The games industry in the UK is to receive a ten million pound boost, courtesy of the British government. A specialist centre at Abertay University in Dundee in Scotland is to be the lucky recipient of the cash, in order to assist software development companies to create new projects.
Scottish game developers are set to receive a further million in European money, while the British government will also give one million to a linked centre in Manchester’s Media City UK. The Dundee based project plans to create thirty new software companies, help another eighty already in existence, in the process creating four hundred new jobs and giving new skills to a further three hundred workers. “This is a great day for the games industry and really good news for Dundee,” says Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy. “Dundee has always been a city of innovation and has a well earned reputation as the heartland of Scotland’s gaming industry… This investment now confirms Dundee as one of the key centres in the UK as well, and will allow Abertay University to grow Scotland’s international reputation for its talents in video games creation.” Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop echoed his sentiments, noting, “Games are a Scottish success story and a vital part of our creative industries. This funding underlines the Scottish government’s commitment to supporting and developing the games industry in Scotland.”
The founder of games development company Realtime Worlds, Dave Jones, is also very happy with the news, pointing out that “Using a prototype fund to provide computing and arts students with the opportunity to get hands on experience of real projects will help equip them better for working in our high growth industry and help feed the demand we have for talent.”
