RSSGovernment announces games centre of excellence
Published: 2009-12-09 11:42:11
A new video games industry centre of excellence is to open at MediaCityUK, with a £1 million allocation from the governemnt's Strategic Investment Fund.
The new centre "will help take games and creative content to the next level," said the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. "Companies will gain better understanding of how gamers use their prototype products, providing the opportunity for the product refinement that will lead to enhanced success in the market."
Based in the Media Enterprise Centre (in the south tower of the MediaCityUK studio block), the video games centre grew from a commitment in the Digital Britain report published in June that highlighted the potential for links with Abertay University in Scotland. With complementary funding from individual European Regional Development Fund initiatives in Manchester and Scotland (via the Scottish Government) and from NWDA, a total of up to £10 million funding for the two centres is expected.
The UK Government’s £750 million Strategic Investment Fund was announced in the budget on 22 April to underpin its active industrial strategy "New Industry, New Jobs". It will build UK strengths in innovation, R&D and skills – ensuring UK businesses come into the economic upturn stronger and more competitive.