Blitz Games' Indie Support Program Ramps Up Activity

Blitz 1UP, a program founded by independent UK developer Blitz Games to help small devs bring their games to market, has signed new talent and appointed a producer for the division. Leamington Spa-based Blitz Games Studios said Tuesday that its Blitz 1UP program signed three new titles, with four more green-lit. One of the new games is Remode Limited's Mole Control, a 3D puzzler that Remode says is "a new take on the classic minesweeper puzzle mechanic." Blitz Games announced the Blitz 1UP program in November 2008. Chris Swan, business development director for Blitz Arcade and 1UP said, "The response to the program has been fantastic," adding, "take-up has steadily increased." Blitz also said it appointed Neil Holmes as producer for Blitz 1UP. Holmes has worked with game companies including Destination Software, Atari, and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, among others, during his 19 years in the industry. "With the increase in resources and new processes that we’re putting in place we’re now able to fully scale up the program to the next level," he said. Blitz 1UP is also a sponsor for the inaugural IndieVillage at the GameCity Festival in Nottingham this year. Holmes and Swan will both be on hands to offer advice and review demos of potential Blitz 1UP candidates. The Blitz 1UP program offers small developers support in design, development, networking, specific platforms, funding, legal, technology, and PR, according to the company's website.