Gaming together for good

Antidote Gamers is a Registered UK charity founded by games industry professionals, parents, educators, and youth workers. Through our contacts and partnerships, we deliver values-based youth programs and events—both in person and online—designed to encourage young people to play and create video games together in a safe and positive environment.

We are committed to creating age-appropriate content that helps children stay safe online, build resilience against toxic behaviours, and thrive in both virtual and real-world spaces. We support mental and physical wellbeing, while encouraging parent–child conversations and signposting teachers, carers, and volunteers to up-to-date resources. Through shared experiences—both on screen and in the room—we nurture values like empathy, humility, and accountability, and develop transferable digital and life skills that prepare children for a connected future.

FOUNDERS

“Let’s collaborate to build an amazing video game playground that is fun, friendly and safe.

For all kids, youth and future generations of gamers to create fond memories of shared adventures.

For future game developers to meet each other and be inspired to create great games and communities for us to experience when we retire”

- Kevin Strange, Founder & CEO

  • Way before I worked in the games industry I grew up with a passion for video games, I am very grateful for memories, friendships and relationships they have helped me create.

    I remember being 7yrs old sitting on my dad’s lap playing Mario Bros G&W passing crates back and forth across two LCD screens.

    Since then video games have gifted me with over four decades of great memories playing, discussing and bonding with my friends, family, coworkers, game developers as well as strangers who became friends.

    I have fond old memories of my best friend and I playing Monty Mole, Daley Thompson's decathlon, Double Dragon, Micro Machines, Golden Axe and Shadow Warriors in our youth I have great new memories of us on my sofa playing Tony Hawks in our 40’s (and of watching my 9yr old kick Tag steal his ramp)

    I have happy memories of my wife (then girlfriend) competing with me in Burnout Revenge & Bomberman and collaborating together on Lego Indiana Jones and Overcooked. Video games continue to connect us to each other, our children and our friends.

    I have lots of memories gaming with my kids, we have shared adventures and emotions Joy, tears, laughter, anger and celebration. Playing Bomberman, Worms, Minecraft, Little Big Planet, It Takes Two, Mario Kart, Luigi’s Mansion, Wii Sports, Halo 2, Fortnite and many more.

    Gaming has provided my family with the ultimate playground for a 5yr, 10yr, 12yr, 17yr, 19yr, 35 and 47yr old to play together.

    I want my children to continue to create fond memories of gaming. I want to collaborate with others who share my passion to ensure all children experience the amazing adventures video games can provide whilst providing them with a positive, safe, friendly and inclusive gaming environment both online and offline IRL (in person) to ensure their memories are positive ones.

“My favourite games are those you play with people in the same room as the connections are stronger, and last longer, and unerringly positive irrespective of what goes on in the game.

I've known Kevin for 25 years, and want to be a part of his amazing vision for future gamers and future game-creators”

- Fred Gill, Co-Founder & CTO

  • My story is similar to Kevin's, and started a decade earlier.

    I was first introduced to the ZX81 by our school maths teacher (thank you Mr Carrington). I couldn't believe that you could give it instructions to do things, and you immediately saw the results on a black and white TV.

    I was hooked. I spent every lunchtime that I could in Mr Carrington's class room, figuring out how to instruct the ZX81 how to do things. I got part time jobs (“spud bashing” a.k.a. potato picking) to buy one for myself.

    As well as programming, I managed to find other people who were into home computers. They were gamers, and a one or two programmers (VIC20). I was also a gamer, having gotten hooked on table-top Space Invaders. It was amazing to me that we could program these computers to play games.

    In the early days of the industry, games were single-player experiences. That didn't stop cooperative and competitive play. High score tables provided the competitive play, and cooperative was via swapping controllers when a life had been lost, usually accompanied with an "I can get through this next section”.

    There are so many memories around getting together at a friend's house (who was lucky enough to own a computer), or at a computer club, to play games together.

    There were many ground-breaking games over the years (inevitable in a fledgeling industry) - 3D Monster Maze was truly terrifying when it was released, and inspired me to write "Revenge of the Purple Bat 3D" for the ZX Spectrum. Sadly, though I approached many publishers, no one wanted to publish it! It didn’t stop me, and I sold my first game to a publisher aged 17 (actually, my dad had to sign as I wasn’t old enough)!

    A small selection of inspirations (there are too many to list): Manic Miner, Jet Set Willy, Chuckie Egg, The Hobbit (through which I found JRR Tolkien), Tranz Am by Ultimate Play The Game (which became Rare), and the "I don't know how they did that" Knightlore.

    My favourite game of all time is Zelda: A Link To The Past (SNES) - because my wife and I spent weeks and weeks of our life playing and mapping out the game to beat it.

    I have similar memories with my now-grown-up-children (both big gamers) with Mario 64, Wii Sports, Zelda, Mario Kart, and more recently Overcooked (apparently I am useless at taking instruction, but “will do” good enough if no one else is around)!

    In the early years, at work we would stay late to play Doom and Quake (mini-LAN parties) - I've lost count of how many, but I remember I won one!

    I've also been fortunate to work on many online competitive / cooperative, and couch-coop games (not an exhaustive list): Blast Chamber, Rollcage, Battleffield: Modern Combat, Crysis2, Crysis3, Syndicate, Titanfall, Unravel, A Way Out, Unravel2, Titanfall2, It Takes Two and Apex Legends (which has squads of three players and the Ping System to recreate the feel of a LAN-party, even if players aren’t in the same room).

    My favourite games are those you play with people in the same room as the connections are stronger, last longer, and unerringly positive irrespective of what goes on in the game.

Our Vision

Build a world wide Youth Movement and Education Platform centered around to the worlds most exciting medium - Video Games

Where young people can make friends, have adventures, have positive gaming experiences, creating fond healthy memories all whilst learning new skills

Providing values based program in a safe, inclusive environment where young people can develop their social skills through co-operation, communication, consideration and coordination. Building trusting relationships with their peers that will grow into lifelong friendships and support networks as they continue to play, explore and create together (Online and In Real Life) throughout their childhoods into adulthood

Inspire, encourage, teach and mentor young people to make a positive impact and contribution to their gaming communities both local and online. Empower the next generation of Game developers, content creators and eSports players

  • Parental ID checks in room with child account verification providing additional level of verification for children adding age appropriate friends that they have met in person.

    We will collaborate with Epic KWS, NSPCC, Ofcom, Khronos and games industry platform holders to create a secure open source digital ID platform to confirm AG players age as well as relevant identity and cultural preferences.

    Ensuring age appropriate content and server access

    Providing cross platform safety tools and parental controls, keeping private information secure, and providing better security through identity checks for friend request approvals

  • We recommend NSPCC Online Safety advice and Game platform parental controls Here:

    We will be running in room parent training as part of our programs

    We are working across the games industry, with platform holders to improve these tools and make them both cross platform and secure (Hardware and Services)

  • Antidote Gamers are creating story driven - drama productions, videos, video games, music, comic books, and card games - Designed to teach online and in room safety as well as our values

    In the future these will be available online and printed for members as part of their welcome pack

Safeguarding is foundational to our strategy

IRL NORWICH VOLUNTEERS

Natalie Strange,

Events Creative Director

  • My love of gaming began at the age of 5 when my dad bought Sonic the Hedgehog for the SEGA mega drive. I have memories of staying up late, watching and playing Sonic and Aladdin.

    We got our first family PC when I was around 10 and found games like Settlers 2, Theme Hospital and Roller Coaster Tycoon, this is when I realised Simulation games were kinda my thing.

    At the age of 12 I found The Sims, and I haven’t lost it yet!! The Sims set me up for playing house and set me down the path of becoming a wife and starting a family, all I ever dreamed of.

    Gaming for me now looks a little bit different. While I still find a rare day here and there to play Civilisation, House Flipper or (of course) The Sims 4, mainly it’s Mario Kart or Wario Ware on the Switch, losing to my 5 year old!

    It’s safe to say, gaming has always been a huge part of my life and always will be.

Ali Raybould,

Communications Director

  • I have always enjoyed playing games with my family. My earliest memories are sitting in the dining room with my grandad playing Sonic and Ecco the Dolphin on the Sega mega drive. A few years later, I was joined by my little sisters and that was the start of our very competitive, family gaming journey.

    We loved to play on the Wii- racing on rainbow road or fighting for the gold medal with Mario and sonic at the Olympic Games.

    I have enjoyed the experience of building wonderful houses in The Sims, just to watch them burn down by a sim with level 1 cooking skill! Once I bought my first Xbox, I began to enjoy the challenge of completing missions on GTA and Tomb Raider.

    These days, I still love to race on rainbow road, this time with my 3 children and my husband. Games bring families together- we laugh, we fight and we secretly Google where the shortcuts are to try and beat each other!

Luke Raybould,

Safeguarding Director

  • I have fond early memories of gaming on the SNES playing Super Mario. Growing up I had access t many consoles, I was a keen gamer, however my brother keener, he frequently beat me and let everyone know about it..

    Over the years, playing games with my wife and children I experienced the fun competitive side of gaming which we all enjoy to together as a family creating lots of learning and bonding opportunities through the arguments, tantrums, laughter and reconciliation for the children and grownups.

    Since joining the education profession it has instilled a passion to ensure the safety of children online. To achieve this face to face experiences are paramount especially in our current world.

    The vision, values and ethos of Antidote Gamers will prepare new players and creators with the skills and positive environment helping them to flourish. I want to help create these environments and opportunities my children as well as the young people in our community

Joseph Betts,

Director of Performance Arts,

Lead Ractor

  • Ever since I was little and discovered walking into a room with a pair of pants on my head, I've loved entertaining people. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have been involved in a number of successful stage productions, concerts and independent films each of which has brought new challenges and lessons to learn.

    Another early memory is watching my older brother unwrapping his first game console, where a whole other world of entertainment was opened up to me and I’ve been hooked ever since!

    Video games have become so much more than pixels on a screen and have become vital to people’s lives. Without them, I would not have been able to keep in touch with a number of friends over the pandemic. Time spent at home alone was replaced with hours and hours searching for resources in “The Forest”, riding out with our posse in “Red Dead Redemption 2”, scoring ridiculous goals in “Rocket League” and fighting off hordes of Mongols in “Ghost of Tsushima”.

    I found myself following game developers and voice actors as I used to follow film directors and actors. I can sit and have a decent series binge and love a movie marathon, but there’s nothing like being IN story. Games like “Uncharted” and the Batman Arkham series made you the lead and there’s no better way to get you invested in a story than that.

    I’ll never get over the bizarre sense of shame and pride I had when my 13 year-old nephew first defeated me in Mario Kart. The joy in his face transported me back to when I first beat his father on “ISS 2” and realised that video games are the only medium where you can be the hero of your own story as well as making you feel like a kid again. I want to be part of that and to make sure no matter the age and game that all gamers can be safe and have fun.

GAMES INDUSTRY VOLUNTEERS

Miłosz Białas,

Director of Marketing Operations

  • Video games stand as a pinnacle of human creativity, merging multidisciplinary talents with technological innovation in a collective effort. Their evolution is a testament to becoming more accessible, progressive, and engaging.

    I believe that Antidote Gamers is pivotal in introducing energetic, young visionaries to push this medium further. I am proud to play a part in this, fostering the next wave of innovation in gaming. We aim to empower the youth to drive video games to new heights, ensuring its growth as a form of art and entertainment that continues to inspire and challenge."

    From the age of 5, when I was naively tucked into bed, unaware of the life-changing event about to unfold, my journey with video games began in a most enchanting manner. Awakened by a sense of newness the following morning, I discovered a fresh addition to my room—a brand new desk cradling an unfamiliar device: a Personal Computer. My father, sharing in my excitement, turned it on to reveal a world of wonders. Among the delights of MS Paint, screensavers, and Minesweeper, the launch of Prince of Persia unveiled a magic unlike any other. I was spellbound by the narrative and animations, a captivation that lit the flame of my enduring passion for video games—a passion that has only grown stronger, shaping the contours of my existence. Looking back, that morning remains one of the most pivotal and magical moments of my life.

    Video games have guided me through innumerable adventures, spanning both the digital realm and the tangible world. They've connected me with extraordinary, insightful individuals—many of whom I now call friends—and inspired me to engage with this medium from every conceivable angle: as a consumer, critic, creator, and advocate.

    Devoting countless hours to developing my fantasy characters and participating in digital battles has not only honed my skills but also enriched my life, sharpening my perception, teaching me English, and exposing me to a plethora of cultures and perspectives. This personal growth has seamlessly transitioned into my professional development as well.

    My path eventually led me into the heart of the gaming industry, where I had the honor of contributing from various perspectives: managing communities at Gameforge, collaborating with media and influencers at Electronic Arts and Techland, enhancing my business skills at QLOC and Galaktus, laying the groundwork for the metaverse at Epic Games, and supporting the creative endeavors of countless developers at AMD.

    Despite the journey being laden with challenges and seemingly insurmountable odds, it has been extraordinarily fulfilling—a path I would tread again without hesitation.

    To this day, I have yet to save the Princess in the original Prince of Persia. Despite engaging in numerous discussions with fellow gamers and seeking their advice and support, and although my skills have vastly improved since I was 5, the Prince's mission remains uncompleted. It appears it will be some time before he achieves his goal, as he now embarks on a different mission...

    This new mission with Antidote Gamers fuels my desire to assist newcomers in preparing for their own epic journeys, nurturing the next wave of adventurers in this magnificent, albeit challenging, field.

Rys Sommerfeldt,

Director of Architecture Software & Hardware

  • He is too lazy to write one but he does love games and helping people

Kris Rose

Director of Advisory Board & Open Standards

  • Under construction until he returns rom vacation

Joe Rozek

Director of Epic, Unity and Godot Engine & Platform Partnerships

  • Under construction

Dave Pither

Director UK Games Industry & Charity Partnerships

  • I will never forget the unfailing joy of couch co-op gaming at mates houses in the late 80s & early 90s.  I still get a nostalgic smile when I think of the times spent playing Speedball, Earthworm Jim, Micro Machines and many, many more on the Amiga & Mega Drive.

    With my first paycheck bought the original PlayStation.  That console and the experiences the game developers made possible blew my mind - Metal Gear Solid changed everything for me and I knew I needed to be a part of this industry.

    I studied Computer Science and Psychology in Liverpool University convinced AI was the future.  During my studies I started working for PlayStation Liverpool as one of their first Network Test Engineers, helping to bring online gaming to players.

    Since that first job in the games industry, I haven’t stopped being a part of it.  Now, 23 years since my first foot in the door, I feel very privileged to say that I have worked for some of the biggest names in the industry – PlayStation, SEGA, Samsung & AMD, and in those roles I have supported hundreds of games throughout the years.

    Gaming is an important aspect of our society, and its growth during the COVID pandemic highlights this.  Gaming brings us all together in a way very little else can.

Luke Valentine,

Director of Software Production & Translation

  • My earliest experience of gaming was on my Atari 2600 back when I got in in 1980

    I still remember how real I felt the alien attack was from playing Galaxians and felt the strong link with gaming and imagination.

    I remember having all the time in the world waiting for tape cassettes to load on the Commodore 64 playing Defender of the Crown and Dungeon Master and how fun Bubble Bobble was to play with my friends.

    Xenon 2 on the Atari ST was the first time I remember how good music could be in games, something that was taken to the next level later on the Dreamcast playing Rez and Space Channel 5.

    My first gaming experience with my wife was playing Zelda: Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64 and then more recently playing It Takes Two.

    I honestly believe that gaming brought me closer with my son and I can’t count the number of Lego games that we played together.

    Working in gaming it was always a treat that we could legitimately play games at work and many hours were spent when I was at Eidos playing Quake II with colleagues and then more recently The Division 2 at AMD.

    It’s been a privilege to not only grow up with gaming but to also grow up with the game industry and now to have the chance to help the next generation.

Alan Ashalley-Anthony

Director of Video Production & Data Analytics

  • Under Construction

Ronan Gallagher

Director of Steam Platform and Valve Partnership

  • My video game story started when my father arrived home one day with a chunky keyboard and a cassette drive.

    We’d somehow managed to procure a Commodore 64!

    From that day forward, I was bent over a copy of Compute Magazine, trying to replicate the code needed to play the featured game in the issue.

    As the years progressed, my family upgraded to a Packard Bell 386SX, which I quickly commandeered making my own Autoexec.bat and Config.sys floppies needed to run my favorite games at the time. This PC was cool but was limited to 8 bit sound and no CD-ROM drive. I needed to upgrade!

    PCs were still extremely expensive at the time, so I got a job at a Car Wash to help pay for my new PC passion and upgrades.

    After several months, I’d secured enough income to upgrade to a used 486DX and the Holy Grail at the time - The Sound Blaster 16 CD-ROM kit! I was ready to go, or so I thought, until I was invited to my first LAN party and realized – I didn’t have a network card in my PC only a 56k modem. (How embarrassing)

    I quickly rectified this by securing a LAN card a few weeks later and was able to experience my first LAN party.

    I was in awe at all of us playing together on the same screen and how seamless it was. It was an amazing experience!

    The LAN parties led to meeting other gamers and PC builders that shared my passion and before long I was offered a job at a local ISP by one of my gaming teammates. I took this job which ultimately led to my current 29 years in the tech industry..

    Gaming has always been a source of camaraderie for me and has led to some of the most important relationships and friendships in my life. I’m so happy to support Antidote Gamers on our mission to provide a secure, safe, and fun gaming experience for a new generation of upcoming gamers!

Georgie Mackenzie

Instructional Design & Development Director

  • Long before I delved into the professional world of Computer Games, Coaching, and Education, pixels and polygons fascinated me with their boundless possibilities.

    On weekends at my uncle's, he introduced me to classics like Prince of Persia, racing games and snooker simulations, sparking my imagination and passion for games and design.

    My first console was an Atari Lynx, this is when gaming became a shared adventure with friends under the apple tree at school. We'd play Gates of Zendocon, Rygar and the fantastic Gauntlet among others during our breaks, swapping consoles and getting lost in the world of pixels and challenges.

    At school I studied the traditional and creative arts; sculpture, photography, computing design & technology, and as I progressed, exploring my creativity through the educational system I did a foundation in Film & Animation and finally completed a degree in Muliti-Media design and Digital animation. This paved the way for my first job as a 3D artist in the games industry, where I worked with some of the big names, EA and Sega.

    However, as I progressed in my career, I began to yearn for a more positive impact. So, I founded my own indie game development company, creating learning and awareness games for high profile clients,the British Council and the Wellcome Trust.

    This was an amazing journey that led me to delve deeper into how we learn and develop, eventually inspiring me to become a coach and educator. Now, I blend gaming with educational, professional and personal goals, empowering students and clients to explore their potential.

    Gaming isn't just a pastime for me; it's a catalyst for connection, creativity, and change. As I continue my journey, I am fueled by the belief that through gaming, we can shape a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Founded in loving memory of Dave Horne and Ian Richardson

Who nurtured, inspired & brought joy to the Original Generation of UK Game Developers

Dave Horne

Ian Richardson