Platform 2012, a huge showcase of the digital gaming and entertainment sector, is aiming to attract up to 10,000 visitors with its unique combination of education, business and fun.

It takes place at the University of Hull over the weekend of March 17 and 18 and has secured a list of well-known industry experts and exhibitors, with more to be announced over the coming weeks.

Organiser Lindsay West said: “It is a full weekend where delegates can meet people who are at the cutting edge of this massive global industry, as well as taking part in a full programme of fun, games-themed activity.”

Confirmed exhibitors include international games company, Ubisoft, which is hosting a Just Dance 3 stage and bringing ‘live’ Rabbids from Rayman Raving Rabbids. High street retailers Game and Game Station will do demos from PS Vita and Nintendo 3DS.

Speakers at the event include Charles Cecil, MBE, of Revolution Games, who is regarded as an ‘industry legend’; Mark Estdale of OM, the UK’s most experienced dialogue production team working with video games; Steve Ince, an award-nominated writer and designer with 18 years of game development experience; Louis Harwood of leading independent app development company Avalore Studios and The Triune; Arif Majothi of Arif Games; Sonia Leong,manga specialist; MasokoX of TeamFourStar; Akemi Solloway Tanaka, Japanse culture expert, and Missy Tetra, a UK-based award-winning cosplayer.

Game Republic, an industry-led games network that supports and promotes the Yorkshire and UK games industry will put on two workshops with panels of experts.

Entertainment for visitors includes a retro gaming section, a LAN gaming event featuring Call of Duty Black Ops and more, a Cosplay hall and Cosplay parade and family entertainment in the form of Skylanders and ‘live’ Star Wars characters.

For exhibitor, sponsor and tickets information: www.platformexpos.com