Creative England’s Gameslab Leeds dishes out nine grants

Following its launch in November, the Gameslab Leeds program from Creative England has now awarded grants to nine developers.

In total that represents 157k worth of investment, safeguarding nearly 40 jobs and creating another 18. Another 75k is looking to be invested by the end of the year, and applications for further grants are now open.

Three of the funded companies featured at this week’s Be More Leeds event – BetaJester, Ocean Spark Studios and D M Media.

BetaJester is working on VR puzzle game Decrypt, which is a brand new IP funded by the Gameslab Leeds program. The title is likened to a modern version of Crystal Maze of Knightmare. Ocean Spark, meanwhile, is preparing for the launch of Tetra: Elemental Awakening and D M Media is developing a procedurally generated 3D wireframe shooter.

Other companies receiving funding include Cooperative Innovations (t/a Barog Games Lab), Torchbearer Interactive, Gentlemen of Science, One to One Development Trust, Fierce Kaiju, New Moon Games, Twelve Oaks Software, Red Kite Games, Enchantainment and GasLight Games.

Gameslab has proven itself to be a tangible and practical force in developing and driving the gaming industry in Leeds forward; the results to date have been fantastic,” Creative England director Solomon Nwabueze said.

Be More Leeds is an opportunity for the companies to showcase their work so far, and demonstrate what they’ve been able to achieve with Creative England identifying their potential, and fully supporting their work.

It is paramount that innovative and disruptive start-ups and SMEs across the digital sector get funding at this crucial stage in their growth, to ensure that these highly creative independents don’t get lost or left behind. We select the companies that we invest in very carefully; we’re working to support the creative economy outside of London, driving inclusive growth by nurturing fascinating IP.”

Creative England has to date invested over 4m in games companies throughout the country.