The IGDA (International Game Developers Association) is set to run its first ever Virtual Mentor Cafe in response to a number of high profile studio closures and layoffs over the last two months.

The Mentor Cafes are designed to bring together experienced industry professionals with developers keen on receiving advice about aspects of the industry and their careers.

Each meeting with a mentor lasts 30 minutes and is tailored to the mentee’s needs.

Developer support

The move to launch the Virtual Mentor Cafe comes after narrative games specialist Telltale laid off most of its 250 staff, leaving behind a skeleton crew to tie up the firm's "obligations to its board and partners" before it closes for good.

Capcom Vancouver was another recent high profile closure, while Big Fish Games has made 15 per cent of its staff redundant as it looks to refocus its efforts on fewer projects.

Those impacted by these or other layoffs have until October 15th to sign up for the Virtual Mentor Cafe here. The scheme is open to all developers, regardless of discipline, career level or where they are based.

The IGDA is also on the lookout for industry professionals to offer their services as mentors. Those interested can sign up here.