The Game Awards Host and PlayStation Lead Engineer to Invest Millions in Next Generation of Game Developers

Geoff Keighley and Mark Cerny are ready to spend big.

The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley and PlayStation 5 architect Mark Cerny have teamed up to launch the Nova Games Foundation, a charitable fund that will financially support aspiring developers.

According to Game File, Keighley and Cerny have already made multi-million dollar donations to establish the fund and intend to continue its financing. The Nova Games Foundation will not take a stake in the funded projects – the founders solely want to help young developers realize their ideas.

The foundation collaborates with 13 university programs worldwide, including New York University, University of Southern California, Abertay University, Cnam-Enjmin, TH Köln, and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Each year, 20 graduates will be able to receive support.

Grant sizes will range from $100,000 to $500,000. The most promising projects will receive maximum funding, but additional funds will be allocated as established development milestones are met.

The fund is currently accepting applications from 2026 graduates, as well as future 2027 graduates. Priority will be given to projects with high artistic, literary, and social value. In addition to money, participants can expect mentorship and assistance with transitioning to a full-fledged career in the gaming industry.

Keighley noted that he never wanted to commercially invest in games due to his position in the industry. According to him, the Nova Games Foundation should be a philanthropic initiative, and the "return" on investment will be the emergence of new creators and original games.

The idea for the fund, according to Game File, is partly inspired by initiatives such as the Rhodes Scholarships and MacArthur Foundation grants. Keighley and Cerny hope to create a long-term fund that can grow and support developers over the next 10-20 years.