More initiatives of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft
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More initiatives of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft

Games Lift 2025: Apply now from May 2 until June 10

Applications for Gamecity Hamburg's 2025 Games Lift are open from May 2 to June 10. Five teams will receive financial support in form of 15,000 euros, a comprehensive workshop program and access to the Games Lift Network of international industry experts. In addition, the teams can benefit from 1,000 euros in coaching budget. After a three-month workshop phase, the teams will be further supported with individual mentoring and will travel together to an international industry event until August 2026.

Further components of the Games Lift program  

Indie developers who are accepted into the incubator can expect a year of support in form of knowledge transfer, provision of resources and a strong network.  

Specifically, the participants receive:  

  • 15,000 euros financial support  

  • An extensive workshop program tailored to the needs of indie developers  

  • Individual mentoring by five experienced industry professionals     

  • An additional coaching budget of 1,000 euro 

  • workspace for exchange and collaboration  

  • Joint trip to an international industry event 

  • Access to the Games Lift Network consisting of around 30 industry experts

  • Playtesting sessions and other internal as well as public events   

“Games Lift Insights” info event on May 8 with Cassia Curran

The online event Games Lift Insights” on 8 May at 2 pm will give a first insight into what the participating teams can expect in the incubator's workshop program. Cassia Curran, strategy and business development consultant for indie games and part of the Games Lift Network, will give an introduction to market analysis for indie games. In addition, the Gamecity team will provide information about Games Lift and the application process.

Further Informations, FAQ, required Templates and More

If you need to know more about the timeline and the games that have been funded, check them out here and read our FAQ for the Games Lift here

You can find all necessary information about the application process here

Further components of the Games Lift program  

Indie developers who are accepted into the incubator can expect a year of support in form of knowledge transfer, provision of resources and a strong network.  

Specifically, the participants receive:  

  • 15,000 euros financial support  

  • An extensive workshop program tailored to the needs of indie developers  

  • Individual mentoring by five experienced industry professionals     

  • An additional coaching budget of 1,000 euro 

  • workspace for exchange and collaboration  

  • Joint trip to an international industry event 

  • Access to the Games Lift Network consisting of around 30 industry experts   

  • Playtesting sessions and other internal as well as public events   

“Games Lift Insights” info event on May 8 with Cassia Curran

The online event Games Lift Insights” on 8 May at 2 pm will give a first insight into what the participating teams can expect in the incubator's workshop program. Cassia Curran, strategy and business development consultant for indie games and part of the Games Lift Network, will give an introduction to market analysis for indie games. In addition, the Gamecity team will provide information about Games Lift and the application process.

Further Informations, FAQ, required Templates and More

If you need to know more about the timeline and the games that have been funded, check them out here and read our FAQ for the Games Lift here

You can find all necessary information about the application process here

News

Games Lift: Curio Compass Points to New Ideas

The trio behind Curio Compass shows a knack for original ideas with “Limbo City AfterLIVE”. And in the Games Lift Incubator, they don’t shy away from making big changes.

SalsaShark Studios release Super Chipflake Ü: Quest for the Uncooked Schnitzel

Super Chipflake Ü is the debut game from Hamburg-based SalsaShark Studios. The entertaining, colorful 3D platformer is coming to Switch and PC on January 19, 2026.

Pitch Level Up

Gamecity Hamburg Preview for 2026

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Games Lift: Lots of News at Graduation

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Recap 2025

What do you mean, it’s time for the recap? Has it really been a year already?

Stellenausschreibung: Wir suchen eine*n Projektmanager*in in Teilzeit

Bewirb Dich jetzt als Projektmanager*in (w/m/d) in Teilzeit (20h/Woche) und werde Teil der Standort-Initiative Gamecity Hamburg.

Games Lift: Leif Gutowski plays with cursed trading cards

His idea sounds highly original. Once you meet its creator, you get where it comes from. “Encaged & Ungraded” is a reflection of Leif as much as it reflects the zeitgeist.

Games Lift: Fading Skies is a grand adventure for a small team

Ronja and Marc Fleps have been chasing a dream for years. “Fading Skies” is surprisingly ambitious. It is also surprisingly far along.

Recap: This was the Game Playtest Night #4 at XPERION Hamburg

What a night! Game Playtest Night #4 at XPERION Hamburg brought together developers and players for a a fantastic evening full of games, conversations, and creativity – and a one-of-a-kind opportunity to peek behind the curtain of game development.

Games Lift: Hacking and snacking with Project Slimepot

They impress the Games Lift Incubator as a flexible team, capable of rapid progress. No wonder: The four professionals behind Project Slimepot have real experience working together.

Portside Game Assembly 2026: Registration for conference has started

Following its successful premiere, the B2B conference Portside Game Assembly for established indie studios will once again cruise through Hamburg Harbour in June 2026. Organized by Gamecity Hamburg, the event features a curated participant list, with registration now open for studios with at least one released game.

Games Lift: Sharon Sacks and Vincent Will inject color into crime fiction

Developing games means solving problems. This duo makes it look deceptively simple: Two illustration professionals bring a clear vision to the Games Lift Incubator.

More News
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