The head of the UK Games Fund has said the sector could learn lessons from the music industry over new talent development.
Paul Durrant said that the use of smart contracts which use digital technologies to allow individuals to collaborate on a project but, crucially, receive credit for their work could be a workable model for games industry start-ups.
The use of such contracts has been pioneered by the music industry through the likes of Imogen Heap, who last year released her single and video Tiny Humans on a block chain database.
The block chain platform automatically records the creative input of a third party, allowing their work to be properly accredited and remunerated.
Mr Durrant said it was a business model that cut out the middlemen and had the potential to turbocharge new games development.
“What is happening in the music industry is interesting, important and quite novel,” he said.
“What I am trying to do is bring that to the games industry.
“We are experimenting with that.”
Mr Durrant was speaking as the Dundee-based UK Games Fund launched its Transfuzer new talent development programme and named Abertay University as the East Scotland regional hub for the games industry.
Glasgow Caledonian will be the West Scotland hub, and there are nine other regional centres across the UK.
Mr Durrant said Transfuzer is designed to develop the next generation of creative leaders like Dundee’s Chris van der Kuyl and Dave Jones.
Graduates looking to break into the games development industry are being invited to apply individually or as part of a team for grant funding of up to £5,000.
Further follow-on commercialisation cash of up to £25,000 from the UK Games Fund is available to successful pitchers at the Transfuzer showcase in September.
“I’m delighted to have realised a long-time ambition of joining up early-stage talent recognition and showcasing with prototype funding,” Mr Durrant said.
“The way in which Tranzfuser will become a fresh talent pipeline for the UK Games Fund is a real first.
“Tranzfuser teams that win our funding will become the top tips for future success.”