Mark Cerny, the visionary architect behind both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and Geoff Keighley, the well‑known host of The Game Awards, Summer Game Fest and Opening Night Live, have joined forces to create the Nova Games Foundation. This initiative is a philanthropic fellowship designed specifically to nurture the next generation of video‑game creators by supplying them with substantial financial backing, mentorship, and industry connections.
According to reporting by Game File, the Nova Games Foundation will allocate $100,000 grants to twenty promising designers annually. About a quarter of those recipients will be eligible for an extra tranche of up to $500,000 when their projects demonstrate exceptional potential or innovative ambition. The money is intended to cover development costs, tooling, staffing, and any other resources the designers need to bring their visions to life.
One of the core tenets of the program is that it does not demand equity or any form of financial repayment. As Keighley explained, "Nova is philanthropy: we aren't taking equity or looking to recoup the grants. The return we're hoping for is creative – helping new voices make games and find their footing." In practice, this means that fellows retain full ownership of their intellectual property and are free to negotiate publishing deals, platform partnerships, or self‑distribution arrangements as they see fit. The foundation can, however, act as a bridge, introducing creators to publishers, platform holders, and other stakeholders who might be interested in supporting or distributing the finished product.
Eligibility for the fellowship is tied to a network of thirteen university programs that have partnered with Nova. These institutions span eight countries and represent a diverse cross‑section of academic approaches to game design. Among the schools are TH Köln in Germany, RMIT University in Australia, Cnam‑Enjmin in France, Abertay University in Scotland, and in the United States, the collaborative program offered jointly by New York University and the University of Southern California.
Applications will open in December and will remain open through the graduating classes of 2026 and 2027, giving students a clear pathway to secure funding before they even leave the classroom. Both Cerny and Keighley are personally financing the foundation with multi‑million‑dollar contributions and have pledged to continue investing as the organization expands.
Their personal involvement underscores a belief that the industry benefits when fresh, experimental voices are given the freedom to experiment without the immediate pressure of commercial success. Cerny has framed the effort as a way to treat games "as an artistic medium," citing a range of titles that exemplify the kind of artistic ambition Nova hopes to foster.
He mentioned games such as *Neva*, *Abzu*, *Gorogoa*, *Stray*, and *Outer Wilds*—each of which pushed boundaries in storytelling, visual design, or interactive mechanics. The foundation’s leadership team includes John Maconga, appointed as executive director, and Ashley Corrigan, a former director of the Game Developers Conference, who will oversee the grant‑making process. Their experience in both the business and creative sides of the industry equips them to evaluate applications fairly and to provide meaningful guidance to fellows throughout the development cycle.
The initiative has already attracted support from notable industry figures. Josef Fares, the director behind acclaimed games such as *It Takes Two* and *Split Fiction*, has pledged both a financial donation and ongoing mentorship.
"I'm proud to support Nova because it gives the next generation of creators the freedom to explore their creativity and hopefully bring their unique visions to life," Fares said, emphasizing the importance of giving emerging talent the resources to experiment without restrictive contracts. Keighley's own inspiration for the fellowship stems from personal experiences with elite scholarship programs. He cites his unsuccessful bid for a Rhodes Scholarship, the prestige of the MacArthur Foundation's "genius grants," and the career of Jenova Chen—creator of *Flower* and *Journey*—as key influences that shaped the philosophy behind Nova.
By mirroring the spirit of those high‑impact awards, Nova aims to provide not just money but also recognition, credibility, and a platform for young designers to showcase their work to a global audience. In summary, the Nova Games Foundation represents a rare blend of substantial financial support, mentorship from seasoned veterans, and a commitment to artistic freedom. By offering $100,000 grants to twenty designers each year, with the possibility of additional funding up to $500,000 for standout projects, the program seeks to lower the barriers that often prevent innovative ideas from reaching the market. The partnership with universities across Europe, Australia, and North America ensures a broad talent pool, while the involvement of industry heavyweights guarantees that fellows receive the guidance and connections needed to navigate the complex landscape of game development.
As the foundation rolls out its first cohort, the gaming community will be watching closely to see how these newly empowered creators reshape the medium and introduce fresh narratives, mechanics, and artistic styles that could define the next decade of interactive entertainment.