Nordic Game Program applications exceed €3m

The organisers of the Nordic Game Program have announced that applications for the first round of 2007 funding have exceeded a total of DKK 23 million (EUR 3.1 million).

The six-year program, launched in 2006, aims to boost the availability of games to consumers in the Nordic region. This year around DKK 5 million (EUR 671,000) has been earmarked for development funding, and will be split equally into two rounds.

In total 47 applications were received from 39 Nordic companies during the first round. "The number of applicants comes as no real surprise to me. Plenty of applications were received last year too," said NGP director Erik Robertson.

"On the other hand it is pleasing to note that the vast majority now seem to come from companies devoted solely to electronic games, companies that are already established or are in the process of getting there. This is clearly an industry making rapid progress."

A team of experts will now decide how to allocate the funding. There is no indication as to how many applications will be successful but last year, five projects received grants.

The recipients will be announced at the 2007 Nordic Game conference, which will take place in Malmö from May 15 - 16. The applications deadline for the second round of funding is October 15.