Dundee’s under-pressure computer games industry has received a timely boost after Channel 4 revealed it was ploughing £1 million into the sector.
Tag Games and Dynamo Games are set to benefit from the new funding after the major broadcaster commissioned a series of projects to convert hit TV shows such as Come Dine With Me and Gok Wan’s How To Look Good Naked into digital games and apps.
TV production company Headlight Scotland will also produce a three-part television series exploring the Dundee games sector.
The move comes just days after the city’s biggest games company Realtime Worlds collapsed into administration with the loss of 194 jobs.
A further 27 posts were also recently axed at the city’s Cohort Studios, it was announced on Thursday.
However, it seems there is light at the end of the tunnel with the confirmation of the new development cash from Channel 4.
Staff at Tag Games at Seabraes House in Greenmarket have been commissioned to create apps and games based around TV shows such as Peep Show and Come Dine With Me.
Dynamo Games in the city’s west end is working to create a Facebook game called Beauty Town, which will be based on themes and advice offered in Channel 4 lifestyle shows.
Both commissions have received joint investment from the Digital Media IP Fund, managed by Creative Scotland on behalf of Scottish Enterprise.’Exciting’Paul Farley, managing director of Tag Games, said the investment was “exciting” for the future of the city’s games sector.
“It is a significant amount of money being invested into Dundee games companies,” he said.
“The games industry is far bigger and more diverse than just Realtime Worlds.
“Obviously it is a loss that will have an impact and it is disappointing that some of those jobs might be lost to Dundee, but there are also some really interesting, successful and profitable games companies based in Dundee.”
He added, “It is very exciting to have the investment from Channel 4.
“To have a relationship with a major company like Channel 4 is very positive and puts us in a great position for future growth.”‘World-class talent’Scotland’s culture minister Fiona Hyslop also welcomed the investment into the city’s games industry.
“Dundee’s games industry has been built on the world-class talent that has been, and continues to be, developed in the city,” she said
“I am confident that this world-leading talent will remain in Dundee’s games development sector.
“The announcement of new commissions from Channel 4 is clearly good news for the sector as a whole and will provide some confidence to those working in Dundee-based companies.
Describing Realtime World’s demise as “disappointing news for all involved,” she said the Scottish Government would do all it can to minimise the impact of the announcement and protect local highly skilled jobs.
Mrs Hyslop continued, “The indications from the administrators at Realtime Worlds is that there is significant interest from potential buyers wishing to acquire the company as a going concern, thereby retaining the skilled and talented workforce in Dundee and protecting the local economy.”
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user wodi.