Record applications for Nordic Game Program

The Nordic Game Program has announced that 63 projects were submitted before the October 1 deadline for this year's second round of funding, bringing the total for 2008 up to 138 in total - a new record number.

The projects are vying for a slice of DKK 3 million (USD 550,000) in funding for this round, with an increasing focus on new platforms.

"As always I am delighted to see the large number of applications, because it shows that the Nordic games industry is developing," said Erik Robertson, Nordic Game Program managing director.

"At the same time it is interesting to see that a growing number of them are designed for the formats of the future, like the iPhone, mobile phones and the new consoles, and are not just PC-based, which traditionally has been the most common platform for developing games in the Nordic countries.

"The impression you get is of a dynamic industry that is remaining true to its value base but which is also good at adapting to the new possibilities offered, among others, by the next-generation consoles with their online distribution," he added.

The second round applications were primarily received from Sweden and Denmark on 22 and 21 respectively, with 11 from Finland, 7 from Norway and 2 coming from Iceland - adding up to a total of DKK 30.5 million (USD 5.6 million) in funding requests.

The first round of applications earlier this year resulted in 10 projects receiving funds, and the names of the successful applicants from the second round will be announced in December.