Mark Cerny, the chief 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 new initiative is a philanthropic fellowship designed to give financial backing, mentorship, and industry connections to the next generation of video‑game designers.
According to a report from Game File, the Nova Games Foundation will distribute $100,000 grants to twenty promising designers annually. About a quarter of those awardees will be eligible for a further boost of up to $500,000 for projects that demonstrate exceptional promise or innovative potential. The program is completely independent of The Game Awards and has no formal affiliation with PlayStation, ensuring that its focus remains on nurturing creative talent rather than serving corporate interests. One of the most compelling aspects of the fellowship is the mentorship component.
Recipients will be paired with seasoned veterans from the gaming industry who can provide guidance on design, production, and business strategy. Importantly, the foundation guarantees that developers retain full ownership of their intellectual property.
Fellows are free to seek publishing deals or platform partnerships of their choosing, while the Nova team can facilitate introductions and networking opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach for emerging creators. The application window opens in December and will remain open through 2026 and 2027 for graduates of thirteen partner university programs spread across eight countries. These institutions include TH Köln in Germany, RMIT University in Australia, Cnam‑Enjmin in France, Abertay University in Scotland, and the United States duo of New York University and the University of Southern California. By targeting students from a diverse set of academic environments, the foundation hopes to capture a wide range of cultural perspectives and design philosophies.
Both Cerny and Keighley are personally investing multi‑million‑dollar sums into the foundation, and they have indicated that they intend to continue contributing as the organization expands. Keighley emphasized the purely altruistic nature of the venture, stating, "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." This sentiment underscores the belief that the most valuable outcome is the enrichment of the medium itself, not a financial payoff. The foundation’s leadership team includes John Maconga as executive director and Ashley Corrigan, former director of the Game Developers Conference, as head of grants. Their experience in event production and grant administration is expected to streamline the selection process and ensure that funds are allocated efficiently. Additionally, Josef Fares, the director known for It Takes Two and Split Fiction, has pledged both a monetary donation and ongoing support for the program.
Fares expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "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." Cerny framed the initiative as a way to champion games as an artistic medium. He cited several titles that have pushed the boundaries of interactive storytelling and visual design—such as Neva, Abzu, Gorogoa, Stray, and Outer Wilds—as exemplars of the kind of work Nova hopes to enable. By providing resources to developers who might otherwise struggle to secure funding, the foundation aims to foster a new wave of games that prioritize artistic expression, emotional resonance, and innovative mechanics. Keighley's inspiration for the fellowship model draws from several personal experiences.
He once applied unsuccessfully for a Rhodes Scholarship, an episode that highlighted the scarcity of opportunities for talented individuals without substantial backing. He also referenced the MacArthur Foundation’s "genius grants" as a template for rewarding creativity without imposing restrictive conditions.
Finally, he mentioned Jenova Chen, the USC graduate behind critically acclaimed titles like Flower and Journey, whose own journey from student project to industry landmark illustrates the transformative power of supportive mentorship and financial freedom. In practice, the Nova Games Foundation will operate much like a seed‑fund accelerator, but with a distinct emphasis on artistic integrity and creator autonomy.
Fellows will receive not only capital but also access to a network of industry professionals, potential collaborators, and publishing contacts. The foundation will also host workshops, panels, and showcase events where developers can present their work to a broader audience, receive feedback, and refine their concepts.
The broader gaming community has responded positively to the announcement. Observers note that the combination of sizable grants, mentorship, and the guarantee of IP ownership addresses many of the pain points that indie developers face today, such as cash flow constraints, lack of exposure, and the pressure to relinquish creative control to larger studios. By removing these barriers, Nova hopes to stimulate a more diverse and experimental landscape of games, encouraging creators from underrepresented backgrounds to bring their stories to life.
Looking ahead, the foundation plans to track the progress of its fellows through regular check‑ins and post‑grant reporting, not to monitor financial returns, but to gauge artistic impact and community reception. Success stories will be highlighted in newsletters and at industry events, providing role models for future applicants and demonstrating the tangible benefits of philanthropic investment in game development.
In summary, the Nova Games Foundation, spearheaded by industry veterans Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley, represents a bold commitment to nurturing the next generation of game designers. By offering substantial financial support, mentorship from seasoned professionals, and the freedom to retain ownership of their creations, the program aspires to cultivate innovative, artistically driven games that push the medium forward. The initiative stands as a testament to the belief that creative generosity can yield cultural richness, inspiring both creators and players alike.