FAQ

What can be funded?

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The purpose of funding is to develop marketable prototypes of digital games. For the purposes of these guidelines, digital games are interactive electronic works, i.e. software that is based on a game idea, game rules and game objectives, responds to user input, generates moving image content, serves educational or entertainment purposes, and is intended for publication, in particular, computer and video games (Games). Not eligible for funding are digital games that violate the constitution or applicable law and contain content that glorifies violence, incites hatred, pornography or racism.

Who can be funded?

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Developers and developer communities (natural and legal persons), as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are already resident in Hamburg or can prove that they will relocate their headquarters to Hamburg or open a branch or business premises in Hamburg upon receipt of funding, are eligible to apply. The prerequisite for payment of the first instalment is the actual existence of a business premises in Hamburg. For the purposes of these guidelines, an SME is defined as an enterprise which, at the time of application, employs fewer than 250 persons and whose turnover in the preceding year did not exceed 50 million euros. Also, the applying company must not be owned as to 25 percent or more of the capital or the voting rights by one or more enterprises that do not meet the definition of an SME.

How much funding can I receive per project?

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The grant may amount to up to 80 percent of the estimated project costs but not more than 80,000 euros per project. If it is planned to finance the project through simultaneous funding with funds from the prototype funding and the federal computer games funding (Computerspielförderung des Bundes) or comparable public funding (cumulation of funding), a project can be funded by Gamecity Hamburg with a maximum of 120,000 euros. Applicants who wish to cumulate funding and submit a corresponding cost and financing plan are thereby obligated to apply to the other funding programs. For a cumulation, funding recipients must fulfill the requirements of all participating funding programs.

As de-minimis funding, the total amount of prototype funding may not exceed a total of 200,000 euros over a period of three years.

What do I have to consider in order to apply for funding?

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• The applicant specifies in the application, in which state of development the project is. Generally, projects can be submitted as long as there is only a pitch deck and a description of the project, if they are still in the concept phase or if there is a first playable demo.
• Projects for which prototype development has already begun are not eligible.
• Prior experience in game development is an indispensable prerequisite for developing a prototype with market opportunities.
• The precondition is always that the applicant is already based in Hamburg or can prove that they will relocate their residence to Hamburg or open a subsidiary or branch establishment in Hamburg upon being granted funding.
• A competition analysis and exploitation strategy are required in order to assess the market potential.
• The awarding of funding is based on various criteria such as the promotion of young talent, the team, market potential, and location effect, to which the applicant should refer in his application.

What should I prepare for the consultation appointment?

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A consultation appointment with Gamecity Hamburg is mandatory before application. Before making an appointment, it is essential that the applicant has carefully read the guidelines for funding prototypes, the FAQ, and the application form (https://airtable.com/shriLG0QklFbSp1b4). The following information from the applicant is also required when making an appointment by e-mail to funding@gamecity-hamburg.de:

1. Short project outline (max. half a page of text or a slide) 
2. Aimed funding amount for the project / planned proof of personal contribution
3. Concrete questions regarding the application / funding of the project

What is the Diversity Checklist?

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The Diversity Checklist is part of the application process since the first funding round in 2024. In this checklist, information is provided on how diverse the team is and to what extent the project includes diverse topics and characters.Our aim is to encourage applicants to critically question their own structures and habits in relation to the project. Applicants whose team and/or project contribute to the diversity of Hamburg's games landscape can receive a bonus in the evaluation by the awarding committee. On the contrary, applicants are not disadvantaged in the evaluation process if that is not the case for their team and/or project. Find the Checklist in Downloads.