adminImage credit: Into Games
The IG50 program is accepting applications for its fifth annual cohort, recognising promising people from working-class and low-income backgrounds who are not yet employed in the UK games industry. Applications open on May 24, and the initiative aims to help talented candidates access opportunities that can otherwise be harder to reach.
What the IG50 program offers
Into Games selects 50 people for the programme. With Ubisoft as headline sponsor, the initiative also offers paid internships lasting up to three months with UK studios. Participants can receive free tickets and accommodation for Develop:Brighton 2026 as part of the support available.
The programme is intended to address structural barriers linked to class and income. For applicants, it may provide a route to industry connections and practical work experience. The specific placements and support available can vary, so candidates should review the application information for the current cohort before applying.
Paid placements and industry access
Into Games says 11 people from the 2025 cohort secured paid roles in the UK games industry through its Boost placement programme. That outcome shows how the initiative can connect recognition with employment opportunities, although it does not guarantee a role for every participant.
Into Games CEO Declan Cassidy said the programme is based on the view that talent is widespread, while access to opportunity is not. He described Ubisoft’s sponsorship as support for that principle and pointed to the 11 placements from the previous cohort as evidence of the programme’s employment-focused approach.
Michael Burnham, studio manager at Ubisoft Reflections, said the company values creative diversity and sees programmes such as IG50 as a way to encourage people with varied backgrounds to take their first steps into games. He also expressed interest in meeting this year’s selected participants.
How to apply for the IG50 program
Candidates can apply from May 24 at intogames50.uk. The source announcement does not specify an application deadline, so prospective applicants should check the programme site for the latest dates and eligibility details.
- Review the current criteria carefully, including the programme’s focus on people from working-class and low-income backgrounds who are not yet hired in UK games.
- Check what information and materials the application requires before submitting it.
- Keep an eye on the application dates, as the announcement gives an opening date but not a closing date.
The IG50 program offers a combination of recognition, potential paid work experience and access to an industry event. People who meet the criteria can use the application period to explain their interest in games and check whether the available support fits their goals.
