The UK government’s Technology Strategy
Board has announced (and not for the first time) that it’s putting its weight behind the creative media sector, this time by way of a competition designed to encourage digital innovation in the games sector.The competition promises “investment” of up to £25,000 (excluding VAT) for five businesses that can demonstrate “innovative commercial prototypes” meeting a number of “broad objectives”, defined by TSB in conjunction with industry partners. The competition requires entrants to develop these prototypes to support a range of applications, from “open street maps” to “games and cinema”.
No doubt some of the 113 games studios that have set up shop in the UK over the past year or so will be attracted to such an initiative. Attracted not so much for the “rich” financial rewards, but for the potential kudos of being able to trial their solutions with some of the big names underpinning the competition – organisations including Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Crytek UK, ODEON Cinemas and Pinewood Studios.
