Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley launch university-affiliated fellowship program
Mark Cerny, PlayStation’s lead architect, and Geoff Keighley have announced the Nova Games Foundation, a philanthropic fellowship program designed to support emerging game developers. The initiative will distribute $100,000 grants annually to 20 young designers, with approximately 25% of recipients eligible for up to $500,000 in additional funding for projects demonstrating exceptional promise.
Recipients maintain complete ownership of their games with no equity demands, and funding is structured around development milestones. The program provides mentorship from established industry veterans alongside financial support. Participants retain full freedom to pursue partnerships with publishers and platforms of their choice, with Nova offering promotional assistance.
Operating independently of The Game Awards and PlayStation, the foundation addresses a gap in accessible funding for aspiring developers by removing traditional equity barriers while providing meaningful financial resources without creative constraints. The program’s “no-strings-attached” model represents a significant investment in game development talent, potentially distributing millions in grants annually while prioritizing creative independence and developer ownership.