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A new not-for-profit body designed to celebrate, preserve and interpret videogames for everyone” has been launched in Nottingham.
The National Videogame Foundation is based in the acclaimed National Videogame Arcade in Nottingham’s Creative Quarter and has four main focuses – events, heritage, education and policy-making. Essentially it wishes to preserve and promote video gaming’s cultural impact. It will also be the new driving force behind the annual GameCity festival.
A number of names are involved including Iain Simons, Carl Cavers and Ian Livingstone. Founding patrons include Sumo Digital, Epic Games, Playground Games, Vlambeer and William Pugh.
Its first announced event is a series of teaching and learning summits run in collaboration with the Times Educational Supplement
"We’re tremendously excited to be able to finally announce the National Videogame Foundation to the World,” director Iain Simons said. It’s something we’re very passionate about, but we couldn’t have imagined being able to launch it with a stronger set of partners and activities.
"We’ve got some of the most experienced names in the industry working with us right alongside some of the most exciting new ones. We’re going to ensure that the work we produce is truly reflective of the growing diversity of video games, in terms of players, makers and content."
Sumo CEO Carl Cavers added: "One of the main reasons Sumo were attracted to Nottingham was the NVA and GameCity. It’s great to be able to play a part not just in securing its position as a unique destination in the City, but also to be helping to build its future plans and make it useful for the cultural future of games. It’s a great moment for the industry."
