Silicon Knights, Digital Extremes get prototype funding

Canadian developers Digital Extremes and Silicon Knights are to share CAD 1 million in funding from the Ontario Media Development Corporation, for prototypes of new videogame concepts.

Digital Extremes, developer of forthcoming D3P title Dark Sector, is working on a prototype for a third-person action game, said to have an "old-school horror theme," for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.

Too Human studio Silicon Knights' concept is for a third-person action/psychological thriller, due to be completed in 2010 for "all next-generation systems".

"By providing critical support at the prototyping stage, OMDC is helping Ontario game developers to retain a greater share of the intellectual property and to demand higher royalty payments - which help to grow the industry and keep jobs in the province," commented Karen Thorne-Stone, CEO of OMDC.

The OMDC's Video Game Prototype Initiative selected the two companies based on a review panel featuring jurors Jay Cohen from Ubisoft, Dan Winters of Activision and Other Ocean Interactive's Andrew Ayre.

"Ontario's best natural resource is our people, and with all the great universities and colleges in Ontario, there's an abundance of bright and creative talent," said Denis Dyack, president of Silicon Knights.

"Most of Silicon Knights' team are graduates of Ontario colleges and universities, and our team members are the best and brightest in their fields. This grant will encourage this great talent to stay within Ontario."