Andy Payne to lead creation of the Games Consortium

03/02/11
The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) announced today that it has asked Andy Payne, a key industry figure, to lead the establishment of 'The Games Consortium'.

The ground-breaking new organisation will allow independent video games developers to exploit their games through digital distribution.

NESTA is now also seeking to find up to eight UK independent developers working in social, mobile and traditional gaming to establish the Games Consortium. Expressions of interest are invited by 12 noon on 14th February 2011. 

The Games Consortium aims to test a new model to enable UK developers to develop and exploit their games. It is hoped that the collaborative approach of the Consortium will make it easier for developers to attract private finance, and keep more of the profits from their development in the UK. If the Consortium can demonstrate that it is commercially successful, it is hoped that this will provide a model for similar consortia in the industry.

The establishment of the Consortium is being supported by NESTA, with contributions from each Consortium member. It is expected to be self-sustaining after the first year.

Andy Payne said:  “I am thrilled to be asked to help build this exciting new venture from scratch, to prove that there are new and exciting business models within the interactive entertainment space, which reward talented and creative people. The UK has shown that it has this talent and creativity, and thanks to NESTA’s support, we can build a publishing entity by developers for developers.”

Jon Kingsbury, Programme Director – Creative Economy, NESTA commented: “The UK has the world’s best developer talent. The Consortium tests how games businesses might work together to exploit successfully their own intellectual property.”

Charles Cecil, Founder and Managing Director of Revolution Software Ltd, commented: “With a wealth of experience from both a games development and publishing perspective, Andy is the ideal person to lead the establishment of the Consortium. Blessed with boundless energy, Andy commands admiration and trust from all sectors of the games industry.”

Interested developers, who fulfil the following criteria, are encouraged to apply:

• UK independent developer ( i.e. not publisher-owned and a UK business with staff in a UK base)
• SME status (fewer than 250 staff and a turnover below £50m)
• A track record of published IP with royalties/income to demonstrate success
• Capable of self-financing development
• Experience in developing games that can be delivered digitally
• Demonstrate the ability to create valuable original IP
• Willing to take a risk and invest in a new and unproven model
• Able to invest £20,000 into the venture within the first year

Full details and the expression of interest form can be found on the NESTA website (www.nesta.org.uk ) and applications should be submitted by email by 12 noon on 14th February 2011 to:  gamesconsortium@nesta.org.uk

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Notes to editors

For further information, please contact Ruth Attride on 020 7438 2609/ ruth.attride@nesta.org.uk or Ellie Murphy on 07990 548023/ ellie@flourishmarketing.co.uk

Additional quotes

Ian Livingstone, Life President, EIDOS
“Content owners today access global markets via high-speed broadband. A consortium of independent developers launching new IP online will benefit enormously from shared marketing, publishing and financial expertise. Andy Payne is the right person to spearhead the development of the consortium. He is experienced, respected and trusted, and will get the job done.”

Richard Wilson, CEO, TIGA
“The Consortium could provide small game developers with another business model for bringing games to market and for retaining and monetising their IP. In Andy Payne the organisation will have a leader who is energetic, effervescent and effective. TIGA wishes Andy and the project every success.”

About Andy Payne
Andy Payne has 25 years of experience in development and publishing in the games industry. He built The Producers, Just Flight, Just Trains, re-launched Mastertronic, has been a key player in formation of GamesAid and has led the transitional change of trade association Elspa into UKIE.
Andy has breath of experience across the industry, including traditional packaged goods publishing, running service led businesses, community focused development and publishing, identifying and servicing the hobbyist market. He was also joint founder the digital distribution platform Get Games.
About NESTA
NESTA is the UK’s foremost independent expert on how innovation can solve some of the country’s major economic and social challenges. Its work is enabled by an endowment, funded by the National Lottery, and it continues to operate at no cost to the taxpayer.
NESTA is a world leader in its field and carries out its work through a blend of experimental programmes, analytical research and investment in early-stage companies. www.nesta.org.uk