Help at least 30 low-income devs get to Develop:Brighton

Help Into Games raise at least £2000 to break down the main financial barrier holding back talented game developers from low-income backgrounds from attending this year's event.

Develop: Brighton's Expo is free to attend, and there are many opportunities for people to connect directly with passionate and generous sector professionals. However, getting there and sustaining yourself at the event can be almost impossible for those facing financial hardship.

We know that networking is one of the main ways a young developer can get hired in the industry. If you are from a low socioeconomic group, no matter how talented you are, not being able to attend these events will absolutely reduce your chances of finding work.

To create a fairer sector, we need to create ways of levelling the playing field. This travel bursary is a small way to make that happen.

What we have already done

Initially, Into Games partnered with Ustwo Games to create a travel bursary for Develop:Brighton. Into Games has previously successfully run bursary ticket programmes for other games career events like WASD, Gamebridge and EGX.

The bursary was launched on the 25th June and was immediately overwhelmed with applications, many more than we could feasibly fund. We are currently supporting 20 people at the event, and we'd like that to be closer to 50, although we have received over 100 applications so far, so we need help and funds urgently!

Who are Into Games?

Into Games is a non-profit that focuses on creating a more equitable path for UK games careers.

Who gets the money, and what do they get?

Recipients must be 18+ and have a right to live and work in the UK.

This is aimed at those from working-class and low-income backgrounds. Recipients will have been eligible for free school meals growing up, be a care-leaver, or come from a family where parents/carers had an income of less than £40k.

Depending on the amount we raise, this may be opened up to those currently receiving Universal Credit.

Recipients will receive the full cost of their travel back and forth to the event. In addition, they will also receive support in setting up a meeting with a sector professional in their relevant field.

How have you decided on a goal?

On average, travel costs have been roughly £65 per person.

What if you don't raise enough?

Any money raised will go straight to getting people to Develop:Brighton, so there is no risk of not achieving a good outcome here :)

What if you raise more?

We have a big waiting list of people who would happily take advantage of this. If this is exhausted, we will use extra funds to provide food and drink vouchers for attendees and cover extra expenses where possible.

How can you help support?