The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) announced today that it has asked Andy Payne, a key industry figure, to lead the establishment of ‘The Games Consortium’. The ground-breaking new organisation will allow independent video games developers to exploit their games through digital distribution.
NESTA is now also seeking to find up to eight UK independent developers working in social, mobile and traditional gaming to establish the Games Consortium. Expressions of interest are invited by 12 noon on 14th February 2011.
The Games Consortium aims to test a new model to enable UK developers to develop and exploit their games. It is hoped that the collaborative approach of the Consortium will make it easier for developers to attract private finance, and keep more of the profits from their development in the UK. If the Consortium can demonstrate that it is commercially successful, it is hoped that this will provide a model for similar consortia in the industry.
The establishment of the Consortium is being supported by NESTA, with contributions from each Consortium member. It is expected to be self-sustaining after the first year.
Andy Payne said: “I am thrilled to be asked to help build this exciting new venture from scratch, to prove that there are new and exciting business models within the interactive entertainment space, which reward talented and creative people. The UK has shown that it has this talent and creativity, and thanks to NESTA’s support, we can build a publishing entity by developers for developers.”
Jon Kingsbury, Programme Director – Creative Economy, NESTA commented: “The UK has the world’s best developer talent. The Consortium tests how games businesses might work together to exploit successfully their own intellectual property.”
Charles Cecil, Founder and Managing Director of Revolution Software Ltd, commented: “With a wealth of experience from both a games development and publishing perspective, Andy is the ideal person to lead the establishment of the Consortium. Blessed with boundless energy, Andy commands admiration and trust from all sectors of the games industry.”
Interested developers, who fulfil the following criteria, are encouraged to apply:
- UK independent developer ( i.e. not publisher-owned and a UK business with staff in a UK base)
- SME status (fewer than 250 staff and a turnover below £50m)
- A track record of published IP with royalties/income to demonstrate success
- Capable of self-financing development
- Experience in developing games that can be delivered digitally
- Demonstrate the ability to create valuable original IP
- Willing to take a risk and invest in a new and unproven model
- Able to invest £20,000 into the venture within the first year
Full details and the expression of interest form can be found on the NESTA website (www.nesta.org.uk ) and applications should be submitted by email by 12 noon on 14th February 2011 to: gamesconsortium@nesta.org.uk.
