A partnership based at Abertay University in Dundee is to support the development of narrative-based, immersive video games like Grand Theft Auto.
The InGAME creative cluster in Dundee will team up with StoryFutures Academy for the Immersive Game Lab & Commission.
Twelve writers and narrative designers will be selected from the creative industries to take part in a bespoke workshop on March 31st and April 1st 2020, that will train them to work on story-led immersive videogames.
Over four weeks, shortlisted writers will then co-design an idea for a game in collaboration with a Dundee games developer studio. They will pitch these ideas to an expert panel who will select one to receive £50,000 of funding for a further 12-week development period.
After user testing, audience insight and commercialisation support from InGAME, the completed project will be shown at a high-profile UK games industry event in the autumn.
Narrative-led, immersive games are viewed by many as an art form on a par with film-making and best-selling titles in the genre include some incarnations of the Dundee-born Grand Theft Auto and Assassin's Creed.
Sean Taylor, Director, InGAME says: “We are delighted to be partnering with StoryFutures Academy to bring this opportunity to Dundee. This collaboration enables writers and developers to come together and push forward the potential of narrative-led games.
"From Lemmings to Grand Theft Auto to Crackdown, Dundee has a rich history of game design innovation and we’re excited to support the development of the next generation of immersive games.”
The closing date to apply is 24th February, 2020.
