Code Coven Unveils Inaugural Aurora Accelerator and Agency Cohort

Code Coven has unveiled the inaugural participants in its Aurora Accelerator and Agency program, comprising three UK-based game development studios. The selected studios are Fast Loris Studios from Yorkshire, Glowfrog Games, a women-led studio, and Hologram Ghost, a small independent game developer. Each of these studios has a flagship game featured in the accelerator program: Fast Loris Studios is working on Walkies: Tails of the Sanctuary, a cozy adventure game; Glowfrog Games is developing Pieced Together, a scrapbooking title; and Hologram Ghost is creating a cyberpunk dramedy adventure. Helen Smailes, co-founder of Fast Loris Studios, expressed her enthusiasm for joining the Aurora program, citing the value of connecting with a community that understands the challenges faced by underrepresented voices in the gaming industry. Smailes emphasized that the mentorship, structure, and support provided by Aurora are invaluable in helping her studio develop business skills, achieve sustainable growth, and contribute to a more inclusive gaming industry. Claudie Cote-Bergeron, founder of Hologram Ghost, also shared her expectations, looking forward to expanding her professional network, enhancing her leadership and business management skills, and exploring opportunities for funding and support. Applications for the next Aurora cohort, scheduled to commence in late 2025, are now open. Eligible developers must be based in the UK and demonstrate at least 50% marginalized gender leadership. Earlier this year, GamesIndustry.biz interviewed Code Coven's CEO, Tara Mustapha, about the company's latest initiative and its efforts to support marginalized developers in building sustainable studios. In October last year, Code Coven received £510,000 from the BFI National Lottery Innovation Challenge to fund its Aurora and Agency initiative.