Written by Kianna Best on Aug 25, 2022. Posted in Awards and Festivals

AUD 1 million funding to be invested by Screen Queensland into the digital games industry

Screen Queensland announced funding of more than AUD 1 million into digital gaming. The investment will support the development of seven projects. This initiative has been set in the lead up to Germany’s biggest games conference, Gamescon. 

Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich stated: “The quality of the games applications we’re receiving, along with our expert local talent pool and competitive incentives, demonstrates that Queensland is on the trajectory to becoming a driving force in Australia’s digital games space.”

Image courtesy of Sean Do by Unsplash

The Digital Games Incentive offered by Screen Queensland is the most competitive offered by Australia. A 15% rebate is available for eligible games that have a minimum spend of AUD 250,000. With four projects already receiving funding through the programme, and additional three will join the recipients through another initiative. These three will be supported by the Screen Queensland Games Grant, a seed funding programme for independent Queensland games studios that support projects at different stages of development.

“Screen Queensland has supported the local indie games sector since 2015 and, as digital games in Queensland continue to thrive, the agency remains strong in its commitment towards growing the industry and championing its practitioners, as well as attracting international companies to establish their Asia Pacific presence in the state,” added Munnich. 

Image courtesy of Screen Queensland

In addition, Screen Queensland will be funding nine games studios, with the help of Trade and Investment Queensland. Studios include Binary Weaver, Layer Licensing, Next Gen Dreams 3D, Public Void, Spitfire Interactive, Tensor Works, Toast VR, 2 Bit Studios and 5 Lives Studios. The funding will be enable the studio representatives to travel to Gamescom in Germany to network and pitch games ideas. The Australian Pavilion stand, hosted by the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) at the German event, will host representatives form Screen Queensland and Trade and Investment Queensland. 

Paid placements and training opportunities are also offered by Screen Queensland in addition to their funding initiatives. Other games supported by Screen Queensland include the BAFTA Award-winning Unpacking by Witch Beam, Planetation by 2Bit Studios, Phantom Abyss by Team WIBY and Damsel by Screwtape Studios.

Image courtesy of Fredrick Tendong by Unsplash