Dundee to host best new talent in video games

Inaugural UK Games Fund Awards will take place in November

The best new talent in British video games will be celebrated at a gala event in Dundee later this year.

The inaugural UK Games Fund Awards will take place at Apex City Quay Hotel on November 14.

The UK Games Fund (UKGF) was set up to help new developers get off the ground. The not-for-profit organisation offers grants of up to £25,000 for fledgling developers.

The event will be hosted by renowned video games critic Jordan Erica Webber, who writes for The Guardian and is the resident gaming expert on Channel 5’s The Gadget Show.

Organised by DC Thomson Media Events and the UK Games Fund, Dundee games developers 4J Studios will be the title sponsor of the awards.

Chris van der Kuyl, chairman of 4J Studios, said: “These awards recognise the best in new British games development talent and are a great way to highlight the variety and depth of new games being made in the UK.

“Having been an independent development company for almost 15 years, we know just how tough it is to get your first ideas off the ground, and UKGF is a unique organisation providing funding at a stage when it is generally unavailable to new studios.

“Celebrating the success of UKGF and the studios that it has supported is something that 4J Studios believes will help bring more attention to this great organisation, and we are looking forward to seeing some great teams win on the night.”

The awards are expected to capitalise on Dundee’s vibrant games development heritage and future potential.

UK Games Fund director Paul Durrant said: “4J’s title sponsorship represents a highly appropriate partnership for the UK Games Fund Awards.

“Together with DC Thomson Media, we share 4J’s aim to reinforce Dundee’s reputation as one of the UK’s premier creative talent hubs.

“Our UK Games Fund Awards event is designed to complement the city’s vibrant games development community in demonstrating all that Dundee has to offer, and 4J’s track record in international sales is a fantastic example of that capability.”

Other sponsors include 71 Brewing, Ninja Kiwi, Henderson Loggie and Hyper Luminal Games.

Visit www.ukgamesfundawards.com for more information.

The awards will be hosted at Apex City Quay Hotel at the waterfront.