Games Lift Incubator

Games Lift supports developer teams in creating and refining concepts for digital games. Up to five teams are supported per year. They receive a workshop program held by experienced industry professionals, funding of 15,000 euros, individual mentoring, and space for collaboration and exchange.

The incubator’s goal is to enable indie teams to successfully develop and market their game projects by providing them with knowledge, resources and a strong network.

The application phase for Games Lift 2023 ended on June 20. Interested in applying next year? Leave us your name & email here and be among the first to know about upcoming application dates.

Application

What Games Lift offers:

Financial support of € 15,000
Talks and workshops tailored to the needs of game developer start-ups
Individual mentoring
Working and exchanging with other indie teams in an office in Hamburg’s HafenCity
Support by a PR agency specialized on indie games
Access to industry experts through the Games Lift Network

News

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Games Lift: Meet you at the top

For its 2023 edition, the Games Lift Incubator launches with a new space, new concepts, five brand-new teams - and with years of experience.

Games Lift Kick-Off 2023 in New SPACE Innovation Rooms

On Monday, September 11, 2023, the official kick-off of the Games Lift Incubator 2023 took place in the new SPACE innovation space of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft.

The five winning teams of Games Lift Incubator 2023

Games Lift 2023: These are the five teams

For 2023, five great teams of Hamburg game developers impressed the awarding committee of the Games Lift Incubator with their exciting projects.

Games Lift: No expiration date!

This year, Gamecity Hamburg's Games Lift Incubator is doing the same as in previous ones: it's evolving.

Application Start for Games Lift Incubator 2023

Developer teams can now apply from May 2 until June 20 for our Games Lift Incubator. This is their chance to get professional input on their game ideas and to successfully develop and market their game projects.

Games Lift Insights 2023: Workshop with Cassia Curran on May 16

At this Games Lift Insights workshop, indie devs will get an impression of what awaits in the incubator with a talk on "Basic Market Analysis for Indies" by Business Development and Strategic Advisor Cassia Curran. The Gamecity Hamburg Team will share insights into the Games Lift Incubator and application process as well.

Pitch Level Up 2023: Boost your pitch with expert feedback!

After the successful premiere last year, the Pitch Level Up is back on April 13, 11 am - 6 pm: Get individual feedback on your pitch deck from seasoned games industry professionals with different perspectives - to optimize your pitch for publishers, media, investors or funding institutions.

3 years of Games Lift: Getting better with age

Three successful years lie behind the Games Lift Incubator. Before we start the fourth one, we take a look back. Our alumni have a lot to show.

Games Lift Incubator: Grown together

The graduation pitch has marked the finale of Games Lift Incubator 2022. All five teams got to present what they achieved in the last three months. Not an easy task – but everyone came well-prepared. The setting was relaxed, the presentations strong.

Games Lift: Team Marty aim outside the box

The heroine may seem young and hot-headed, but there is an experienced team standing behind her: Babsi Bullet is an action-packed puzzle platformer for touchscreens. Team Marty are pouring their hearts into the game – and real craftsmanship.

Games Lift: Team ACAS get along with nuts and sledgehammers

Few games look as disarming from a distance: About Cannons & Sparrows is a metroidvania that starts with a small cannon hatching from an inconspicuous egg. The seasoned animation pros of Team ACAS may not have a finished game yet, but they do have a strong vision.

Games Lift: Elin Meinecke on sowing diversity

One person is behind farming sim RPG Evergreen Garden: Elin Meinecke is solely responsible for the art and game design of her project. She brings a degree in illustration to her work in the incubator – and inspiration from her garden.

Games Lift: Team Metacore is up for a challenge

Their hands are full. Their goals are big. But that is no reason to fret for Team Metacore. During our conversation, finding good answers comes to them as easily as sharing a laugh. The mood might make it into their project.

Games Lift: People make the Incubator

The Games Lift Incubator can only exist because many experts support it, teach and coach in it, and keep networking in it. Over 35 veterans from all areas of the games industry are with us. We have asked them why they are doing it and what keeps them coming back.

Games Lift: Team Godcomplex have thought this through

Would you have guessed that Team Godcomplex are already working on their third game? The four young professionals found each other at the university and have worked together ever since. With their party action game Stack’em up, they want to show what they have learned.

Games Lift: Quick Start in Year 3

Wait – the third iteration of the Games Lift Incubator is already well underway. How is it going? Like clockwork. Bolstered by two years of experience, the program has had an intensive start. Fortunately, this time there also is a break coming up.

Games Lift 2022: These are the five teams

Five teams have convinced the Games Lift awarding committee of the promising potential of their games projects with their pitch. They will start on September 12 with a three-month workshop and mentoring program with international industry experts, 15,000 euros in financial support and places in a Hamburg co-working space. Congratulation to all teams, and we are very much looking forward to seeing your projects evolve!

Games Lift: Good for you?

If things go well here, we like to keep them going. That is certainly the plan with our Games Lift Incubator. After two successful runs, preparations for the third are well underway. We are still open for teams with a strong vision and ambitious goals. But there’s only a few days left.

Games Lift Incubator - The Alumni's Experiences

The Games Lift Incubator is going into the third edition in 2022 already, so we took the opportunity to ask three alumni of the past two years about their experience with the program. These are three very different projects so we were especially curious about their impressions. You can currently apply to the 2022 edition of the Games Lift Incubator until June 14. We hope these reports on the Incubator will help you with your decision to apply.

Apply now for Games Lift 2022

From May 9 to June 14, you can apply for our Games Lift Incubator 2022! Take the chance to bring your game ideas and concepts for digital games to the next level!

Crumbling releases first VR-demo

“It’s action time! Woosh! Bam! Pow!” – this is how the official trailer adequately announces the freshly released demo of the third-person action-roguelike “Crumbling” by Games Lift Alumnus Ole Jürgensen and his team.

Games Lift 2021: Graduated!

For the people behind the project, Games Lift Graduation is a cause for celebration. After three intense months, they can pause for an evening and marvel at the accomplishments of the five incubator teams. For the actual team members, celebration comes only after the presentation. Find out all about our Games Lift Graduation event in this Games Lift Log.

Live today: Games Lift Graduation 2021

Five teams from Hamburg participate in our Games Lift Incubator 2021 with their promising games porjects from September to December - and now it's time to see what they have achieved and what they're up to. Join us for their final presentations on December 2 - live via stream or on-site in Hamburg!

Games Lift: ‘consider it’ get the green light

Timo Schneider and Kevin Westphal have been developing software successfully for years. Then something unexpected happened: An app of theirs was way too much fun to just be useful. With "supernightshift", they are taking the next step. Read more in our Games Lift Incubator Log.

Games Lift: Symmetry Break on finding words and time

Making games is a team effort. Symmetry Break are our biggest team this year; they have thought a lot about what their game is, and how they want to make it as a group. “Prospector” seems to reflect that. Communication is a crucial part of the game. Talking, it turns out, is harder than picking the right option. Read more about them and their game project in this issue of our Games Lift Incubator Log!

Games Lift: Denise Koch and her wicked plans

Her project casts a big shadow. But the artist is taking part in the Games Lift Incubator 2021 on her own. Denise Koch is here to kick-start her project "Monstersongs VR" – an interactive musical for virtual reality. More about her and her project in this issue of our Games Lift Log.

Games Lift: From one milestone to the next

In our Milestone Pitch event, our Games Lift participants presented their progress from the lessons learned in the Incubator program and pitched their development status in their games projects and concepts to mentors and the awarding committee. Find out more about our teams' progressions in our Games Lift Log #7.

Games Lift: SUPERNATURAL GAMES and their little green friends

Good things come to those who start: SUPERNATURAL GAMES are Gerrit and Patrick Henschel. The brothers have been successful in their separate careers. Now, they are working together on their personal dream game. With “The Treepoids”, they are winning over even skeptical experts. Find out more in our Games Lift Log!

Games Lift: tool1 build on their community

Meet tool1: Three guys with big plans and a clear strategy. Their project “The Invitation” already found some success. But it’s still early days; tool1 are planning big things for their audience next year. More in this issue of our Games Lift Log.

Games Lift: What we do in our workshops

Good things are happening in our Games Lift Incubator workshops right now. A lot of them are confidential. But some of them are not! We got to listen in on two veterans of game marketing and pitching. One of them is a new addition. Find out more in our new Games Lift Log entry!

Games Lift 2021 - New and Improved

After our first Games Lift Incubator 2020 was a success, we worked on the program for the new Games Lift teams 2021. Find out what is new and what improved in our Incubator Log #3

Games Lift 2021 - Accelerating Now

The preparations are done. Now comes the fun part: The 2021 iteration of our Games Lift Incubator has begun in full. Workshops are in session. Read more in entry #2 of our Games Lift Incubator Log.

Kick-off for Games Lift Teams 2021!

It’s on: Yesterday, we kicked off the intensive phase of Games Lift Incubator 2021 together with the five dev teams from Hamburg. For the next three months, the teams will be able to fully concentrate on their game ideas and attend workshops and individual mentoring sessions with international industry experts.

Games Lift Incubator: these are the five teams 2021

Five up-and-coming game developer teams from Hamburg convinced the awarding committee with their project ideas, pitching their way into the Games Lift Incubator 2021. The incubator program starts on September 9 and aims to prepare the teams for the challenges of developing and marketing their games projects in the international markets – through start-up funding of 15,000 euros per team and an intensive three-month workshop and mentoring program under the guidance of international industry experts.

Games Lift returns: Apply now to grow your game – like these developers did last year

Last year, Gamecity Hamburg launched the Games Lift Incubator. Five teams took their projects to the next stage during their time in the incubator. Now Games Lift is about to return.

Games Lift Insights on July 8: Basic Market Analysis for Indies

On July 8, our Project Manager Maggie Schneider and Cassia Curran, Founder and Strategic Advisor of Curran Games Agency, will provide insights into the Games Lift Incubator program and host a workshop on market analysis for indie developers. The workshop will be held in English.

Games Lift 2021 application phase has started

From June 21, the Games Lift incubator program launches its application phase for 2021, supporting five games developer teams in creating concepts for digital games with high market potential.

Games Lift Insights on June 3: Crowdfunding for Game Developers

On June 3, our Project Manager Maggie Schneider and Jan Theysen, Co-Founder and Creative Director of KING Art Games will provide you with insights into our Games Lift Incubator program and a basic workshop about crowdfunding for game devs!

Making game development work: Two examples from our Incubator

What is the best way to make a game? Don’t answer! It’s a trick question. There may never be one universal way of managing work across different teams and project sizes. Still, valuable lessons can be learned from the actual experience of the professionals in our teams.

The bar is set: Games Lift Graduation saw 5 strong presentations

We have reached our destination. After three months of hard work, our five teams got to present what they did during the Games Lift incubator. For most of them, this was their biggest showing yet. But to us, it did not feel like an exam – it felt like the celebration after.

Going Live: What to expect from Games Lift Graduation

You can see it in their faces, hear it in their voices, even tell it by the way their e-mails are worded: Our teams are excited. And they have very good reason to. On December 8, the Incubator will end with a public presentation. What’s in store?

Games Lift Graduation is here! Join us live on December 8

The five Hamburg-based teams of the first Games Lift Incubator are coming out of three months of intensive workshops and coaching concerning the development and marketing of computer games. In the final event on December 8, the founders will present how the mentors' input has been applied to further develop their game concepts.

How to promote an indie game: Insights from the Games Lift PR workshop

Working on Public Relations for video games is challenging; it is especially so for small game developers working on tight schedules and limited budgets. That is why at Gamecity’s Games Lift Incubator, PR is a special focus. We sat in on two luminaries coaching our teams.

Games Lift: The Amusement gives VR walking simulators a new meaning

It may be powered by a technical achievement, but this novel VR game is all about the story. Players will walk around a dilapidated amusement park, solve puzzles and take in the scenery. There is a layer cake of a tale to discover.

Games Lift: Leif’s Adventure builds on decades of experience

And it might be done soon! Developer Roman Fuhrer has worked at a variety of successful game studios. But this action-adventure is his very own. And he wants to get it just right.

Games Lift: In Alchymia, players won’t skip the fun

Developer Julia Reberg has a small, but enticing idea: Research alchemy in a fantasy world and find a miracle cure. If you don’t, Zombies will arrive and end the game. But we do not need to worry yet.

Time for the Milestone Pitch: What have the teams achieved in 6 weeks of Games Lift?

The Milestone Pitch on October 19 marked the end of the first half of Gamecity’s Games Lift Incubator 2020. In a two hour presentation, the awarding committee and mentors of the program got to check in on the progress of our five teams. There was a lot to see and talk about.

Games Lift: Crumbling feels like playing with action figures

Ole Jürgensen and Leonie Brosz still remember the way we all used to play when we were kids. Now, they are bringing it back. The novel idea at the heart of VR game „Crumbling“ is a really natural way of controlling your character.

Games Lift: Ninja Brigade will suck you into an Arcade

Or, to be more precise, it is keyboardist and composer Jonah Weingarten who gets sucked in. Players get to look like him and fight through a fantastic landscape inspired by feudal Japan. Dev team members Nico Plötz and Robin Stephan explain their wild idea.

5 unique ideas: The projects that make up Games Lift

It’s time to talk teams and projects. They define the Games Lift Incubator’s purpose: The whole point of the program is to help them thrive. In the coming weeks, we will take a closer look at each of them. But in order to get a sense of their diversity, let’s start with an overview.

Games Lift - What's in a workshop

Good workshops are hard to find. In the Games Lift incubator, they are a main attraction of the program. It’s seasoned game devs giving personal advice to a small group. But there is a crinkle: Because of the pandemic, this time around all talks and workshops of the Games Lift Incubator are being held remotely.

The Games Lift Incubator starts now. What does it incubate, exactly?

As another important program to support up-and-coming game developers and the games ecosystem in Hamburg, our Games Lift Incubator finally lifts off. Time for a quick inventory: What does the program do? What does it hope to achieve? We asked Gamecity Hamburg’s project manager Margarete Schneider to get us into the details of this new incubation program.

More News

Timeline 2023/2024

May 2 - June 20

Online Application Phase

Online applications for Games Lift 2023 were open from Tuesday, May 2 (1 pm) to Tuesday, June 20 (11:59 pm) 2023. All information regarding how to apply can be found on the Application page.

May 16 4:30 pm

Games Lift Insights

Join the Gamecity Team and Cassia Curran, Founder and Strategic Advisor at Curran Games Agency, for insights into our Games Lift Incubator program and a workshop about Basic Market Analysis for Indies. Participation is recommended for all teams who are considering an application.

June 20 - July 10

Awarding Process

After careful consideration of all eligible applications, the Awarding Committee invites a selection of applicants to pitch their projects online. The final decision on which teams will enter the Incubator is made after the online pitches.

September 11

Kick-off for Games Lift 2023

The Games Lift Incubator program starts in early September with workshops, the first batch of financing and an introduction to their mentors in a first mentoring session.

September - DecemberNow

Incubator Phase 1

In workshops and talks on several days per week, experienced industry professionals give guidance and concrete advice on topics like project management, pitching, financing, legal aspects or marketing.

December 7

Graduation

After completing the workshop program, the teams present the current state of their projects in a public pitch. Recordings of previous Games Lift Graduations can be re-watched here

December 2023 - September 2024

Incubator Phase 2

In regular, individual sessions, the teams receive coaching by their mentors. In addition, they are supported by a PR agency specialized in indie games. The Games Lift Network will be available for individual questions regarding all aspects of game development throughout the year.

Awarding Committee

Amanda Förtsch
Project Manager
Gamecity Hamburg
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Heiko Gogolin
Managing Director
Rocket Beans Entertainment
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Jens Unrau
Head of the Media and Digital Industry Department
Ministry of Culture and Media City of Hamburg
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Mareike Ottrand
Founder / Professor of Interactive Illustration and Games
Studio Fizbin / HAW Hamburg
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Ole Schaper
Managing Director The Sandbox Hamburg (Sviper GmbH)
The Sandbox
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Funded Projects 2023

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Dottobeau

by Dottobeau

„Dottobeau“ is a cozy point & click adventure that allows you to control the atmosphere of the game world. Switch through different moods of music and colors to influence the emotions of the world inhabitants, solve a series of puzzles and create your own little adventure.

We The Valarii

by Bagpack Games

We The Valarii is a couch co-op racing adventure for up to 4 players! Race WITH each other and accompany the sprouts of Mithem on their spinning pilgrimage using a unique input mechanic to speed up!

Map Map - A Game about Maps

by Pipapo Games

In Map Map you'll explore unknown islands as a cartographer and create maps of them.  Work as precisely as possible and form the image of the island.

Journey Beyond The Edge of the World

by Markus Koepke

An atmospheric first person adventure game in which the player solves puzzles to unfold a mysterious and surreal story. A story told in a unique way through 5 narrated music tracks.

Chaos Royale

by Monodot

In Chaos Royale you compete match after match to find the next unique and overpowered shooting synergy out of hundreds of combinations, blast your opponents away with it and be the last person standing!

All funded Projects

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Chaos Royale

by Monodot

Dottobeau

by Dottobeau

Journey Beyond The Edge of the World

by Markus Koepke

An atmospheric first person adventure game in which the player solves puzzles to unfold a mysterious and surreal story. A story told in a unique way through 5 narrated music tracks.

Map Map - A Game about Maps

by Pipapo Games

In Map Map you'll explore unknown islands as a cartographer and create maps of them.  Work as precisely as possible and form the image of the island.

We The Valarii

by Bagpack Games

We The Valarii is a couch co-op racing adventure for up to 4 players! Race WITH each other and accompany the sprouts of Mithem on their spinning pilgrimage using a unique input mechanic to speed up!

METACORE

by Amberdive Interactive

Funded with 80,000 €

METACORE is an Ancient Sci-Fi Co-op Shooter where you throw your crew into the action with the Core or pull them out of tricky situations to withstand the challenges of the mysterious ruins.

Stack 'Em Up

by Godcomplex Games

Funded with 70,000 €

Absorb and combine Slimes into unique abilities and stun and "stack" your opponents in this fast-paced and crazy on- and offline Multiplayer Party Game for up to 4 players.

About Cannons + Sparrows

by About Cannons + Sparrows

About Cannons + Sparrows is a side scrolling, physics based puzzle platformer with story driven genre twists.

Babsi Bullet

by Team Marty

Part teenager, part bullet: our eponymous heroine Babsi Bullet is a living missile. The 12-year-old fights otherworldly creatures on a flying alien planet that is menacingly approaching Earth.

Evergreen Garden

by Elin Meinecke

Evergreen Garden is a farm simulation role-playing game in which the player must consider the interaction of plants with each other and with the environment in order to achieve optimal yields. To restore the abandoned farm to its former glory, herbs and flowers must be skillfully used alongside lush crops to grow a healthy, varied and productive garden.

Misgiven (Working title PROSPECTOR)

by Symmetry Break Studio

Funded with 70,000 €

Misgiven is a 2D sci-fi narrative adventure game about that lump in your throat, and how some things are harder to say than others. As an explorer, you are stranded in a city veiled in toxic fog, whose inhabitants wear masks to survive. Find people you can trust in this alien place, and experience the awkwardness, anxiety and rewards of communication.

Monstersongs VR

by Denise Koch

Funded with 28,000 €

Explore an abandoned theatre that has been taken over by monsters who are hungry for love. Escape the monster lurking within yourself in this part rock musical part adventure game.

Absolute Matter (working title The Invitation)

by tool1

Funded with 60,000 €

Absolute Matter is a PvEvP loot shooter with a clear goal: maximum player interaction.

Quests in this game are not given by NPCs. They emerge from events, players and the environment, which frequently invite you to new adventures. This game was formerly known as the Invitation and received funding with this name.

supernightshift

by consider it

supernightshift is a minimalistic puzzle racer on the nightly streets of Hamburg. Strategically combine the different means of transportation the city has to offer to reach your destination as fast as possible. Watch your travel budget and don't dawdle on your smartphone, or you'll run out of time!

The Treepoids

by SUPERNATURAL GAMES

“The Treepoids and the Island of Professor Flora” starts the adventure series of the Treepoids a plantlike alien race that travels the universe to explore distant planets. Now they need your help! Use your wits and their mental superpowers to solve puzzles, master mind battles and stop the Professor from his evil plans.

Alchymia

by Pseudoscience Interactive

Funded with 70,000 €

Alchymia is a building and management rogue-like about the art of alchemy. Build complex apparatuses, study the effects of strange ingredients, create powerful potions and save your city from an approaching horde of undead!

Crumbling

by Team Crumbling

Funded with 39,782 €

Crumbling is a virtual-reality game where you wield an action figure in your hand against plastic toy monsters in meticulously hand-crafted dioramas.

Leif's Adventure: Netherworld Hero

by OneManOnMars Art & Games

A 2D action-adventure game with a unique 2 character system and a fantastic co-op mode for consoles and the PC. A demo is available on Steam.

Jonah Weingarten’s Ninja Brigade

by Impawsible Games

A fast-paced pixel art metroidvania, where the musician Jonah Weingarten is drawn to feudal Japan via an arcade station. Once there, he must face vicious yokai hordes and beat the game to return to his own era.

The Amusement

by Curvature Games

The Amusement is a narrative VR adventure that uses real walking to let you explore and discover the history of an abandoned amusement park in the 1920s.

How to Find Friends

by Beardshaker Games

Funded with 30,000 €

How To Find Friends is a cozy game that lets you take your time and relax.

Reddie - ReRun of Reality

by Curvature Games

Funded with 80,000 €

"Reddie - ReRun of Reality" is a mixed-reality puzzle game where the player takes on the role of a test subject in a series of eperiments, using the unique abilities of the Reddie characters to shift between different dimensions and realities.

Light of Atlantis

by DrownTown

Funded with 70,000 €

In this 2D-Puzzle-Metroidvania you control the water to solve puzzles and explore the mysteries of Atlantis.

Dein Skat

by Bestjack Entertainment

Funded with 70,000 €

In the mood for Skat, but all alone? Not a problem. With "My Skat" the classic card game will become available as a captivating single-player-game

Super Party Verse

by Super Crowd Entertainment

Funded with 80,000 €

Super Party Verse is a Hybrid Gaming Event App. Use your personal avatar to play multiplayer party games, visit hybrid entertainment events or create your own digital events!

Wanderful (working title HEXAGONE)

by Tiny Roar

Funded with 80,000 €

Wanderful is a Wholesome-Strategy-Game with a narrative touch, set in a colorful multidimensional setting. Place tiles to create a world piece by piece and send explorers on quests for loot and new pieces - while building up your highscore on the search for the ultimate adventure. Formerly known as HEXAGONE, the game got a new title in Oc

CR4NKUP

by CR4NKUP

Funded with 40,000 €

CR4NKUP combines gaming and sport in one world! Through the gamification of indoor bike training and innovative smart trainers, CR4NKUP brings indoor training to a new level and creates a virtual world in which thousands of players worldwide can ride with and against each other at the same time.

Mambio

by neurodactics

Funded with 39,273 €

Mambio can be used independently by elementary school children with and without disabilities. The learning software combines classic learning methods and new developments from research to provide children with mathematics lessons specifically designed for them.

ARC Break

by SpiceVR

Funded with 50,000 €

In the VR Game ARC BREAK, an Arcade Game comes to life and breaks free from its digital borders, threatening to conquer the world. The player is earth's last chance to save us all.

Fantasma Ville

by Torito Games

Funded with 19,140 €

Fantasma Ville is a puzzle-platformer game about guilt and redemption, where the player controls a memoryless ghost tasked to uncover why the village inhabitants and himself died.

Rocket Science GONE WRONG

by Soapbox Interactive

Funded with 48,000 €

Rocket Science GONE WRONG is a competitive first person shooter with a 100% destructible world.

The Hunt for Epic Treasure

by Elecular

Funded with 35,200 €

The Hunt For Epic Treasures is set during the medieval Viking ages in northern Europe. This game is a mix of Action Role-playing Game (ARPG) and strategy where you fight your way to become the leader of your tribe, and eventually start developing your small Viking village into a grand settlement.

Lost Sector

by Invariant Games

Funded with 73,270 €

Explore the threatening sci-fi world of Lost Sector and master the souls-like combat. Defy overwhelming odds to overcome evolving creatures and gradually changing environments in this unforgiving third-person action-roguelike.

PROJECT MORPH

by THREAKS

Funded with 70,000 €

TRANSFORM INTO THE MONSTERS YOU KILL!
Utilize enemy DNA to transform yourself into various alien creatures and save the galaxy from the apocalypse in this souls-like sci-fi action-RPG.

Soulitaire

by Beardshaker

Funded with 48,000 €

The prototype of "Soulitaire" will give a first polished impression of the planned solitaire gameplay and dark fantasy setting.

Stadtkinder

by Studio Monstrum

Funded with 48,000 €

In the VR game "Stadtkinder" the player accompanies a group of youths on their expedition through a seemingly deserted Metropolis in search of a lost friend. These challenges have to be tackled by employing a mechanic called "multithreading" which enables the players to cooperate with their own avatars from the past.

Turbo Shell

by Radioactive Dreams

Funded with 31,273 €

Turbo Shell is a fast-paced 2D platformer with a unique movement mechanic: instead of running and jumping, you push and pull yourself through a sci-fi world with the help of a special tool. The release of the final game is scheduled for 2022. A free demo including all levels of the first world in Turbo Shell is available on Steam.

Wild Woods

by Octofox Games

Funded with 80,000 €

Wild Woods is a couch coop action game with roguelike elements. One to four players take on the roles of brave little cats defending their wooden wagon on its way through a dangerous forest.

Out of Place

by Bagpack Games

Funded with 80,000 €

Prove yourself in the mysterious world of Mithem! Defeat your enemies using your companion while also protecting him courageous during frightening segments. Help Simon to find a way back home and restore a war-scarred world in a tale of friendship, hope and courage.

Mentoring

The participating teams will be accompanied by five industry professionals who will give individual guidance in several mentoring sessions throughout the year. Topics for these mentoring sessions range from business development to general feedback on the game concept, production planning, business operations or team building - all based on the teams' individual needs.

Mentors 2023/2024

Björn Bergstein
Coach & Consultant for Management and Leadership
Bergstein Consulting
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Daniel Marx
CEO & Game Director
Osmotic Studios
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Manny Hachey
COO and Business Development Manager
THREAKS
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Søren Lass
Business Development Consultant
Self Employed
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Steffen Rühl
Managing Director
ruehl::gameconsult
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Network 2022

Abir Roy
Principal Business Development Manager Central Europe
Amazon Web Services
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email
website

André Bernhardt
Master of Secret Things
IndieAdvisor
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Björn Bergstein
Coach & Consultant for Management and Leadership
Bergstein Consulting
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Cassia Curran
Business Development & Strategic Advisor
Curran Games Agency
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Christiane Gehrke
Senior Event Communications Manager & Sales Manager
FACTORY-C Agentur für Messen & Kommunikation GmbH
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Christopher Kellner
Head of Business Development
astragon entertainment GmbH

Dr. Christian Rauda
Fachanwalt für IT-Recht sowie Urheber- und Medienrecht
GRAEF Rechtsanwälte
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Christopher Clarke
Co-Founder
Plan of Attack
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twitter

Daniel Marx
CEO & Game Director
Osmotic Studios
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Fernando Forero Pinilla
Senior UI Artist
Blizzard Entertainment
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Heather Chandler
Game Development Consultant
Heather Makes Games
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Henning Steinbock
Gameplay Programmer
Triband
twitter
email

Irene Preuss
Marketing Manager
Happy Broccoli Games
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Jacky Martin
Founder
Gentleland®
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twitter

Jan-Peter Ewert
Business Development & Legal
Valve
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Johannes Kuhlmann
Technical Director
FISHLABS
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Jörg Luibl
Journalist
Freelancer
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Kathrin Radke
Co-Founder & Programmer
Spellgarden Games
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Kristopher Atwood
Senior Business Development Manager
Twitch
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Markus Windelen
Partner & Director Operations
Nordisk Games
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Maria Lesk
Localization Director
Daedalic Entertainment GmbH

Michael Schieben
Co-Founder and Facilitator
Field.so
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Nadja Clauberg
2D Artist
Freelance
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Olaf Bulas
Game Designer
Threaks
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Ole Schaper
Managing Director The Sandbox Hamburg (Sviper GmbH)
The Sandbox
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Paulina Kwiecińska
Head of Business Development
Tencent/Untold Tales
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Rebecca Lautner
CBO
Landfall Games
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Roman Fuhrer
Founder
OneManOnMars Art & Games
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Sasha Volkohon
Business Development Manager
remote control productions GmbH
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Steffen Rühl
Managing Director
ruehl::gameconsult
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Stephan Beier
Director of Studio Operations
FISHLABS
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Steve Bromley
Games User Researcher
gamesuserresearch.com
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Tereza Sommerfeld
Founder and Managing Director
allaboutHRlaw
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Tobias Kringe
Founder
Bytro Labs
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Valentina Birke
Head of Project
Indie Arena Booth
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Wolf Lang
CEO
Super Crowd Entertainment GmbH
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Watch the Graduation of the 2022 teams

Application

The application phase for 2023 ended on June 20. Interested in applying next year? Leave us your name & email here and be among the first to know about upcoming application dates. The next application round will also be announced on this website, on social media and in our monthly newsletter. Find out everything you need to know about applying for Games Lift, eligibility criteria, and the application process here.

Application

FAQ

What are the goals of the Games Lift Incubator? ↓

The Games Lift Incubator aims to enable young developer teams to create successful concepts for digital games with high market potential. Its mission is to provide the developer teams with the necessary resources to allow them to work on their projects with high concentration accompanied by input from experienced industry professionals.

Who can apply for the Games Lift Incubator? ↓

Eligible to apply are both natural persons as well as Small and medium-sized companies (SMEs); developers and developer associations, student teams, start-ups, and teams in the process of founding a company.

Please note:

Team size should not exceed 5 members per team.
All team members should be available to attend Games Lift events and workshops during the incubator year. Please note that Phase 1 (September to early December) can be very time-consuming with several workshops and meetings per week.
The precondition is always that the team 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 entering the Games Lift Incubator program.

When and how can I apply? ↓

Gamecity Hamburg runs one application period for Games Lift each year. The application phase for Games Lift 2023 ran from May 2 (1:00 pm) to June 20 (11:59 pm). The next application round will be announced in early 2024. To make sure you are up to date with all deadlines regarding our funding programs, join our Discord Server and subscribe to our monthly newsletter. A detailed document on How to apply for the Games Lift Incubator can be found here and will take you through the application form step by step.

We strongly recommend a consultation appointment before submitting the application. Please contact us at funding@gamecity-hamburg.de to set up an appointment and include the following information:

Short project outline (max. half a page of text or a slide) of the project
Background of the team (max. half a page of text or a slide)
All your questions regarding the application

Interested in applying next year? Leave us your name & email here and be among the first to know about upcoming application dates.

What does the Games Lift Incubator offer? ↓

Games Lift supports participating teams for one year: they receive financial support of 15,000 euros, individual mentoring, access to a broad network of industry professionals, and the opportunity for close exchange with other games start-ups. At the heart of the incubator program, there is a workshop program tailored to the needs of game developers from September to early December.

All FAQ