Newsbrief: Today UK-based video game industry association TIGA announced that two initiatives that UK-based devs can take advantage of, and which it championed, have made it into the UK government's latest budget.
The first is the £4 million Prototype Fund, designed to help startups develop project prototypes. The second is a further £4 million investment in the existing Skills Investment Fund, which offers matching funds for training programs in creative industries, including video games.
"TIGA applauds the new support promised by the Chancellor in the Budget for the UK video games sector. Following the achievement of Games Tax Relief, TIGA’s top priority has been the achievement of a new Prototype Fund to enable start-up studios to access finance and develop playable prototypes. TIGA also called for the maintenance of the Skills Investment Fund, a measure that enables more studios to invest in skills, training and workforce development," TIGA CEO Dr. Richard Wilson said in a statement.
There are a few more details at TIGA's site; the Skills Investment Fund is managed by Creative Skillset. It's unclear, as yet, how devs can access Prototype Fund monies.