First you used to work at Atomic Games and previously at Red Storm. Why did you decide to launch a new game industry-related company at this time?

After working on military shooters for years, I wanted to do something different, and bring business, production, and design skills to bear on new types of games. Joystick Labs places no particular restrictions on applicants with regard to genre and game mechanics, so I expect to see a wide variety of games, which is exciting!

How did the idea to launch a company that would help fund and mentor small game developers come about?

The idea really started with one of my partners, Glen Caplan, who saw an opportunity to provide an incubator model focused on game companies in the Triangle, which already has a lot of game companies in the area. Other industries have seen successful incubator models deployed; we hope to do the same in the game industry.

What sort of game developers are you looking for in terms of applications to the Joystick Labs program? Do they have to have experience or can they be newcomers?

We will accept and consider submissions from applicants with a wide variety of experience, but all applicants must be capable of making the game they propose. Applicants with development experience area preferred, or at least can demonstrate the capabilities required to make the game they want. We are not a school on game production; we help to create a real business around your game and team.

A lot of people generally look at indie games as something that's different from the norm. Is that the kind of games you are hoping to fund or are you looking to help games with a more commercial bent?

We definitely are interested in games as a service, or games that have well thought out revenue models. That said, we will consider games based around all kinds of content and play mechanics.

How much money will be available to fund the games that are picked for the Joystick Labs program?

We provide $18,000 per team for the 12-week program to cover their essential monthly bills. At Joystick Labs, we want to make sure that nothing is distracting developers from creating their great game, especially worrying about groceries and rent! However, teams also receive more than this in certain legal, accounting, marketing, and development services.

Will the developers have to move to Durham to participate in the 12 week mentorship program or can they participate remotely?

We require admitted developers to move to Durham (or nearby) to attend the 12 week program. After that, we hope that they wish to stay in their area and operate their companies. It's a great place to live and make games.

In terms of the actual mentorship program exactly what kinds of lessons and advice will be given to the teams?

We will be announcing details of our mentorship program later this summer, but we expect to have weekly speakers who can give teams advice on design, development, business strategy, marketing -- practical topics that they will need to understand to be successful in the market, from experienced industry professionals who can give hands-on feedback on a team's game or business model.

Will there be any guest mentors from the professional game industry who will participate in the program?

Absolutely. We will announcing specific details on the mentorship program at Joystick Labs later this summer.

What is the ultimate goal for the developers when the 12 week program is completed?

Developers graduating from Joystick Labs should have completed their game or demo, and be ready to spin out as an fully-formed and incorporated independent game studio. They will also have developed a great network of industry contacts, and be in position to leverage those contacts to grow the success of their company.

You have said the developers will retain ownership of their games. So what does Joystick Labs get back in terms of compensation for helping to develop these games?

We take a small minority stake in each company coming through the labs, as well as a share in the royalties of the game made during the session. The developers own their IP and have creative control, however.

What other benefits do you and the developers get by participating in the program?

I think a major benefit of the program to Joystick Labs is creating new companies and games, as well as creating an environment where developers have direct creative control over their own work and business. We think this will be good for us, developers, the game-playing audience, and the industry as a whole.

Finally is there anything else you wish to say about Joystick Labs and its plans?

Thank you for the interview, and please be sure to tell your readers to check out joysticklabs.com!