Channel 4 already has a history of investing in mobile games development, but its decision to pump a total of £1 million into Dundee-based studios Dynamo Games and Tag Games is an especially timely one.

It comes off the back of the news that fellow Dundee studio Realtime Worlds has entered into administration, with the television network's funds – which are to be used to develop titles based on its IPs – ensuring that the rest of the development scene in the city remains in good health.

As reported by the Scottish Herald, Dynamo Games is to be charged with developing Beauty Town - a Facebook title based on Gok Wan's How to Look Good Naked titled Beauty Town, while Tag Games has been instructed to work on Peep Show and Come Dine With Me titles for mobile.

Living in the Realtime Worlds

But Channel 4's investment isn't just a reflection of its confidence in the mobile scene. According to Tag head Paul Farley, its also a sign of the strength of development in general in Dundee.

"Losing Realtime Worlds is definitely going to have an impact," he told the paper.

"Ultimately we are going to lose a lot of talented people from Dundee. Realtime Worlds is referred to as the jewel in the crown, but it is just one part of what is going on here.

"In some ways the spotlight coming off Realtime will now come on to companies like Tag or Dynamo, who are much smaller, part of the next generation of games companies."

Doubling-up in Dundee

Indeed, Realtime's demise hasn't escaped Channel 4's attention, either.

"It is a timely investment," added Ian Mackenzie, media project manager for Channel 4 Creative Diversity.

"This is a very positive counter point to the bad news of Realtime Worlds. This investment is one example of people recognising the talent that is in Dundee."

Channel 4 has also revealed it is to broadcast a three-part series focusing on development in the city.

The icing on the cake, the series will be produced by Headlight Scotland, and will take a detailed look at Dundee's games sector.

[source: Scottish Herald]