Funding for innovative Nordic computer games
Imagine a game in which you wander around a big city, recording sounds that you then use to solve mysteries. This is the exciting concept behind the Nordic computer game "The City of Metronome", which has just received DKK 600,000 in development funding from the Nordic Game Program.
Eight projects notable for their great inventiveness and infectious enthusiasm have so far received a share of the DKK 2.5 million available in this year's second funding round.
"The recurring characteristics of the successful applications are that they are designed from the heart and are games I'd really like to play," said Stine Klie, in her speech announcing the recipients of the funding at the D3 Copenhagen Expo games fair in Øksnehallen. Klie, of the Danish games company Guppyworks, represented the group of experts that assessed and evaluated the applications.
The following Nordic games companies were awarded funding in the second round in 2007:
Tarsier Studios AB (Sweden) - DKK 600,000 for "The City of Metronome"
A game for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and other platforms, in which audio recordings play a key role. An early version of the game was praised to the skies in the media last year, but the innovative and ambitious content meant it had difficulty attracting funding.
Digital Out A/S (Denmark) - DKK 500,000 for "Asteroid Cowboys"
An arcade game for Xbox 360's online service Live, in which the player is a space cowboy who has to rope asteroids with a laser lasso and work along with other players.
Frecle I/S (Denmark) - DKK 300,000 for "Youropa"
A puzzle game for the PC that toys with your sense of direction. As a "Youropean", the player has to use gravity to recapture the world from what are known as "Onesiders".
UOVO ApS (Denmark) - DKK 300,000 for "Willinilli"
An Internet-based, virtual world for children, which presents a number of different challenges that require kids to use their creative powers, solve problems and talk to other players.
Funkis Multimedia AB (Sweden) - DKK 300,000 for "Fishing in Sweden"
This one should be easy to figure out from the title! You play on the Internet, try out several different methods of fishing and visit fishing sites all over Sweden. The objective is to get you so excited by virtual fishing that you want to try the real thing.
Secret Exit Oy (Finland) - DKK 300,000 for "Cinnamon Beats"
A rhythm-based game that uses instruments, kitchen utensils and other teaching aids to create rhythmic patterns and music, which are then used to challenge other players.
In addition to the above projects, two applicants will each receive DKK 100,000 to improve their applications, which will be resubmitted in 2008.
The six-year Nordic Game Program was launched in 2006. It focuses on improving access to Nordic computer games, and the funding scheme is a important part of those efforts. See www.nordicgameprogram.org for more details.
Media contact:
Jacob Riis
Tel.: +45 2360 9422
E-mail: jacob@nordicgameprogram.org