PS4 architect Mark Cerny to keynote 2013 Develop conference

PlayStation 4 architect and Knack director Mark Cerny will give the keynote talk for the 2013 Develop in Brighton conference, organizers announced today.

Cerny's keynote, titled "Changing the Game: Developing into the Next Generation," will highlight the challenges in developing the PS4 and the lessons developers can learn from the previous console generations. Cerny will also discuss Sony's vision for the future of its next-gen console and the role of the indie community within those plans. He will also discuss his role in the production of platform title Knack, which was unveiled alongside the PS4 in February.

"Following the rave reception Sony received for the PlayStation 4 at E3 earlier this month, we are delighted that Mark Cerny is delivering the Develop in Brighton keynote this year and we fully expect it to be standing room only," said managing director of organizer Tandem Events, Andy Lane.

Cerny began working in the industry when he joined Atari in 1982, where he designed arcade game Marble Madness. Since then, he was worked with Sega on numerous titles including Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and at Universal Interactive Studios, where he served as vice president and then president. At Universal, he also worked closely with Naughty Dog and Insomniac Games on Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon. He founded Cerny Games in 1998 and has served as a consultant on many titles with various companies, including the Resistance, Ratchet and Clank and Jak and Daxter series.

Develop in Brighton will take place at the Hilton Metropole July 9 -11. Tickets to the conference are still available on the event's website.