New game start-up workspace Playhubs opens in London

A new game start-up training workspace called Playhubs has been launched by a team of industry veterans in London.

The not-for-profit venture has been founded David Gardner (pictured), David Lau-Kee, Paul Heydon, Chris Lee and Nisha Valand. The workspace will offer promising start-ups desk space, access to wi-fi and the chance to meet with experts and potential investors, as well as other start-ups on the programme.

Those on the programme will also be able to keep all the rights to their IP, unless otherwise negotiated with an investor.

The space fits around 40 people and will cost each person £500 per month. For those looking to use Playhubs as a drop-in destination, team members can pay up to £150 per month to access the space up to five days each month.

Membership is described as “extremely limited”, and will only be open to prove teams or those with “exceptional talent”.

Speaking at the launch event last night, Gardner said he wanted to foster a greater sense of community at Playhubs and the wider London industry, likening their goals to the culture of the Finnish development scene, which has spawned numerous successful companies in recent years including Supercell and Rovio.

To that end, Gardner hopes Playhubs will become a hub for the whole London games sector, and plans to host community events there in future, including regular Q&A sessions, fire-side chats, panels and social evenings.

For more information on Playhubs and how you can take part, visit the official website.