Luft, Tim (Serious Games Institute, Coventry University, UK)

Topic: "The rapid growth of serious games on mobile platforms"

Tim is the founder and Operations Director at the Serious Games Institute (Coventry University Enterprises Ltd.) Tim has developed over 15 years experience both in the public sector and private sector. Tim’s experience includes an understanding and successful background in delivering complex public/ private sector partnerships.

Tim’s current research is centred around the adoption of new 3D animation/ Games technology to support small businesses. He has an industrial background incorporating the establishment of large scale public private partnerships which focus upon technology transfer (examples include the Regional e-Portal). Tim held previous roles within a UK Regional Development Agency supporting the role out of online e-Business and ICT adoption programmes. Tim currently sits on the regional Interactive Media Cluster opportunity group for the West Midlands and remains on the board of two interactive media companies.

Tim is a PRINCE 2 practitioner and has developed considerable experience in supporting organisations adopt new technology as a route to increase operational efficiency.

Industrial Projects
1999–2004: Programme Manager; West Midlands e-Portal, regional e-Business programme. Advantage West Midlands
2004- 2006: Interim Director/ Founder ; Serious Games Institute; an international centre focused on supporting the growth of the UK serious games industry, incorporating support to companies who are seeking to develop new products or services which utilise digital content
2005- 2006: Programme Manager; Diversify the Games Industry, a regional brokerage service designed to support computer games developers who are seeking to diversify into Serious Games
2006: Director – eWorking Applied Research Centre; a new initiative bringing together the Location Independent working activities of Coventry University, providing a UK focal point, research centre, technology showcase and delivery team. The eWorking ARC are currently working with the NHS, Local Authorities and a number of major companies.
2008 - Programme Director - Soft Landing Zone - a national UKTI programme to support UK companies in the development of international R&D projects through overseas collaboration.
2009 – Current Day Director (Serious Games Institute) ; a new centre aiming to support the economic regeneration through the exploitation of 3D and Virtual World (gaming) technology. The Centre is focusing upon application development within the field of Intelligent transport, tourism, health and security.

Directorships
1999- 2009: Director – European Innovation Ltd. (Innovation Management)
2004 - 2006: Director – The Edutainers Ltd. (Serious Games)
2005 - 2008: Non Executive Director – UK Unplugged Ltd. (Wireless tourism)

Summary of presentation
Tim Luft will give an overview of the different mobile platforms (from I-Phone, Android, Windows 7, Blackberry etc.) looking at key trends and corporate strategy. Furthermore, he will present the work of the Serious Games Institute and its Mobile Apps Development Lab. Tim Luft will also discuss some innovative business models using examples of serious games companies making money from mobile platform and present new technology offering real opportunity - augmented reality, facial image recognition etc. His key note will include examples of Serious Games on Mobile Platforms: - HealthCare training Apps delivered on an I-Phone - Automotive - Working with large automotive companies to integrate vehicle telematics and entertainment systems on a mobile devices - Heritage and Tourism - Augmented Reality in action across museums and tourist locations - Police and Military - Mobile Apps used for Crime Scene/ Forensic analysis Tim Luft will also provide a look into the future of serious games delivered across mobile platforms (mobile adverts, micro payments etc.)