By qualifying for this funding program, which is unique in Germany, the teams benefit from one year of support including a workshop and mentoring program with international industry experts and 15,000 euros in financial funding, as well as workplaces in a Hamburg office for collaboration and exchange with the other participating teams. More than 30 experts in game design, product development, pitching, business development, press relations and marketing from the Games Lift Network share their experience with the teams to give the games projects a professional start into the industry. Additionally they will get the chance to visit an international industry fair event accompanied by Gamecity Hamburg to learn more about the international business behind the games industry.

A total of 21 teams and solo developers from Hamburg applied for the fifth Games Lift Incubator. The awarding committee chose the five participating teams after the pitch presentations from all applicants who passed the first stage of the application process.

The five projects and teams in the Games Lift Incubator 2024:

• ForeFeathers by Team Honeybeak 

• Frisia - Cozy Villages by Rouven Cabanis  

• Light of Atlantis by Duck 'n' Run Games

• Pubcrawler by Triflgard 

• Tiny Garden by Tales from the Garden 
   

 

ForeFeathers by Team Honeybeak is a 3D puzzle platformer where players slip into the role of an adoreable penguin who explores the sky-high ruins of an ancient civilization of birds. Traversing the flying islands with the ancient powers of flight, solving tricky puzzles and keeping the penguin’s friends away from trouble are some main aspects of the game.  

In Frisia – Cozy Villages by Rouven Cabanis the player gains control over an uninhabited North Sea island and is tasked with building a functional, yet cozy and beautiful little town. Inspired by the frisian architecture of the Dutch and German North Sea coast, Frisia aims to create a cozy gameplay experience in harmony with simple town-building and strategy game mechanics.  

Light of Atlantis by Duck ‘n’ Run Games is a 2D puzzle metroidvania in which players take on the roles of various robots with individual abilities to explore the sunken ruins of Atlantis. By draining and releasing water into the various rooms, the robots shape their environment and improve their chances against different enemies. Light of Atlantis received Gamecity Hamburg prototype funding in 2023.  

Pubcrawler by Triflgard is a co-op PC game in which up to four players need to work as a team, to navigate a giant, mechanic, wandering pub through an apocalyptic wasteland. In the process, they must complete a variety of challenging tasks that can only be mastered as a team. Working together efficiently, pleasing the different guests and keeping a cool head even when the giant pubcrawler faces technical issues are the key to a successful journey. 

In Tiny Garden by Tales from the Garden players slip into the role of a deity who fills a deserted planet with life. Together with their servants, a group of cute leaf creatures that must be protected from evil spirits, they plant a constantly growing garden. As soon as the garden is fully grown, the evil spirits can be soothed and the player can move on to the next planet in help. 

For more information on this year's games projects, visit the Games Lift Incubator website. To never miss any updates from Gamecity, subscribe to the official newsletter.  

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