EGX Full-Ride Fund 2023

PLEASE NOTE: This fundraiser has no official connection with EGX or its organisers.

General FAQ

What is the EGX Full-Ride Fund?

I’m raising money to create a bursary for UK-based, low-income, and marginalised game developers who are new to the industry, to allow them to attend 2023's EGX expo in London, barrier free.

People from these groups are often unable to attend expensive industry events, let alone the rising costs of transport and accommodation. Games industry events can be hugely beneficial for career growth, and until the industry collectively works together to make them more affordable, the onus is on those of us who are in a position of financial and social privilege to do what we can to bridge that gap.

Who are you?

I’m Dan - a working class lad and formerly low-income member of the games industry. I grew up with very little, and up until landing my first industry job in 2021, constantly struggled with money, unable to hold down a stable job due to my mental health. I’ve been estranged from my family since I was 17, and I was forced to alternate between sleeping rough, signing up to university courses just to have stable funding from student finance to live, and couch surfing.

Nowadays, I’m in a much better position - I’ll soon be Lead QA at Radical Forge. I want to use my privilege to help those who may not be as lucky as I am, to give them the best possible chance to succeed in this industry without financial or logistical barriers stopping them from doing so. The games industry must be open to all.

Why are you raising this money?

As it stands, events with the opportunity for networking in the UK are often highly priced, and are based in major cities where the cost of living is unachievable for many people. As a result of this, people who wish to attend must either be sent by their place of work, who will pay their way for them, or raise these funds for themselves.

As a result, these events are gate-kept from many people originating from socioeconomic backgrounds that suffer from a general lower income. The games industry, by failing to facilitate equity for these groups, is unable to fully support and nurture the talent and value these people can bring to our craft.

Networking and career growth should not be bound to someone’s financial stability, and I’m passionate about being one of the people keen to push for this change.

Will this be running yearly/for other events?

I would love to - unfortunately, ensuring that would mean raising significant levels of funding consistently to allow this. Right now, that doesn’t look possible given that I am but one man, but if this changes, I will absolutely do this as often as possible, for any events I can.

Are there other bursaries/scholarships I can apply to?

This was inspired by Into Games’ recent UK Games Events Bursary Scheme, where they work with WASD to provide free tickets for people with a low income, and care leavers. Doing something like this has always been in my heart, and it’s often felt massively daunting. Seeing their commitment to it and the ripples their bursary has made, I feel more confident than ever to make this happen.

I work with Into Games frequently, and I love what they do. I’m not seeking any competition with them, as in my view, the more people and organisations striving to achieve event accessibility, the better. I would hope that like me, more people will be inspired to attempt something like this because of the wonderful work Into Games do.

You can check out more information about their bursary here:

https://intogames.org/news/bursary-wasd-tickets-2023

Funding FAQ

How have you decided on the funding goal?

The funding goal is set in mind to be able to fully fund 5 game developers who meet the criteria to:

- Travel from anywhere in the UK to EGX at ExCel London.

- Have nearby overnight accommodation for all days of the event (from Wednesday 11th - Sunday 15th of October).

- Be given a daily budget for food/drink/other necessities.

- Travel from ExCel London back to wherever they live, within the UK.

- Have a £100 contingency buffer for emergency situations.

What if you don’t get all of the funding you’re asking for?

Currently, calculations have come to about £1,000 per person. If £1,000 is raised, I will seek to send one person, with the above provisions in mind.

If it’s not, funding will be cancelled, and you’ll be issued with a refund.

What if you get more funding than you’re asking for?

With the £1,000 per person calculation in mind, any money that exceeds the goal will be used to ensure additional bursaries are given to an extra eligible recipient.

What if your evaluated prices change and you need more money?

Depending on successful funding time, the rates which accommodation/transport were calculated at may change. If this happens, every effort will be made to secure other nearby arrangements and provide safe travel to/from as a result. Costing has already been completed to allow for padding should prices increase, but in the event accommodation/travel exceeds that, I will raise the funding goal to accommodate. If the funding goal still isn’t met at this point, I will work with the individual(s) to formulate a plan to make suitable arrangements.

Will you be seeking corporate funding or input?

As it stands, I’m currently reaching out to studios and companies to see if they’d be willing or able to make a financial contribution to this bursary. If this isn’t possible, they’ll be asked to provide any other kind of support they can.

If you think you can help in this regard, please email me at egxbursary@gmail.com - further information will be available in the Company FAQ section of this page.

Where will the money be held?

I have set up a bank account for this purpose, separate from my own finances. This is where all money will be held and explicitly not used for any costs that are not directly related to this fund. Once allocation of funding and resources are done and money is spent, a statement of spending will be available on request.

What will you do with unused funds?

If unused funds remain and there is no possible way to stretch them to introduce an additional bursary or compensate the selection committee, these funds will be donated to the games industry charity Safe in Our World. Safe In Our World is a registered charity in England and Wales, no. 1183344.

How will you monetarily profit from this?

I won’t. I will not take any share of this money for personal usage, and if necessary, will contribute a small amount of my own money if need be to secure an additional bursary where possible.

Recipient Selection FAQ

What will be the criteria for application?

Applications will be open to anyone meeting all of the following criteria:

1) Over the age of 18 before 10/10/2023.

2) Currently lives in the UK.

3) Maximum personal income of £25,000.

4) Has been in the games industry for less than two years in any capacity (full time, part time, solo developer), OR, a student studying towards a qualification relevant to the games industry, with a specific intent to aim to land a place in the industry as soon as possible.

5) Is part of a marginalised/underrepresented group in the games industry.

Marginalised and underrepresented groups include but are not limited to: working class people, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled people.

How will recipients apply?

Soon after funding, application forms will be made available for anyone eligible to apply to the fund. After a set time, these applications will be closed.

Will accessibility requirements prevent me from being selected as a recipient?

Absolutely not. The core goal of this bursary is to ensure that access to this event is made accessible to all who would otherwise not be able to access it - if you have an accessibility concern and are selected, I will personally work with you to ensure suitable arrangements are made to keep you safe and accommodated for. Everyone deserves to access these events, no matter your requirements to be able to safely do so.

Who will be choosing who is selected?

At the same time funding applications begin, a separate form will become available to sign up to a funding selection committee. This committee will be shaped with the explicit intent to ensure all applications are valued, reviewed, and examined without bias. The number of people who will be selected for this committee is still pending, but in order to safely ensure the process captures a diverse and inclusive process of consideration, priority for selection will be given to low income and marginalised people who have no interest in applying for this bursary.

The application evaluation process is still a work-in-progress, but applications will be viewed more than once, with any identifying information obscured to ensure applicant safety, and limit bias.

Information will be handled and processed in a way that ensures compliance with GDPR regulations.

Will the committee be paid for their time?

Yes. Low-income and marginalised people are the most susceptible to financial manipulation, and as a result, asking them to work without providing compensation would be immoral.

Funds for this will come from one of two sources:

1) If we have raised an excess amount of money that could not be stretched to fit another bursary, this money will be distributed to those selected for the committee.

2) If there is little excess funding, I will personally pay these funds from my own pocket.

Compensation calculated will be paid per hours worked, and absolutely will not fall below the London Living Wage. Committee members may also request a contract on a freelance basis if required.

Company Support FAQ

How can my company support this initiative?

If you’d like to support the initiative, financially or otherwise, thank you! The two main forms of support that would be useful right now would be:

1) A donation to ensure additional bursaries where possible, or to provide extra resources to recipients.

2) If unable to help financially, it would be incredible if you could provide any sort of merchandise or materials for the recipients. I would love to be able to put together a “swag bag” to send out to recipients, to show them that they are supported by the industry.

Additionally, if you’re in a position to offer some kind of mentorship, work experience, or anything else that could be of benefit to the recipients of this bursary, please do let me know!

You can reach me on egxbursary@gmail.com - please drop me a line and we can have a chat about what’s possible!