Sony XDev establishes £25,000 funding scheme

Sony XDev has established a new funding scheme to give small developers the opportunity to win £25,000.

Called PlayStation Pioneers, the new initiative will reward developers for a PlayStation Mobile game concept and will also offer successful candidates the opportunity to work alongside XDev.

The goal of the scheme is to take a concept or prototype and develop it into a playable ‘vertical slice’ that will be ready for user testing in summer next year.

Five finalists of the scheme will be selected to exhibit their titles at the LAUNCH Games Conference at the Birmingham Science Park between November 13th and 14th, whilst also gaining the opportunity to present their concepts to a panel.

The winning entry will then receive £25,000 to continue development on the project.

As a condition of entry, XDev will have the first right of refusal to publish the final game.

The deadline for submissions will be October 31st, with the winner announced at LAUNCH on November 14th.

“PlayStation Mobile is the best platform for the next generation of game developers to get their first game published," said SCEE head of academic development Maria Stukoff.

"I really encourage submissions from recent graduates, game incubators and young start-ups to take a shot at this."

The contest is run in conjunction with Creative England and Birmingham Science Park.

Visit the official website for more information.