Mark Cerny, the architect behind PlayStation, is concluding his career and wishes to give back to the industry. He’s teamed up with Geoff Keighley, creator of The Game Awards, to launch the Nova Games Foundation. This nonprofit aims to provide financial support and mentorship to game design graduates, awarding 20 fellowships a year, each worth $100,000, with the potential for additional funding based on project success.
Cerny expressed a desire to support new voices in the gaming industry, emphasizing the philanthropic nature of this initiative. Notable figures like Josef Fares, known for his successful co-op games, have already pledged support through donations and mentorship. Thirteen universities, including NYU and USC, will participate, and the program aims to start accepting applications in December for students graduating in 2026 and 2027.
