There’s a brand new game development competition in town. Well, the UK. TIGA, the Independent Game Developers Association is launching the competition today, with backing from Abertay University’s Prototype Fund. It was officially announced by creative industries minister Ed Vaizey at this week’s NESTA investment conference.
All clear so far? Excellent. Here’s the actual detail – There are three categories for entries:
- Games On the Move
- Games In The Home
- Social Web Gaming
To keep you on your toes however, there are FOUR awards on offer, with two awards on offer for the social web gaming category.
Each award is a £25,000 grant, plus free TIGA membership and mentoring/support from competition supporters Antix Labs or Turbulenz.
Entries open on Monday 28th of November. The entry form, rules and requirements can be found over on the Knowledge Transfer Network website. There’s a little time to spare, entries close on Thursday 26th January 2012. So you can relax a little and get things done on those sloooow days between Christmas and New Year…
Winners will be judged on their market potential, having a commercially viable business model and the fit with the category briefs.
But don’t just take our word for this, many important people had quotes created for them outlining the awesome in this competition:
Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey said: “Being able to show a potential investor a prototype can make a real difference in securing all-important funding, so this competition will provide direct help to budding developers. I hope that it will prove key to making some brilliant ideas into successful businesses.”
Paul Durrant, Director of Business Development at Abertay University, said: “Abertay University is working hard to give start-ups and young companies the opportunity to create original IP supported by the Prototype Fund and use it to secure funding and grow their companies. Working with TIGA, Turbulenz and Antix gives us a fantastic opportunity to improve the success potential of the companies who receive our support.”
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said: “As the trade association for UK game developers, TIGA is focused on making the UK the best place in the world to do games business. One of TIGA’s top priorities is to improve access to finance for studios. I am delighted, therefore, to be working with Abertay, Antix Labs and Turbulenz in running this competition which will provide finance for small studios to develop game prototypes.”
Told you!
It is, however, a superb opportunity for a company, team or individual with a nice idea, looking for funding to take it forward.