UK public-service broadcaster Channel 4 is pumping some timely funds into the Dundee, Scotland economy, just a week or so after that city’s RealTime Worlds entered into administration.
According to the Herald Scotland (thanks The Escapist), the one million pound infusion (approximately $1.55 million U.S.) will be used to commission “apps and games” based on the TV shows Come Dine With Me and Peep Show from Tag Games, as well as a Facebook game from Dynamo Games, which will draw on various Channel 4 shows such as Gok Wan’s How To Look Good Naked.
Additional funding will go towards the production of a three-part television series on the Dundee games business, which will be produced by Headlight Scotland.
Channel 4 Creative Diversity Media Project Manager Ian Mackenzie stated, “This is a very positive counter point to the bad news of Realtime Worlds. This investment is one example of people recognising the talent that is in Dundee.”
“In some ways the spotlight coming off Realtime will now come on to companies like Tag or Dynamo, who are much smaller, part of the next generation of games companies,” added Tag Games Chief Paul Farley.
Scottish Minister for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop used the opportunity to call for government assistance to the game sector, saying:
Scottish-based games developers must be allowed to compete on a level playing field. That is why it is particularly disappointing that the UK Government has so far failed to listen to the industry and the Scottish Government on the crucial issue of tax breaks.
The Tag Games and Dynamo Games investments also received “joint investment from the Digital Media IP Fund, managed by Creative Scotland on behalf of Scottish Enterprise.”
