
07 02 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $1.5 million for 11 digital games
Bilkins' Folly
Screen Australia has announced 11 games that will share in over $1.5 million of funding through the Games: Expansion Pack fund. The games span VR, adventure, puzzle, platformer, horror, rhythm and more.
This announcement comes after the Federal Government launched the new National Cultural Policy, Revive, which commits to introducing a Digital Games Tax Offset and providing an additional $12 million over four years from 2023-24 to support digital games developers and small and medium independent games studios through Screen Australia.
CEO of Screen Australia Graeme Mason said, There are huge opportunities for growth in the local games sector. The Government's $12 million investment to support digital games developers and small and medium independent games studios will enable Screen Australia to support more Australian developers to create original games, build sustainable businesses and attract local and global audiences.
Screen Australia's Head of Online Lee Naimo said, Alongside the recent announcement of Revive, we're pleased to support this exciting mix of games from all across Australia that are bringing to life distinctly Aussie stories, from cattle farming in the Northern Territory to solving mysteries in the Victorian Alps, as well as the next project from the award-winning team at Fuzzy Ghost. It's fantastic to see the ambition and skill of our local game creators, including driven first-time and solo developers, as they advance their careers.
Targeted at emerging or small to medium independent game studios, Screen Australia's existing Games: Expansion Pack provides direct funding for original Australian games with budgets below $500,000. The fund is open for applications on an ongoing basis until 4 May 2023.
The Games: Expansion Pack first launched in March 2022, and the first round of funding distributed over $4 million to 30 Australian games.
The funded games include:
Bilkins Folly (TAS): A puzzle adventure game from Lead Developer Luke Webster of Webbysoft. Players explore an island as Percival Bilkins, treasure hunter extraordinaire, and together with their canine companion Drayton they must complete quests, solve mysteries and find hidden treasures in order to solve a family mystery. Bilkins' Folly has been financed with support from Armor Game Studios.
Call of the Golden Valley (VIC): A first-person, female-protagonist narrative adventure set in Victoria's High Country, where players must search for a childhood friend who has vanished into the bush seemingly without a trace. But she's not the only one something mysterious is luring people to the mountains. Players explore a country town and navigate the enigmatic countryside to find their friend, all while exploring how fact gets tangled up in fiction. This game is developed by Creative Director Madeleine Clute of O Saurus Studios.
Conscript (VIC): An adventure survival game from Catchweight Studio and Lead Developer Jordan Mochi. Set during the First World War, this historically realistic gameplay follows a lone French soldier who must navigate twisted trenches, scavenge for limited supplies and solve complex puzzles - all while searching for their brother who is missing-in-action. Developed with the assistance of VicScreen.
Copycat (NSW): A wholesome, narrative-driven game about rejection, belonging and the true meaning of home. It follows the story of a newly adopted shelter cat who becomes the victim of an elaborate plan when a jealous, stray copycat steals her place in the household. The game s colourful visuals delight the senses while exploring dark emotional depths. Copycat is created by Spoonful of Wonder. The team includes Head of Art/Game Director Kostia Liakhov and Head of Narrative/Game Director Samantha Cable.
Diets and Deities (NT): A rhythm cooking game that players will be able to taste. In a universe drained of its diversity and left to wallow in its smashed avo and vanilla soy latte, players must help Deities remember their culture by cooking dishes along to the music. Each of the dishes can also be made at home with the original recipes found in the game. Diets & Deities is created by Larrikin Interactive and the team includes Founder Dylan Bennett, Creative Director Miles McLoughlin, Lead Programmer Declan Smyth, Bininj Chef, language and culture consultant Ben Tyler, Composer James Mangohig and 2D Artist Skye Lavelle.
GHOST CAM (WA): A spooky exploratory game where players search for ghosts in an abandoned bedroom which unfolds into a labyrinth. They will get to test their ghost finding skills, navigate the eerie environment, figure out clues and uncover the story carefully as the dreamscape can twist into a nightmare. This game is created by creative studio ARCH REBELS and the team includes Lead Developer Amy Louise Doherty, Lead Programmer Miles Hansen, Sound Designer Chris Head and Systems Designer Camille Woodthorpe.
Janet DeMornay Is A Slumlord (and a witch) (NSW): A horror-comedy game from Fuzzy Ghost that explores the anxieties of renting in a world run by landlords. Players will explore their crumbling inner-city terrace house, solving puzzles to try and get back to the real world, all while trying to avoid the increasingly menacing behaviour of their landlord Janet, who is a witch. The creative team includes founders Pete Foley and Scott Ford.
Misc. A Tiny Tale (WA): A 3D platforming adventure game from Tinyware Games and Lead Developer Michael Pearce. Players join Buddy and Bag Boy, two adorable robots made of miscellaneous items, as they lend a hand to other robots, make a difference by cleaning up mess, and follow an exciting journey.
Pasture: The Livestock Simulator (NT): Set in the Australian Outback, players experience t
More from Screen Aus
29/05/2023
29 05 2023 - Media release Screen Australia, SBS And NITV Call For Applications To Digital Originals 2023
Latecomers, Appetite
Screen Australia, SBS and Nat...
15/05/2023
15 05 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and SBS announce applications open f...
08/05/2023
08 05 2023 - Media release Screen Australia launches the First Nations Game Studio fund
Image: Shutterstock
Screen Australia is pleased to announce the First...
04/05/2023
04 05 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces $2 million for eight documentaries
Teagan Micah in This Is Us
Screen Australia has announced two docume...
01/05/2023
01 05 2023 - Media release ABC and Screen Australia on the hunt for more Fresh Blood
Why Are You Like This
The ABC and Screen Australia are once again teami...
27/04/2023
27 04 2023 - Media release Screen Australia launches three new Industry Developm...
20/04/2023
20 04 2023 - Media release Warwick Thornton Returns to Cannes Film Festival with The New Boy
Cate Blanchett as Sister Eileen and Aswan Reid as New Boy in The ...
14/04/2023
14 04 2023 - Media release Seeing Ourselves on-screen: Report reveals progress f...
11/04/2023
11 04 2023 - Media release Foxtel Group and Screen Australia announce new origin...
22/03/2023
22 03 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces $1 million to boost screen...
21/03/2023
21 03 2023 - Media release The Creators participants announced
(Top L to R): Jane Allen, Judi McCrossin, Kodie Bedford
(Bottom L to R): Sam Meikle, Suzie Mil...
21/03/2023
21 03 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces $700,000 of story development funding for 20 projects
Marcus Rivera in Vonne Patiag's short film Tom...
09/03/2023
09 03 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce Beep and Mort Season 2
Beep and Mort
ABC, Screen Australia and the South Australian Film Corpora...
08/03/2023
08 03 2023 - Media release Screen Australia commits $500K to West Coast Visions feature films
How to Please a Woman, Sweet As
Screenwest and Screen Australia...
07/03/2023
07 03 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and Stan announce new documentary fe...
23/02/2023
23 02 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces $4.6 million for 21 documentaries
Our Law: Queensland Police - Caboolture Police Station, Constable Jarw...
21/02/2023
21 02 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and YouTube Australia announce Skip Ahead recipients
Skip Ahead recipients in Sydney for the workshop this week
S...
20/02/2023
20 02 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $7.4 million of produ...
20/02/2023
20 02 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and SBS announce new crime drama Swift Street
Tig Terera, Swift Street
SBS and Screen Australia are thrilled to a...
17/02/2023
17 02 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and Network 10 launch First Facts: F...
17/02/2023
17 02 2023 - Media release Production wraps in Sydney on Arachnophobia Horror film Sting
Sting. Photo credit - Emma Bjorndahl
Production has wrapped in Sydne...
13/02/2023
13 02 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and Network 10 announce new drama Paper Dolls
Paper Dolls (L-R: Courtney Monsma, Miah Madden, Naomi Sequeira, Emal...
09/02/2023
09 02 2023 - Media release Australians in Film and Screen Australia announce applications open for UNTAPPED
(From top left) Amy Wang, A da Mashaka Croal, Andr...
07/02/2023
07 02 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $1.5 million for 11 digital games
Bilkins' Folly
Screen Australia has announced 11 games that ...
03/02/2023
03 02 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce new drama In Our Blood
Actors Oscar Leal and Tim Draxl from In Our Blood.
As Australia gets read...
02/02/2023
02 02 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces $2.2 million in funding for 11 online projects
Miss Ink: The Documentary Series
Screen Australia has an...
24/01/2023
24 01 2023 - Media release Eight Australian projects bound for Berlinale 2023 wi...
23/01/2023
23 01 2023 - Media release Aussie feature A Savage Christmas filming now in Queensland
Writer/director Madeleine Dyer on the set of A Savage Christmas
Produc...
20/12/2022
20 12 2022 - Media release Screen Australia announces $1.2 million of development funding
Just Chidi Things (L-R): Ana Tiwary, Chika Ikogwe, Rose Byrne.
Scr...
15/12/2022
15 12 2022 - Media release Six Australian screenwriters selected for the NCIS: S...
08/12/2022
08 12 2022 - Media release Four Australian films selected for Sundance Film Festival 2023
Noora Niasari's Shayda
Four Australian feature films will scree...
08/12/2022
08 12 2022 - Media release Screen Australia's Enterprise program returns in 2023
Sophie Hyde, Closer Productions
Screen Australia is pleased to announce ...
07/12/2022
07 12 2022 - Media release P-Plate comedy returns with Christmas special
Dylan Hesp in A Very Street Racer Christmas
Screen Australia and One Stone Pictures ...
07/12/2022
07 12 2022 - Media release Cameras set to wrap on Warwick Thorntons The New Boy
Aswan Reid on the set of The New Boy Photo by Ben King
Award-winning First ...
05/12/2022
05 12 2022 - Media release PARAMOUNT ANNOUNCES CAST OF THE APPLETON LADIES' POTATO RACE
Claire van der Boom
Claire van der Boom (Blacklight, Palm Beach)...
24/11/2022
24 11 2022 - Media release ABC announces Better Date Than Never
Better Date Than Never
Screen Australia and the ABC are thrilled to announce Better Date Tha...
24/11/2022
24 11 2022 - Media release ABC UNVEILS BOLD NEW DRAMA HOUSE OF GODS
House of Gods co-creator and writer Osamah Sami
Screen Australia and the ABC are pleased ...
24/11/2022
24 11 2022 - Media release Matt Okine and Denise Scott starring in reimagining of Mother and Son
Mother and Son's Matt Okine (Arthur) and Denise Scott (Ma...
22/11/2022
22 11 2022 - Media release Screen Australia and AIDC announce Fresh Cuts Documentary Pitch Initiative
Fresh Cuts Documenatry Pitch Initiative
Screen Australi...
21/11/2022
21 11 2022 - Media release Screen Australia and Australian Writers Guild announce The Creators initiative
The Creators initiative
Screen Australia and the A...
15/11/2022
15 11 2022 - Media release Screen Australia, NZ On Air and TikTok announce Every Voice 2022 recipients
(New Zealand Creatives L-R): Sonya Milford, Sherry Zhan...
10/11/2022
10 11 2022 - Media release Drama Report 2021/22: Record $2.29 billion spent on d...
02/11/2022
02 11 2022 - Media release SBS commissions bold new Australian drama anthology Erotic Stories
Top (L-R) Niki Aken, Tamara Asmar, Alistair Baldwin, Christine B...
28/10/2022
28 10 2022 - Media release Six screen creatives announced for Emerging Writers' Incubator initiative
Top (L-R) Skye Leon, Patrick Hogan, Aven Yap
Bottom ...
14/10/2022
14 10 2022 - Media release Instagram and Screen Australia announce recipients of...
13/10/2022
13 10 2022 - Media release Spooktacular' new series The Spooky Files commissioned by ABC and BBC
(From top left): Guy Edmonds, Matt Zeremes, Paul Watters...
27/09/2022
27 09 2022 - Media release Nine Australian writers set to accelerate their proje...
27/09/2022
27 09 2022 - Media release New drama series Prosper announced for Stan
Lingo Pictures Jason Stephens and Helen Bowden
Stan and Lionsgate have commissioned th...
26/09/2022
26 09 2022 - Media release Screen Australia launches NCIS: Sydney Script Department Program
Image of Sydney Skyline / Shutterstock
Screen Australia has today...
14/09/2022
14 09 2022 - Media release New drama Human Error greenlit for 9Network
Writers Gregor Jordan, Greg Haddrick and Samantha Winston
Screen Australia and 9Networ...