With a new program SwissGames supports international activities of smaller studios

As a result of the corona crisis, the video games industry has faced challenges especially due to mobility restrictions and events ban. For independent studios, it is now impossible to present their projects and meet publishers, potential investors and partners.

Under the SwissGames label, Pro Helvetia – which has been accompanying indie studios and organizing national delegations to the leading's video games events for over 10 years – has launched a new mentorship programme, SwissGames Showcase 2020, to support the Swiss game cluster, and enable studios to access business opportunities in these challenging times.

A three-phase program
In the first phase, startups can apply by submitting a video pitch. Each jury member will select up to three studios among the most promising projects. Following the selection round, the jury members provide coaching and mentorship to their picked projects and guide them through a 2-days online private coaching phase throughout the month of June. The aim of this phase is to help the studios get their projects ready for the market as well as sharpen their initial video pitches. The full selection of reworked video pitches forms the SwissGames Showcase 2020, a selection of the most promising indie games of the country.

The SwissGames showcase takes part in various industry online and offline events in Summer and Autumn 2020 (Gamescom digital, for example). Mentors act as enablers and introduce their protégé to targeted contacts within their networks.

Requirements
Registration closes on 25 May. Startups are invited to submit a maximum 3' video pitch on YouTube or Vimeo. The video should include the description of the project including gameplay overview and USPs; the current status of the project and anticipated release date; Business strategy; Team; what the studio is looking for including funding amount needed, services and the desired support functions. 

Detailed information about the application process can be found on the SwissGames website.