and ongoing support from both fans and industry leaders, Manchester is rapidly establishing itself as a northern powerhouse for interactive entertainment. The expo continues to play a vital role in shaping Manchester’s identity as a thriving hub for game development and creative technology. With a growing network of independent studios, community-focused events, and passionate audiences, the city is proving that world-class games can be built and celebrated right here in the North West.ment and tech innovation.