On a Monday evening at nine o’clock in Hamburg Hafencity, the lounge furniture in the SPACE Am Sandtorkai is still packed. According to the schedule, the kick-off event is already over. However, people cannot say goodbye. The anticipation is palpable. Teams are still busy getting to know each other. And the mentors and alumni present may give a hint; what will happen in the next few months? What is possible here? Find photos of the kick-off in our gallery. 

A lot

There was much to do on the kick-off day. Teams stood together for a group photo. Mentors introduced themselves and got to know the newcomers in one-on-one sessions. Project manager Margarete Schneider outlined the Incubator’s program. And, of course, the teams presented their own projects.

The incubator continues to get better with experience. But what is already good will return; many mentors and workshop leaders from previous years are back again.

Extravagant birds and animated USPs

Honeybeak, the team behind ForeFeathers, moved to Hamburg to participate in the Incubator. They share an intriguing background. The four bring different specializations to the project, but they all are artists. To pronounced effect: each extravagant bird illustration in their concept for a 3D puzzle-platformer made us want to become a penguin already and explore a lost civilization. Honeybeak know that there is a lot of other cute platformers out there, but they show a sharp vision that goes beyond the usual collecting or fighting of their genre peers.

Duck’n’Run presented themselves like seasoned professionals. Their project Light of Atlantis has already caused a stir and was awarded for the “best prototype” at the Deutscher Computerspielpreis. Their Metroidvania combines a unique look with fresh gameplay. And they know how to get a point across – a short animation was sufficient to capture their Unique Selling Point. Those who could not be there should check out the demo – it is available on Steam. The trio has clear goals and responsibilities. It certainly does not look like it needs any help with development! However, they seek advice on their marketing strategy and ponder the question of whether to self-publish or to seek a partner. Issues like these play a major role in the incubator.

Coziness, drinks, and gardens go together

As one of two solo developers, Rouven Cabanis is part of this year’s Games Lift Incubator. His project Frisia offers stunning views of Frisian coastal landscapes and idyllic cottages in high and low tide. Cabanis did not talk for long, but he did not have to. He can explain where he wants to go with his cozy building game in few words. And he can already show it – the demo is live on Steam.

Triflgard appear to be three buddies with a shared sense of humor. In their title Pubcrawler, wordplay hangs heavy in the air: "Drink and Drive a Bar" is the shortest way to sum up their idea. Up to four players cooperatively steer a robot-like pub monstrosity through an apocalyptic wasteland. The concept seems absurd and funny. And the team behind it can even be funny in the context of a PowerPoint presentation.

Sven Mehlhorn did not need PowerPoint at all. The experienced illustrator and artist creates Tiny Garden, a friendly world-building game that he explained live in an interactive version customized just for this presentation. All his strengths were immediately apparent: affectingly animated plant people, convincing illustrations, charming analog sounds. Sven may still have questions about the design of his game, but he showed incidentally what he is able to accomplish with little time.

The Games Lift Incubator is an intensive and demanding program for those involved. But for this first evening, the air was buzzing with energy. The teams have a lot to look forward to. And we are looking forward to getting to know them better – here on the Games Lift log.

Photos by Jan-Marius Komorek.