The Victorian Government is backing the next generation of digital game talent, with a new round of grants supporting a new crop of global hit games created in Victoria.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks has announced applications are now open for the latest round of the Originate Games program, which champions local game developers with projects in the early stages of development.
“Victoria has a global reputation as a games hub and the inaugural Originate Games round uncovered incredible projects, and teams, that are set to take the world by storm,” said Minister Creative Industries Colin Brooks.
“We’re proud to build on this success with the second round of the initiative, which will continue to back local developers to generate more of the inspiring and diverse games our state is famous for.”
Delivered by VicScreen, Originate Games helps Victorian game developers fine-tune their ideas and concepts and provides tailored support as they work toward launching their game to be enjoyed by millions around the world.
Grants of up to $50,000 are available for Victorian developers, providing the resources they need to bring their projects from the drawing board to the games console, including mentoring by industry experts.
Last year’s inaugural installment of Originate Games has an epic collection of games lined up for release in the coming years including Bugging Humans, which sees a spider and fly team up to start a backyard revolution, and Dawn Chorus, an interactive story-telling game about people and relationships.
Also among the 2023 crop is a supernatural detective game Have You Seen Me?, The Adventures of Dolly, a role-playing game set on the streets of Melbourne’s CBD and Untitled Baseball Game, set in Melbourne’s inner-west.
Victoria is globally renowned as a creative hub for unique and compelling games, including the international blockbusters Untitled Goose Game and Cult of the Lamb, recent award-winning smash hits Gubbins and Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical.
“VicScreen’s Originate Games initiative supports our homegrown talent to bring their bold and brilliant game ideas to life. The program has already proven to elevate new voices in digital games, and we can’t wait to unearth new talent and a new slate of projects in 2024,” said VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher.
Applications for Originate Games 2024 close on Friday 15 March. For more information about the program and to apply, visit: www.
Image: Gubbins – courtesy of VicScreen