Creative Wales has announced the launch of a new fund aimed at supporting the continued growth and development of the nation’s games industry.
Games Scale Up Fund for Wales is aimed at games companies based in Wales that are looking for their next step up – designed to assist in scaling operations, fostering innovation, and expanding their reach, both within the UK and internationally.
Specifically set up to help companies propel themselves beyond development stage, the fund will help take games projects from a pilot to a more substantial and self-sustaining model; by allowing for growth in scope, reach and impact, helping to achieve long-term success and sustainability, while increasing the overall value and influence of the project.
With support available between £50,000 and £150,000 for eligible companies, the new fund marks a significant step in enhancing Wales’ reputation as a key player in games innovation.
The overall aim of the Scale Up Fund is to support companies who need a springboard for their games projects, enabling them to develop further so they are eligible to apply for Production Funding, a Welsh Government scheme to help companies reach global audiences with high quality content.
The launch of the Games Scale Up Fund for Wales follows recent stats revealing that the digital sector achieved a turnover of £303m* in 2023, marking a 16.1% year-on-year increase. While some caution is needed in comparing year on year figures, this underscores the potential of the games sector in Wales.
Penarth-based indie studio Wales Interactive is a major success story for Wales; having received production funding from Creative Wales, which enabled the company to create Maid of Sker, and then go on to create its sequel Sker Ritual – a gothic horror based on Welsh folklore which has achieved major global success in the games charts, and has been shortlisted at the TIGA Awards 2024 taking place this month.
Speaking of his experience, Dr David Banner MBE, CEO & Co-Founder of Wales Interactive, said:“The support from Welsh Government and Creative Wales has been crucial to our success, and I strongly encourage other Welsh companies with ambitious goals to seize the current funding opportunities to fuel their own growth and future achievements.
Having funding to support the most fundamental stage of development can ensure that more Welsh projects and stories reach their full potential and have the best chance to steal that global spotlight.
Seeing our latest game, Sker Ritual, achieve global success this year highlights alone how a small Welsh indie games studio can rise to compete with the giants of the industry.”
Speaking of the Games Scale Up Fund for Wales, Joedi Langley, Interim Head of Creative Wales, said:
“There are huge opportunities for the Welsh games sector, and this new funding initiative will be a real boost to companies who are ready to take ideas forward.
By providing targeted financial support, expertise, and encouraging collaboration, we aim to help Welsh creatives scale their operations and create world-class content for global audiences.”
Applications for the fund are now open, and Creative Wales encourages eligible businesses to apply and take advantage of this exciting opportunity to scale their operations and further enhance Wales’ growing presence within the global games market.
