# Launch of the Nova Games Foundation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/launch-of-the-nova-games-foundation
> Updated: 2026-09-30T01:00:00.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Mark Cerny, the architect of PlayStation hardware, and Geoff Keighley, creator of The Game Awards, have announced the launch of the Nova Games Foundation. This non-profit initiative is designed to support emerging game developers through mentorship and financial grants. 

The foundation intends to award 20 fellows annually with “no-strings” grants of $100,000, with the potential for additional funding up to $500,000 for projects meeting specific milestones. The program will operate without taking equity or ownership, aiming to assist new voices in the industry. Partnerships have been established with 13 global universities, including NYU and USC, to facilitate the program. 

As Cerny approaches the end of his professional career, he remains involved in high-level technical work, including development for future PlayStation hardware.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-30: Mark Cerny signals career end and launches gaming foundation

PlayStation architect Mark Cerny signals the end of his career while launching a non-profit foundation to fund new game developers. Meanwhile, experts suggest Sony and Nintendo may delay next-gen consoles.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mark-cerny-signals-career-end-and-launches-gaming-foundation

### 2026-09-08: Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley launch Nova Games Foundation

Mark Cerny and Geoff Keighley have launched the Nova Games Foundation, a non-profit providing $100,000 annual grants and mentorship to 20 game design graduates to foster new creative talent.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mark-cerny-and-geoff-keighley-launch-nova-games-foundation

---
Cite as: Launch of the Nova Games Foundation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/launch-of-the-nova-games-foundation