THE YORKSHIRE Games Festival 2020 - held at Bradford's National Science and Media Museum - got underway today with interactive workshops and talks.

The major gaming industry event, which is running until 9 February, celebrates gaming culture and provides insights into the industry and potential opportunities for those who may be interested in a career within it.

Today marked day one of this year's festival and welcomed Melissa Phillips, Programme Manager of BAFTA's Young Games Designers competition - an initiative which encourages under 18s to submit the ideas they have for their own games.

Melissa led a workshop where she spoke to Bradford school groups - pupils presented their ideas as well as their thoughts on gaming culture, trends and ethics.

"We started with the school workshops today and we'll be running autism, Asperger’s and anxiety-friendly workshops on Thursday and Friday, too", Melissa explained.

"We want to let young people know that there are jobs available in the games industry and that it's a viable career option. By being at this festival, we're able to make them aware that games jobs exist - I didn't know they existed until I was in my mid 20s and I wish I did earlier, because it's a great industry to work in."

Melissa also said how she believes having the festival in Bradford will help to inspire communities here who are under-represented in the industry.

"Ukie, the independent trade body for games, released its data census on the games industry, which shows where we're lacking - there's a lack of diversity, including a lack of women, BAME people and working-class people. This means there's work for us to do, as an industry, to bring in those unheard voices.

"Bradford has been identified as an area that needs more digital skills, but that's not because of a lack of interest, it's because of a lack of resources - but having the games festival here will help to show people there are futures in digital technology.

"There's a lot of negativity about the impact of games. But it's about balance and also engaging with parents - it's easy for us to dismiss things we don't understand, so we have to have this conversation about games and how they can be beneficial.

"We don't want to alienate parents, but want to bring them in - their son or daughter could be a young games designer and have credits to their name before they've even turned 18."

John Murphy, teacher at Bingley Grammar School, which is a computing hub for the National Centre for Computing Education, was at Melissa's workshop with year 8 pupils and said, "The festival is a great opportunity to find out about the games industry and meet industry insiders.

"The pupils will be choosing their GCSE options next year and have expressed an interest in computer studies, so this is helpful. Creative industries are the fastest growing in the UK - there's a real future in this.

"It's also a good day out and almost like a reward - because they're all good kids!"

Althea Kennett, School Communications Officer, said, "The festival helps to enrich pupils' learning. We have a curriculum to follow, but things like this really bring things to life.

"Someone from the games industry can be a role model, so having them speak to students can be very powerful."