Abertay University reveals sponsors backing Dare Academy Game Design Competition

Abertay University reveals sponsors backing Dare Academy Game Design Competition

Abertay University’s Dare Academy competition will be supporting six potential new video games start-ups this summer thanks to a partnership agreement with four companies with strong links to the industry.

The student games design teams will receive mentorship and support from this year’s Dare Academy sponsors which include long-standing partners Lindsays, Henderson Loggie and Dell as well as new partners, Unity, who join for the first time this year.

All four businesses will be engaging with the six teams that have made the final stages of the contest as they take their games from concept through to creation over an intense period of summer hot-housing, before going on to showcase prototypes at the EGX game development expo in London.

Dare Academy has a long track record of producing successful start-up companies, with teams including Bit Loom, Puny Astronaut, and many others going on to achieve critical and commercial success as fully-fledged businesses.

Over the course of the competition each of our sponsors will use their expertise to support the teams:

Lindsays will provide the teams with insight into what they need to consider to be successful in industry including intellectual property (IP) law, employment issues and other legal considerations.

Meanwhile Henderson Loggie will sharing their significant expertise in the creative industries sector to provide the teams with insights and advice on accountancy, tax, business start-up and growth.

Unity will be on-site to support the teams with insights into industry best practices, and how best to optimize and polish their games so they achieve maximum impact at EGX.

Tech giant Dell are returning to help connect students to their industry partners, and to provide mentorship on presenting work and showcasing the final games.

Tim Jenks, Senior Manager of Solutions Games at Unity said: “Abertay’s Dare Academy has been at the forefront of student creativity for many years. It allows students to show off their creative talent and prepare for their future in industry.

“Unity is proud to be mentoring the student teams at Dare Academy in 2022. We can’t wait to see what amazing games and experiences the teams create in time for EGX.”

Kate Wyatt, a Partner at Lindsays in Dundee, added: “The creativity and success of the gaming industry in Dundee and throughout Scotland is incredibly exciting. Our inventors and innovators are making an impact internationally as people across the world enjoy their work.

“The bedrock of that success is ensuring they are equipped with the skills needed to succeed, creatively and economically. Dare Academy helps achieve that.

“Not only does it allow them to showcase their creative talent, but also to gain expert insight into business aspects such as dealing with copyright, employment issues and much more.

“As creators navigate the metaverse, wider business awareness can significantly enhance the chances of them celebrating a blockbuster release. The team here at Lindsays is delighted to once again be supporting the Academy and working with finalists to share our experience.”

Dusan Petras, Global Portfolio Manager at Dell added: ““Dare Academy is an outstanding showcase on how games are becoming the next generation’s STEM field of choice.

“It’s amazing to see such young talents at the start of their journey as developers and being able to help them grow is an honor.”

Stephen Bain, Partner and Head of Games & Digital at Henderson Loggie, said: “We are really excited to be back as sponsors for another year of Dare Academy. It will be great to meet the finalists in person and follow them as they progress through the competition, whilst also helping them with start-up business and tax advice, should they wish to set up their own indie studio after university.

“We have always been blown away by the level of talent that Dare Academy produces, and it’ll be brilliant to see what the teams can achieve this year and get hands on with their games over the next few months. We are extremely proud to be able to continue to support Abertay University and the thriving games industry in Dundee.”

Dr Dayna Galloway, Head of the Division of Games and Arts at Abertay University said: “We are hugely grateful to our Dare Academy partners, both for their continued sponsorship of the competition and the incredible value they bring to our teams through guidance and mentorship throughout the process.

 “Preparing our graduates for working in industry and having the skills and confidence to set up their own businesses is a core part of what we do within the Division, and across the University more widely, so it’s fantastic to have the real-world expertise from our partners adding value to the process.”