Just a week after the Australian Government announced the $12 million reinstatement of the Interactive Games Fund as part of its ‘Recovery’ national cultural policy, Screen Australia is using Games to raise a new round of funding for local independent games. Announced. Expansion pack funds.
The fund pumped more than $4 million into 30 Australian-made projects in its first round of funding early last year, and has now distributed a further $1.5 million across 11 games, with the goal of targeting small and medium-sized Funded directly with the studio. An original Australian game with a budget under $500,000.
In a statement announcing the funding, Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said: With a $12 million government investment to support digital game developers and small to medium-sized independent game studios, Screen Australia will help more Australian developers create original games and build sustainable businesses. , will be able to help you attract local and international audiences. ”
Screen Australia announces $1.5 million for 11 games? https://t.co/Sh1iB5SAt8
— Screen Australia (@ScreenAustralia) February 6, 2023
Lee Naimo, Head of Online at Screen Australia, also said: “In addition to the recent Revive announcements, from raising cattle in the Northern Territory to solving the mysteries of the Victorian Alps, these projects also include the following projects from Fuzzy Ghost’s award-winning team: Ambitious first-time developments It’s great to see the ambition and skill of local game creators, including developers and independent developers, progressing in their careers.”
The 11 games supported through this round of Screen Australia’s Games: Expansion Pack funding include notable games such as Misc. The next game from Fuzzy Ghost, the dynamic development duo behind A Tiny Tale, Conscript, and Queer Man Peering Into A Rock Pool.jpg – the charmingly titled Janet DeMornay Is A Slumlord (and a Witch).
Check out the complete list of recipients below.
Bilkins’ Folly (TAS): A puzzle adventure game from Webbysoft lead developer Luke Webster. Players play as Percival Bilkins, an extraordinary treasure hunter, as he explores the island and completes quests with his dog buddy Drayton to solve family mysteries, solve mysteries, and find hidden treasures. Must be. Bilkins’ Folly is funded with support from Armor Game Studios.
Call of the Golden Valley (VIC): A first-person female protagonist narrative adventure set in the Victorian Highlands, where players must search for a childhood friend who has disappeared into the bush without a trace. But she’s not alone. Something mysterious is drawing people to the mountains. Players explore rural towns and how fact intertwines with fiction as they navigate a mysterious countryside to find friends. The game was developed by O’Saurus Studios’ creative director Madeleine Clute.
Conscript (VIC): Adventure survival game from Catchweight Studio and lead developer Jordan Mochi. Set during World War I, this historically realistic gameplay requires you to navigate winding trenches, scavenge limited supplies, and solve complex puzzles while searching for your missing brother. The game follows a lonely French soldier. Developed in collaboration with VicScreen.
Copycat (NSW): A wholesome story-driven game about rejection, belonging, and the true meaning of home. The film follows the story of a newly adopted rescue cat who becomes the victim of an elaborate scheme when a jealous stray copy cat takes her place in the house. The game’s colorful visuals delight the senses while exploring dark emotional depths. Copycat was created by Spoonful of Wonder. The team includes Kostia Liakhov, Head of Art/Game Director, and Samantha Cable, Head of Narrative/Game Director.
Diets and Deities (NT): A rhythm cooking game that players can enjoy. In a world devoid of diversity and submerged in smashed avocados and vanilla soy lattes, players must cook to music and help the gods remember their culture. Each dish can also be made at home using original recipes in the game. Diets & Deities is created by Larrikin Interactive, whose team includes founder Dylan Bennett, creative director Miles McLoughlin, lead programmer Declan Smyth, chef Bininj, language and cultural consultant Ben Tyler, composer James Mangohig, and 2D artist Includes Skye Lavelle.
GHOST CAM (Washington): A spooky exploration game where players search for ghosts in an abandoned bedroom that stretches out into a maze. They’ll test their ghost-spotting skills, navigate creepy environments, uncover clues, and carefully unravel the story as their dreamscape may turn into a nightmare. The game was created by creative studio ARCH REBELS, whose team includes lead developer Amy Louise Doherty, lead programmer Miles Hansen, sound designer Chris Head, and systems designer Camille Woodthorpe.
Janet DeMornay Is A Slumlord (and a Witch) (NSW): Fuzzy Ghost’s horror-comedy game explores the anxieties of renting in a landlord-run world. Players explore a crumbling inner-city terraced house, solving puzzles and attempting to return to the real world while trying to avoid the increasingly threatening behavior of the housekeeper, the witch Janet. The creative team includes founders Pete Foley and Scott Ford.
Miscellaneous A Tiny Tale (WA): 3D platform adventure game from Tinyware Games and lead developer Michael Pearce. Players join Buddy and Bag Boy, two adorable robots made from various items, on an exciting journey as they help other robots, clean up messes, and make a difference. .
Pasture: The Livestock Simulator (NT): Set in the Australian outback, players experience the ups and downs of being a pastoralist, battling the weather, markets and Mother Nature to build a cattle empire. This farming simulator game is developed by Salty Games, including Managing Director Chas Cole, Lead Programmer Luke H, and Creative Director Nathan Groves.
The Sacred Acorn (SA): A Few Dragons is an adventure game in which players explore the beautiful and mysterious land of Tansira as the lovable and brave squirrel Imma. They must solve puzzles, discover secrets, defeat corrupt enemies, and make strange and cute friends to guide them on their adventures. The creative team includes developer Keirron Stach, art director Lauren Nicholls, and producer Vivian Vandal.
Trash (VIC): An online co-op survival crafting adventure game set on E-Corp Island. E-Corp Island is a beautiful post-human world where weird and wonderful trash-based life thrives. The player must explore the island’s different open-world biomes, collect materials, and create different character forms that give him unique abilities to survive the environment and solve challenges. Created by Bin Chicken Studios, technical director is Nick Margerison and creative director is Charlie Kenihan. Developed in collaboration with VicScreen.
