£5m project to create hundreds of graduate jobs in the computer games industry

Up to 400 new jobs are to be created in the computer games industry following the launch last week of a £5m project to be run by Abertay University in Dundee.

The first phase of the £5m project is a £2m fund to invest in new computer games prototypes, creating new businesses and giving fledgeling companies the chance to attract further investment by developing their intellectual property. The fund is open to applications from any eligible company located in the UK.

Paul Durrant, the director of business development at Abertay University, said talented students and graduates would also gain valuable work experience opportunities on project teams. ‘This funding creates a unique win-win situation: jobs and businesses are created, students and graduates get real world experience, and partners get high quality games and products to invest in,’ he explained.

He added that the project would fuel the future growth of the sector, giving ‘talented games developers and digital artists the opportunity to turn their innovative ideas into complete, working prototypes they can showcase to investors.’

The project was launched by Ed Vaizey, the culture minister, at the Develop Conference in Brighton, an annual gathering of UK games developers. Financial support for the project came from the UK government, the European Regional Development Fund and Abertay University.

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Posted by Alison_TARGETjobs on 19 July 2010

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