Games Up? campaign signs final round of sponsors

The Games Up? campaign – a major collaboration between most of the major players in the UK video games development industry, today announced that a further three industry sponsors have signed up to help fund the campaign in its final stages.

The new sponsors are: Qantm - a creative digital media educational provider, Media Molecule  - the studio behind the much anticipated LittleBIGPlanet and independent developer – Splash Damage. The other backers are Sony, Microsoft, Frontier, EA, Take Two, Bizarre / Activision, Eidos, Ubisoft, Sports Interactive / Sega, NCSoft, Real Time Worlds, Blitz, Jagex, Relentless and Exient.

"We're really proud to be able to provide the final round of funding for the Games Up campaign", said Paul Wedgwood, Owner and Studio Director of Splash Damage, "These are exciting times for the UK games industry, and with better support from the the government and universities, we'll see an even healthier increase in our sector's contribution to the UK economy."

Chris Lee from Media Molecule added:

“It's important for us, as individual studios, publishers and the industry as a whole to be proactive and help the government understand what we do. Being part of the Games Up campaign is a big step towards achieving that."

Nic Oliver from Qantm College concluded:

“As a college that prides itself on strong industry relations we feel that a close and direct involvement with the Games Up? Campaign will support out graduates future place of employment. 
It is vital that every sector of an industry play its role in supporting the bigger picture and we feel that by working with Games Up? we are contributing to that.”

Tiga CEO, Dr Richard Wilson, outlined the Campaign’s gratitude at the support that it has received from industry. “I would like to thank all those companies who have given their backing to this Campaign. Games UP? has successfully raised awareness in the national media and in Parliament of the opportunity that games development presents to the UK in economic, social and educational terms, while setting out clearly the threats to its survival. This intensive awareness-raising programme would not have been possible without their continued support”.

The final stage of the  Campaign will see a range of meetings with Parliamentarians and ministers from September to November, and will now culminate in the submission to the Treasury which will set out the need to for Government to act.