Screen Australia invests over $2 million in Australian Games Industry
04/09/2024
Zodiac Mountain
Screen Australia has announced over $2 million in funding to boost the Australian games sector. This includes support for 12 games through the Games Production Fund, 27 games through the Emerging Gamemakers Fund and funding for three events through the Games Event Fund.
The Games Production Fund and Emerging Gamemakers Fund offer critical support to Australian independent gamemakers, aimed at providing funding for original games with budgets below $500,000; and fostering new talent with professional development opportunities.
These initiatives are backed by the Federal Government's National Cultural Policy Revive, which includes a commitment of $12 million over four years from the 2023/24 financial year to Screen Australia's games funding.
Minister for the Arts Tony Burke said, Video gaming has come a long way now this global multi-billion-dollar industry offers a staggering variety of unique ideas and techniques for storytellers to connect audiences and explore their creativity. Our Government is committed to nurturing emerging talent in this booming field with $12 million to press play on gamemakers' careers.
CEO of Screen Australia, Deirdre Brennan said, This significant investment highlights our ongoing commitment to fostering growth and innovation within Australia's games industry. By supporting these projects and industry events, we're nurturing local developers and small to medium studios, reinforcing our position as a global leader in independent game-making.
Demand for games funding is growing, with Screen Australia receiving over 370 applications, twice as many as the previous year. This reflects the increased role of targeted support for our local industry in an increasingly competitive landscape, said Brennan.
Since March 2022, Screen Australia has provided over $12.5 million in tailored games funding programs, for projects including Feed the Deep, Diets and Deities and The Sacred Acorn. The agency supports games across a variety of platforms, such as PC, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch and iOS/Android, with games aimed at release on the App Store, Google Play, Steam, itch.io, Nintendo eShop and more.
The projects supported through the Games Production Fund include:
Cozy Commons (SA): A life simulation game where players take on day-to-day activities as they discover the secrets of the town and the inhabitants who live there. Players can engage with the community, build their skills, search for collectables and decorate their home, all while discovering the rich world of stories from the characters they meet along the way. The team includes lead developer Tom Longo and lead artist Rebecca Hadland.
Doggy Don't Care (NSW): In this comedic, adventure platformer, players unleash adorable chaos as a mischievous pup. By exploring, collecting and smashing their way around the house and beyond, players fetch the approval of their feathered friends - digging into a list of fun-filled tasks to earn mischievous badges. The team includes founder/creative director Rohan Nowell, graphic designer Carlo Delos Santos and composer/SFX artist Dominique Parker.
Frogreign (QLD): In this story-driven platformer, players join frog prince Rill on an amphibious action-adventure to unravel a royal conspiracy. Using Rill's tongue as a grappling hook and other frog abilities to seamlessly leap, swing, dive and swim through a variety of locations and challenges. Players can explore the depths of the realm of Callidrya, filled with chaos and secrets. The team includes creative director Bryce Watson, designer Dallas Smart, writer Natasha Cox, lead developer Nico Plotz, composer Alejandro Perez Heinze and audio engineer Andres Buitrago.
Jupiter Junkworks (VIC): A fast-paced new take on the arcade puzzle genre featuring a narrative campaign mode where players rebuild a spaceship salvage yard. Jupiter Junkworks is from lead developer and producer Will Deragon, character illustrator and narrative designer Georgia Pedersen, composer Jam Nawaz (JAMATAR), sound designer Zander Hulme, 3D artist Paul Mahoney, animator Kiat-Boon Pierce and voice artist Audrey Willowbrook.
Zodiac Mountain (WA): In this roguelike deck-building adventure game, players embark on a mystical journey as a determined Panda, seeking to prove their worth by challenging mythical creatures and the Chinese Zodiacs. The team includes CEO/MD/Founder Kevin Jiang, game designer/2D artist James Knight, 2D artists May Huang and Sylvia Lian, lead programmer Laurence Anthony Valentini, UI/UX designer Daisy Chan and sound designer Ian Chen.
The projects supported through the Emerging Gamemakers Fund include:
Aussie Rules (SA): A sports party roguelite game fusing action-packed gameplay with absurd Aussie humour. Players can challenge friends to unpredictable matches driven by wild mechanics, all tied together by a retro aesthetic and surrealist satire based on Australian culture. The team includes producer David Ashby, developer Tyler Roach, writer and voice artist Broden Kelly and composer Dario Russo.
Feral Scape (NSW): From developer Joseph Dowsett (BARCHboi), Feral Scape is an open-world fantasy RPG where player choices drive exploration, crafting, and game modding. Drawing inspiration from Australian locations, players engage in exploration and community-building within a fantasy setting in order to complete quests related to a wolf prophecy - aiming to unite different factions.
LunaGenesis (VIC): An adventurous, experimental RPG where players take on the role of a young witch lost in a cursed city whose residents are trapped in their own nightmares. To escape, players navigate dream realms and uncover secrets about a shape-shifting antagonist. LunaGenesis is from creative director/prog
LINK: | https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2024/09-04-2-m... |
See more stories from screenaustralia |
More from Screen Aus
17/09/2024
Screen Australia and Paramount+ Announce New Murder Mystery, Playing Gracie Darling
16 09 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Paramount Announce New Murder M...
11/09/2024
Endemol Shine Australia and Screen Australia announce Early Career Writers Program
10 09 2024 - Media release Endemol Shine Australia and Screen Australia announce...
04/09/2024
Screen Australia invests over $2 million in Australian Games Industry
04 09 2024 - Media release Screen Australia invests over $2 million in Australian Games Industry Zodiac Mountain Screen Australia has announced over $2 milli...
28/08/2024
Screen Australia and ABC announce four new children's programs
28 08 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce four new children's programs Andy Lee at Richmond Primary School with his nephews Freddy Mile...
22/08/2024
Screen Australia announces $3 million for 13 documentaries
22 08 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces $3 million for 13 documentaries We Are Jeni Screen Australia has announced 11 documentaries through the...
19/08/2024
Production starts on RFDS season three
19 08 2024 - Media release Production starts on RFDS season three RFDS cast. Photo Credit John Platt. Pre-production on the third season of the Seven Network...
15/08/2024
Maggie and Arthur return to the ABC for a second season of Mother and Son
15 08 2024 - Media release Maggie and Arthur return to the ABC for a second season of Mother and Son Denise Scott and Matt Okine in Mother and Son Fans of t...
06/08/2024
Bruce Beresford's Film Overture starts production in Western Australia
06 08 2024 - Media release Bruce Beresford's Film Overture starts production in Western Australia Overture cast (L-R) Susie Porter, Luke Bracey and Bryan ...
17/07/2024
Screen Australia and YouTube Australia announce Online Creators set to Skip Ahead
17 07 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and YouTube Australia announce Onlin...
12/07/2024
Screen Australia and ABC announce new comedy series Optics
12 07 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce new comedy series Optics Optics. Photo credit: Joel Pratley ABC and Screen Australia have annou...
10/07/2024
Shipwreck Hunters Australia back on the water for Season 2
10 07 2024 - Media release Shipwreck Hunters Australia back on the water for Season 2 Shipwreck Hunters Australia Screen Australia and The Walt Disney Compan...
09/07/2024
Applications Open for Digital Originals, and three new dramas coming to screens
09 07 2024 - Media release Applications Open for Digital Originals, and three new dramas coming to screens (L-R) Moonbird director, co-creator and co-writer N...
30/05/2024
Screen Australia, Australians in Film and VicScreen announce FUTURE VISION
30 05 2024 - Media release Screen Australia, Australians in Film and VicScreen announce FUTURE VISION Lee Sung Jin and Joanna Calo Australians in Film, Scree...
08/05/2024
Olivia Colman and John Lithgow Star in Sophie Hyde's New Project JIMPA
08 05 2024 - Media release Olivia Colman and John Lithgow Star in Sophie Hyde's New Project JIMPA Olivia Colman and John Lithgow in JIMPA. Photo credit: M...
29/04/2024
Screen Australia announces James J. Robinson's debut feature First Light
29 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces James J. Robinson's debut feature First Light First Light Principal Photography is underway on Firs...
24/04/2024
Screen Australia celebrates Australian projects bound for Cannes Film Festival 2024
24 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia celebrates Australian projects bound...
18/04/2024
Screen Australia and Dynamic Television announce new Scripted Initiative
18 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Dynamic Television announce new Scripted Initiative Savage River Screen Australia and Los Angeles-based telev...
11/04/2024
Screen Australia and Meta launch fourth year of First Nations Creators Program for Instagram
11 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Meta launch fourth year of First...
10/04/2024
Screen Australia announces over $2.3 million for nine documentaries
10 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $2.3 million for nine documentaries Guardians of the River Screen Australia has announced nine doc...
21/03/2024
Screen Australia announces over $1.6 million in support of the games industry
21 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $1.6 million in support of the games industry Which Way Up: Galaxy Games Screen Australia has anno...
18/03/2024
Screen Australia and VicScreen launch new Screen Careers initiative
18 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and VicScreen launch new Screen Careers initiative LTR Denise Eriksen, Esther Coleman Hawkins, Caroline Pitcher, K...
15/03/2024
The Creators 2024 Participants Announced
15 03 2024 - Media release The Creators 2024 Participants Announced The Creators program recipients. L-R Thomas Duncan-Watt, Vanessa Gazy, Sarah Lambert, Lea...
13/03/2024
Screen Australia announces dramas Critical Incident and Sunny Nights for Stan
13 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces dramas Critical Incident and Sunny Nights for Stan Critical Incident: Akshay Khanna and Zoe Boe. Photo c...
28/02/2024
Screen Australia announces over $810,000 in development funding for 29 projects
28 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $810,000 in development funding for 29 projects Willy Screen Australia has announced 23 feature fi...
27/02/2024
Michael Ebeid AM appointed as new Screen Australia Chair
27 02 2024 - Media release Michael Ebeid AM appointed as new Screen Australia Chair Michael Ebeid AM and Megan Brownlow The Hon. Minister for the Arts, Tony...
21/02/2024
Screen Australia and Australians in Film Announce Applications Open for UNTAPPED 2024
21 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Australians in Film Announce App...
15/02/2024
Screen Australia announces over $560,000 for crew and gamemaker skills programs
15 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $560,000 for crew and gamemaker skills programs Liz Keogh Palmer (Australian Production Design Guil...
13/02/2024
Six Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US
22 01 2024 - Media release Six Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US Audrey, Birdeater, The Moogai Six Australian screen projec...
12/02/2024
Screen Australia and YouTube Australia Launch Skip Ahead 9
12 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and YouTube Australia Launch Skip Ahead 9 Uncovering Street Dance: Australia from Skip Ahead 8. Photographed by Ry...
08/02/2024
Screen Australia and ABC announce Bay of Fires is back for season two
08 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce Bay of Fires is back for season two Marta Dusseldorp as Stella in Bay of Fires ABC, Screen Austr...
22/01/2024
Five Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US
22 01 2024 - Media release Five Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US Audrey, Birdeater, The Moogai Five Australian screen proj...
17/01/2024
Brendan Cowell and Asher Keddie star in Screen Australia and ABC's new drama series Plum
17 01 2024 - Media release Brendan Cowell and Asher Keddie star in Screen Austra...
14/12/2023
Screen Australia announces over $6.9 million of production funding for 11 projects
14 12 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $6.9 million of produ...
12/12/2023
Applications open for The Creators program
12 12 2023 - Media release Applications open for The Creators program The Creators program Screen Australia and the Australian Writers Guild (AWG) have annou...
11/12/2023
Screen Australia announces Talent USA: New York recipients 2023
11 12 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces Talent USA: New York recipients 2023 Enoch Mailangi, Noora Niasari, Hannah Carroll Chapman Screen Austr...
30/11/2023
Screen Australia announces 14 placements through BTL: Next Step Stage 2
30 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces 14 placements through BTL: Next Step Stage 2 Image courtesy: Screen Warriors Screen Australia has annou...
29/11/2023
Screen Australia announces over $1.7 million for seven documentaries
29 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $1.7 million for seven documentaries Deeper Screen Australia has announced three documentaries fun...
23/11/2023
Screen Australia announces over $900,000 in development funding for 31 projects
23 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $900,000 in development funding for 31 projects Wishes Screen Australia has announced 18 feature f...
10/11/2023
Cameras roll in Canberra on new ABC comedy Austin
09 11 2023 - Media release Cameras roll in Canberra on new ABC comedy Austin Austin - Ben Miller, Michael Theo, Sally Phillips Screen Australia, ABC, ITV Stu...
10/11/2023
Screen Australia, SBS and NITV announce Digital Originals shortlist for 2023
10 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia, SBS and NITV announce Digital Originals shortlist for 2023 Screen Australia Digital Originals Workshop. Image by ...
09/11/2023
Kangaroo Beach to return for a third series
09 11 2023 - Media release Kangaroo Beach to return for a third series Kangaroo Beach Series 3 Screen Australia and ABC are thrilled to announce that a third...
09/11/2023
Screen Australia and ABC announce TV adaptation of Shaun Tan's Tales From Outer Suburbia
09 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce TV adaptation of Sh...
08/11/2023
Applications Open for Screen Australia's Enterprise 2024 Program
08 11 2023 - Media release Applications Open for Screen Australia's Enterprise 2024 Program Behind the scenes of Total Control 3 - Wayne Blair, Jub Clerc ...
02/11/2023
Drama Report 2022/23: $2.34 billion spent in Australia from 213 productions
02 11 2023 - Media release Drama Report 2022/23: $2.34 billion spent in Australia from 213 productions NCIS: Sydney, The New Boy, Ginger and the Vegesaurs. S...
01/11/2023
Daisy Ridley set to star in Zak Hilditch's new film We Bury the Dead in Western Australia
01 11 2023 - Media release Daisy Ridley set to star in Zak Hilditch's new fi...
31/10/2023
Deirdre Brennan appointed as new Screen Australia CEO
31 10 2023 - Media release Deirdre Brennan appointed as new Screen Australia CEO Screen Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Deirdre Brennan a...
31/10/2023
Screen Australia announces participants in Access Coordinator Training Program
31 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces participants in Access Coordinator Training Program Access Coordinator Training Program workshop in Sydn...
31/10/2023
Screen Australia and NITV announce Journey Home - David Gulpilil
31 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and NITV announce Journey Home - David Gulpilil Writer/director/producers Maggie Miles and Trisha Morton-Thomas, a...
30/10/2023
South Australian-Made feature film With or Without You announced
30 10 2023 - Media release South Australian-Made feature film With or Without You announced With or Without You stars Melina Vidler, Marta Dusseldorp and Albe...
30/10/2023
Screen Australia and SBS announce new intoxicating romance Four Years
31 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and SBS announce new intoxicating romance Four Years L-R: Mithila Gupta (creator/writer), Nicole Reddy (writer), S...