Nine Independent Game Developers Receive $1.3 Million in Funding from Screen Queensland

Screen Queensland has allocated $1.3 million in funding to nine independent game development studios. This investment, provided through the Games Grant program, will facilitate the development of 12 new games and create an additional 40 positions for developers in the region. The funding program offers support for projects at various stages of development, with a maximum allocation of $200,000 per round and a lifetime cap of $300,000. The recipients of this funding round include Fuzzy Ghost, Saltpunk, BaristaGamer Productions, Sagestone, Sbug Games, Maxart, Flow-State, and Spitfire Interactive, as well as 5 Lives Studio for the full release of Cozy Caravan. Furthermore, Prideful Sloth, The Tea Division, and Spunge Games have secured funding for new projects through the digital games incentive. According to Jacqui Feeney, CEO of Screen Queensland, the organization's investment in the local game development sector is yielding positive results, with increased confidence in the state's studios and the games they produce. 'We are committed to driving growth and opportunity in the industry, enabling Queenslanders to become global leaders in the creation of innovative and unique games,' Feeney stated. Following a doubling of the funding level for Games Grants, the organization has seen a 133% increase in the number of supported projects, which in turn is creating highly skilled technical jobs. As a state government-owned agency, Screen Queensland invests in local game development, film, and series production, while also attracting international and interstate production and post-production activities. The application period for the next round of grants is scheduled to commence in December 2024.