Matty McGrory is the cofounder and Design Director of Observer Interactive, where he is currently working on their original IP titled Rover’s Tale. He is an accomplished game designer and educator with over two decades of experience in development and education. Matty has worked with a variety of high-profile developers such as WayForward Technologies, Pixel Toys, SUMO Digital and Radical Forge. His expertise spans gameplay and systems design, narrative, UX, technical design and team leadership.
Matty joined Falmouth University in 2021 as a tutor for the MA Indie Game Development program and currently is module leader for the same program. In addition to his work at Falmouth, Matty has curated events such as the Animex Games Festival and held senior academic roles, including course leader for BA Indie Game Development at Teesside University. He has a passion for indie game development, rapid prototyping and helping aspiring developer to pitch and make their games – including with Game Republic’s Student Club.
Caroline Cooper Charles is the CEO of Screen Yorkshire, where she oversees the regional investment fund and champions out-of-London screen industries. Her distinguished career spans over two decades of talent development, production, and strategic leadership in the UK screen sector. Previously Caroline was Creative England’s senior film enterprise executive and Head of Creative Development at Warp X.