Gaming is a world entertainment phenomenon. The global games market is currently valued at $137.9 billion; by 2021, it is expected to be worth $180 billion. An innovator in several gaming-related fields and technologies, RISE—Research Centre on Interactive Media, Smart Systems and Emerging Technologies—has established a Games Cluster Initiative to facilitate the development in Cyprus of a ‘cluster’ of interconnected companies, research institutions and other stakeholders to encourage rapid growth in this promising and profitable sector.

At the first open event for RISE’s Games Cluster Initiative held on 14 June 2019 at the Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) premises at Julia House in Nicosia, over 40 stakeholders came together to explore potential areas of research and product development. RISE Research Director Professor Yiorgos Chrysanthou noted that the games industry is growing rapidly and with it the opportunities for academic research and innovation.  RISE CEO Spyros Nicolaou made the link to RISE’s overall mission which is to “cultivate a culture of innovation and creativity, bringing scientists, entrepreneurs, local authorities and other stakeholders together to commercialize research output and state of the art solutions that will spur economic growth.”

The invited speaker at the event was Professor Vassilios Makios, General Director of Corallia (http://www.corallia.org/en/) in Greece. Professor Makios presented a holistic approach for cluster development, focusing on the successful paradigm of Corallia and highlighting the importance of a clear vision.  In describing clusters at the local, national and international level, he shared useful insights related to planning, development, implementation, expansion and sustainability—all interrelated elements of cluster success.

Participants were able to exchange views and forge new links at the reception that followed the event, the first in the series of follow-up activities RISE has planned for the Games Cluster Initiative which will advance game development and Cyprus’ innovation ecosystem.