Having originally set out to launch an indie bundle for iOS – a project sadly later abandoned due to numerous technical and logistical issues – the Best of British (BoB) organisation now centres around the idea of 'empowering indie developers' across the UK.

As such, the BoB panel at Develop in Brighton focused on what developers across the country can do for each other, and why indies are fuelled by a sense of community rather than competition.

Heating up

"There are so many companies working for hire now, it's becoming more and more difficult," offered Mobile Pie creative director Will Luton.

"There is lots of competition."

Through BoB, however, all those distinct entities can come together – initially via a 48 hour game hack using Unity, but possibly through set of other events at a later date.

"This was the genesis of what's now become a hack, but we're going to spin it out into a number of events, so biz dev people can meet the best 20 indie studios in Britain, for instance," added Luton.

"We have a manifesto which talks about how we function – everyone gets a say, and everyone can come along when they want."

Friend or foe?

As Luton suggested, however, BoB is also about "cementing friendships."

"Such a big industry, we're not really in competition," added Xiotex Studios founder Byron Atkinson-Jones

"There's another side to it. For instance, if I get approached by people to work on projects that I don't have time for, I'll immediately recommend other studios I know."

Paul Virapen of Big Pixel Studios agreed.

"I have no problem passing contacts on if I don't have the time to work on a project pitched to me," he claimed.

Trade talk

As such, BoB builds on the existing close relationships many UK studios have already formed.

Indeed, Laurie Brown of IndieSkies added that for new studios, BoB also proves a vital source of information.

"It's really important to get advice and contacts to find out how to do it the right way when starting out," added Brown.

"Tapping into expertise with people who have already gone through everything is key."

It's in this area where some might argue BoB verges into trade body territory – a comparison not lost on Will Luton - although unlike many larger outfits, BoB is free to join.

"We rely on sponsorship, but we don't want to become a subscription-based trade body," he added.

"We want to deliver some of the benefits trade bodies provide, but via sponsorship."
Studios interested in joining Best of British should email Will Luton at will [at] mobilepie.com.