The South Australian Movie Company (SAFC) has doubled its Digital Video games Fund (DGF) funding to $1 million to assist native builders.
Following the success of its inaugural round last October, which distributed $500,000 amongst 11 studios, this yr’s DGF represents the South Australian authorities’s largest single funding in sport growth.
The DGF now presents three funding streams: as much as $30,000 for pre-production, prototype growth, proof of idea, early design and market testing; as much as $150,000 for manufacturing as tasks transfer towards business launch; and as much as $50,000 for post-release actions corresponding to localisation, porting, and associated work.
The SAFC has additionally launched the Recreation Studio Placement Program alongside this yr’s DGF to assist paid placements for early- and mid-career creators in native studios. These eligible can apply for subsidised wage and superannuation assist for a six or 12-month full-time placement.
Functions for the DGF open on Wednesday, October 21. The Recreation Studio Placement Program will launch later this yr.
The DGF was established to spice up the event of unique native video games, assist builders increase their companies, and enhance the variety of video games from South Australia globally.
The pilot program final October acquired over 50 functions. Profitable tasks embrace Powerbomb Video games and Tinkertown’s Pro Jank Footy, which reached the highest spot on Nintendo Change. Unhealthy Plan Studios secured a publishing cope with Thailand-based Rising Tide Publishing for End of Ember, whereas Little Bandit’s The Troll & The Witch’s House and Cowboy Fish’s Peppermint have been chosen for exhibition at PAX Australia.
SAFC acknowledged that the DGF and Studio Placement Program present studios and builders with a pathway to the prevailing SA Video Recreation Improvement (VGD) Rebate, “which backs larger-scale video games via a ten% rebate claimable on eligible tasks inside a minimal SA spend of $250,000.”
The VGD Rebate launched in 2020 and has since supported the manufacturing of over 40 video games from South Australia.
“The SAFC is delighted to double down on our assist for South Australia’s online game sector with a second spherical of our DGF providing twice the funding alternatives for native builders and studios to convey their new and progressive video games to life,” mentioned SAFC appearing CEO Leanne Saunders.
“As well as, our new Video games Studio Placement Program is an funding in each individuals and companies, serving to South Australian video games studios develop their groups whereas giving the subsequent era of builders a possibility to determine themselves within the business.”
Earlier this yr, GamesIndustry.biz spoke to quite a few Australian builders and business leaders concerning the rise, fall, and resurgence of game development in the country.