Scottish govt to fund international Dare entries
Abertay-based competition to feature two overseas teams thanks to £60,000 award
The University of Abertay, Dundee, has announced that its industry-backed development competition, Dare to be Digital, will include two international teams this year thanks to a GBP 60,000 sponsorship fund from the Scottish government.
The teams, which will come from India and China, will work alongside teams from the UK in the ten-week event to take place this summer in Dundee, with three winners eventually battling it out for a BAFTA gong next year.
"In supporting Dare to be Digital, the Scottish government is recognising the innovative opportunities this exemplary programme offers," said Culture Minister Michael Russell. "As well as giving some of our most talented young digital designers exposure to mentors in the gaming industry, we are welcoming motivated and talented people from overseas, showcasing Scotland as a great place to live, work and study."
And Abertay's director of business development, Paul Durrant, added: "The videogames industry is expanding rapidly with annual growth of 11 per cent and a projected global turnover of USD 46 billion. In the present economic climate, investment in the talent base that underpins the industry is vital and a global industry requires a globally sourced talent base so we are delighted that the Scottish government has recognised the international dimension in this way."
The sponsorship adds to cash already pledged by Turner Broadcasting, Autodesk, Adobe, amBX, Microsoft, Liverpool John Moores University, Scottish Enterprise and Dundee City Council, and follows a decision by the Scottish government to set up a GBP 3 million Centre of Excellence for Computer Games Education at the university.