Social Games Publisher We R Interactive Receives $200K EU Grant

UK-based social games publisher We R Interactive has received a notable grant from the European Union to create a new online music-based gaming title. The EU’s MEDIA support initiative, which aims to strengthen the European entertainment industries, has awarded We R Interactive with a 150,000 euro ($200,610) backing. The funding will allow the company to build its second title, an online music game called I AM STAR, following on from its debut title I AM PLAYR, which launched last March. As part of the funding, the company also announced that 30-year industry veteran Geoff Heath is now an advisor to We R Interactive, and will assist the company in its strategy and development. David Rose, CEO at We R Interactive, explained, "The UK has tremendous heritage in games, music and film, the combination of which has tremendous global potential." "So much has been stated about the lack of support for the UK industry in comparison to global competition, therefore it's fantastic to see a UK games company recognised through this European MEDIA grant." The MEDIA grant comes just months after We R Interactive raised $5 million in a second round of private investment funding, with a number of high-profile figures added to its shareholders, including Paul Fitzsimons, an ex-media sector partner at Apax Partners, and Elio Leoni-Sceti, formerly CEO at EMI Music.