Pro Helvetia supports 23 game projects

The next generation of #SwissGames is ready to make its mark. With its new promotion model for interactive media, Pro Helvetia offers extensive support for 23 projects in the field. A first call for applications produced 103 projects, submitted by established game studios as well as newcomers fresh from university. The projects’ stylistic scope ranges from pixel art via pop fantasies to hand-drawn games for platforms such as mobile, PC, console and virtual reality. The seven-strong international jury was particularly impressed by the high quality of the creative output made in Switzerland . «On my look-out for the next world hit in game experience, I’ll be keeping a sharp eye on the Swiss independent scene», concluded juror Erin Reynolds, creative director at the renowned game studio Flying Mollusk in Los Angeles.

The 23 projects selected will receive support in connection the Arts Council’s newly developed «Culture and Business» programme, which tests new models of coordinated promotion to help young talents gain a foothold in the design and interactive media market. «The Swiss game designer scene is both young and promising, and requires support to be able to fully unleash its potential», says juror Jason della Rocca, co-founder of Execution Labs in Montreal, a consultancy for game design start-ups.

All 23 projects to be supported:

Concept grants:
• AR Flowers, «AR Flowers»
• Maria Guta, «iMultiply»
• Xavier Heimgartner, «Scrap Bots»
• Tabea Iseli, «AVA»
• Quentin Lannes, «Far-Fetched»
• Robbert van Rodden, «The Journey of Europe»
• RMDD GmbH, «Foolhardy Company»

Grants for the production of a prototype:
• Hidden Fields GmbH, «Mundaun»
• Jessica Friedling, «DarkLight»
• Martina Hotz, «Letters»
• Koboldgames GmbH, «Baba Yuga»
• Philippe Kuhn, «Stop, Ampeltime!»
• David Roulin, «Colorful Darkness»
• Max Striebel, «Retimed»

Production grants:
• Jérémy Cuany, «Don’t Kill Her»
• Okomotive GmbH, «FAR: Lone Sails»
• Stray Fawn Studio, «Nimbatus – The Space Drone Constructor»

Distribution or project expansion grants:
• Ink Kit,
«DERU – The Art of Cooperation»
• Melodie Mousset, «HanaHana 花華»
• David Stark, «Airships: Conquer the Skies»
• Struckd AG, «Build Your Game»
• Team KwaKwa, «Splash Blast Panic»
• Tourmaline, «Oniri Islands (Part 1)»

Picture: FAR: Lone Sails

(Press release)