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Nova Games Foundation plans to support 20 young game designers with USD 100,000 grants each year.
Selected developers will keep ownership of their games and will not have to give equity to the foundation.
The program could give young developers more freedom to build games before turning to publishers or investors.
A great game can start with a simple idea, but turning it into a finished project takes a lot of effort and, most importantly, funding. Young developers often have the ideas and skills, but they lack the financial strength to transform them into a game. Hiring artists, programmers, and sound designers can be costly. Even a small game can take years to finish.
Nova Games Foundation wants to make this journey a little easier. PlayStation architect Mark Cerny and The Game Awards creator Geoff Keighley launched the foundation to support young game designers. In this philanthropic program, they will offer money, guidance, and industry support to developers who are still at the early stages of their careers.
The timing could not be better. In the last few years, hundreds of developers were laid off; some even faced this tragic fate after delivering a massively successful title. Thus, for young developers, finding a way into the industry can be even harder. Nova could give some of them the chance to work on their own ideas instead of waiting for a major studio to hire them.
According to reports, Nova plans to select 20 young game designers every year. Each person will receive a USD 100,000 grant. Even some developers could also receive up to another USD 500,000 if their games reach certain goals during development.
The first applications are expected to open in December. The first fellows will come from the 2026 and 2027 graduating classes at 13 partner game design programs across eight countries. The list includes schools such as New York University, the University of Southern California, Abertay University in Scotland, Cnam-Enjmin in France, TH Köln in Germany, and RMIT in Australia.
One of the most important parts of the program is ownership. Nova mentioned that it’s a philanthropic institution, so it won’t take any share of the games created by the developers. These young developers will keep control of their projects. For a young creator, this can be a major advantage.
Game development often involves tough choices. A publisher may offer money, yet it can also have its own plans for the game. Those plans can affect the story, design, release date, or target audience. Nova's approach gives creators more room to make those decisions themselves.
Money is only one part of the program. The program will also offer mentorship to young creators from industry veterans. Several well-known game developers have shown interest in helping the fellows. Josef Fares, the creator of It Takes Two and Split Fiction, joined the foundation as a donor and mentor.
The developers will also get help connecting with publishers and promoting their games. They can still decide which companies they want to work with.
Cerny described the foundation as a way to give back to the game industry. Keighley also pointed to scholarship and grant programs as inspiration for the idea. The goal is not simply to find the next huge game; Nova wants to support projects with creative, social, and artistic value.
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For a young developer, USD 100,000 can be a big thing. The money will help them pay a programmer, artist, or writer. It could also cover software, testing, music and other costs. More importantly, it could give a creator time to focus on the game. Many indie developers can’t afford this luxury as they always have to look for funds to keep developing their projects.
The 2025 GDC State of the Game Industry report found that 56% of developers had used their own money to fund their games. Many creators therefore put their personal savings into projects before they know whether those games will succeed.
Finding outside funding is not always easy either. Publishers and investors often want to see a working version of a game before they invest any amount. For a small team, this creates a difficult situation. They need money to build the game, yet they may need to build part of the game before they can get funding.
Nova could help solve some of this problem. A USD 100,000 grant could help a developer build a prototype or an early version of a game. If the project shows promise, more funding could help the team take it further.
The lack of equity is another big advantage for indie creators. Developers will not have to give up part of their company or game to receive the grant. Nova could also help young creators take more risks. A developer with some financial support may be more willing to try a strange idea or build a game for a smaller audience.
However, the program has some limits. Only 20 developers will be selected each year across the globe. In an industry where thousands of developers are willing to step into it, this fellowship's numbers are significantly lower. The first group will also come from selected university programs, so many talented creators outside those schools may not qualify.
Nova will not fix every problem facing indie developers. It can, however, show what is possible when experienced people in the industry put money and time behind new talent.
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Nova Games Foundation arrives at a time when indie developers have struggled most to get their first opportunity. The grant it offers mayn’t be enough to develop a full-phased game, but it will at least help solve basic financial issues. The extra funding could give the strongest projects an even longer runway.
The biggest test will come later. If Nova's fellows go on to make successful games, start studios, and inspire other creators, the foundation could have an impact far beyond its yearly grants. The program could also encourage more industry leaders to support young developers.
Game development needs fresh ideas. It needs new voices and people willing to try something different. Not every great game will come from a major studio with a huge budget. Nova Games Foundation is giving young developers a chance to do exactly that.
What is the Nova Games Foundation?
Ans: Nova Games Foundation is a new initiative created by Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley to support young game designers with funding, mentorship, and industry guidance.
How much funding will Nova Games Foundation provide?
Ans: Each selected fellow will receive a USD 100,000 grant. Around one-quarter of the fellows could also receive up to another USD 500,000 based on their progress.
Will Nova Games Foundation take ownership of the games?
Ans: No. The foundation will not take equity or ownership in the projects. This gives developers more control over their games and creative decisions.
Who can apply for the Nova Games Foundation grants?
Ans: The first group will come from the 2026 and 2027 graduating classes of 13 selected game design programs across eight countries. Applications are expected to open in December.
How could Nova Games Foundation help indie game developers?
Ans: The funding can help developers pay for programming, art, music, software, and testing. Mentorship and industry connections could also make it easier to take their games forward.
