The Welsh Government has awarded six independent Welsh game developers a total $1.15 million (£850,000) in funding.
The Games Scale Up Fund for Wales, the first of its kind for the devolved UK nation, was launched earlier this year as part of a campaign by Creative Wales and the UK Games Fund.
The six companies – Cloth Cat, COPA Gaming, Goldborough Studios, Rocket Science, Sugar Creative, and Wales Interactive – have been awarded the funding to “take their games projects from a pilot to a more substantial and self-sustaining model, by allowing for growth in scope, reach and impact.”
“Being backed by the Welsh Government through this scale-up funding isn’t just a headline for us, it’s a true game changer,” said director of COPA Gaming, Osian Williams. “It gives our team the confidence and resources to move forward, grow sustainably and to proudly create uniquely Welsh games for a global audience.”
“Wales has an incredibly talented and ambitious video games industry that’s making its mark on the global stage. This investment is about giving our homegrown studios the financial backing to level up their operations and reach new audiences worldwide,” said the Senedd’s minister for culture, Jack Sargeant.
“I had the privilege of meeting several Welsh developers at GDC in San Francisco, and I was deeply impressed by their creativity and innovation. The feedback they received from international publishers confirms what we already know – Wales is becoming a significant player in the global gaming landscape.”
Creative Wales is currently still welcoming applications for The Games Development Fund, which closes this week (Thursday June 5). It offers between £10,000 to £50,000 to Wales-based businesses developing video and immersive games projects for commercial release.