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

Hamburg prototype funding 2020: 7 game projects funded with 430,000 euros

Hamburg supports 7 game projects with 430,000 euros in first round of new prototype funding initiative

With its new prototype funding, Gamecity Hamburg supports seven promising game projects with a total funding sum of 430,000 euros. 35 projects have been submitted during the first round. The high number and quality of submissions demonstrate the importance of the games industry for Hamburg and affirm the strategy to develop the location’s potential in a sustainable way.

For the funding period of 2020, the Ministry of Culture and Media Hamburg supplies a one-time increase of 30,000 euros for the funding budget.

Dr. Carsten Brosda: "Hamburg’s Minister of Culture and Media: „Hamburg is one of the largest locations for the development and marketing of computer games in Europe. Not only does the games industry contribute to the economic strength of the city, it is also an important starting point for many young people in their endeavor to explore innovative technologies. With the new prototype funding, we are giving an important stimulus especially for start-up studios who will strengthen Hamburg’s media and games network for the long term. The high quality as well as the high number of submissions demonstrate the large potential available here in Hamburg."

Dennis Schoubye, Project Lead Gamecity Hamburg: "Having reviewed all submissions and after numerous conversations with the teams, I’m delighted to once again notice that Hamburg is home to excellent developers who are working on a range of very promising projects. There are some brilliant games on the way, which we as Gamecity Hamburg will support as a reliable partner with the prototype funding initiative and our new Incubator."

After the application period from March 31 to May 25, during which Gamecity Hamburg held more than 40 consultation meetings, online pitches with a selection of the most promising projects were held in June.

After thorough discussions, the awarding committee consisting of Mareike Ottrand (founder of Studio Fizbin, Professor of Interactive Illustration and Games at HAW Hamburg), Michael Schade (Co-Founder and CEO of Rockfish Games), Nina Müller (Head of Studio Goodgame Studios), Jens Unrau (Head of the Media and Digital Industry Department at the Ministry of Culture and Media in Hamburg) and Dennis Schoubye (Project Lead Gamecity Hamburg) decided on seven projects.

Applied criteria besides the project and the team were aspects of the promotion of young talent, feasibility, location effect as well as market potential. Due to the high quality of the submissions, it was a narrow decision for the funded projects based on shoulder to shoulder assessments.

 

Overview of the funded projects:

  • Wild Woods by Team Octofox                                          80,000 €
  • Out of Place by Bagpack Games                                     80,000 €
  • Lost Sector by Team Lost Sector                                    73,270 €
  • Project MORPH by THREAKS                                          70,000 €
  • Soulitaire by BeardShaker                                                48,000 €
  • Stadtkinder by Studio Monstrum                                     48,000 €
  • Lazor Punx by Team Radioactive Dreams                      31,273 €

The seven projects receiving funding represent the kick-off for the already started funding initiative by the City of Hamburg and Gamecity Hamburg. 400,000 euros per year are initially available for the funding of prototypes until 2023. The application phase for the next funding round will start in March 2021.

Within a short time, the application period for the new Gamecity Incubator program will start, which besides financial support will most notably offer informational support through coaching, mentoring as well as co-working facilities. All dates and further information can be found at www.gamecity-hamburg.de/funding.

News

Gamecity Hamburg Prototype Funding 2025: Six Prototypes Funded

In the latest round of funding 2025, Gamecity Hamburg supports six promising digital games with up to 80,000 euros each as a non-repayable grant.

Deutscher Computerspielpreis 2025 Photo by Franziska Krug/ DCP via Getty Images

Games Lift: An Incubator With Quantifiable Success

Is the Games Lift incubator worth it? Sure. Anyone can say that, but facts are better than empty claims. We have numbers to show what the incubator brings. 

Applications open for “Games Forged in Germany”: The Steam Sale organized by Games Germany enters its fourth round

German Developers, studios and publishers with their headquarter in Germany can now apply for the Games Germany Steam Sale for "Games Forged in Germany" 2025 until June 9, 2025.

Portside Game Assembly: Conference Speaker and Program Announced

Portside Game Assembly will take place on June 27, 2025 - Time to announce the full conference speaker and program line-up! This new dedicated B2B conference invites dedicated international indie game leaders aboard a ship cruising Hamburg’s famous harbour. In this focused and collaborative setting, indie leaders and decision makers will engage in a curated program of keynotes, impulse talks, and roundtables.

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.

Road to Nordic 2025 - These Four Hamburg Games are Traveling to Malmö

With a spacious expo area, exciting developer showcases and many opportunities for business meetings, the Nordic Game Conference is one of the most important games conferences in Europe. It offers developers plenty of opportunities to network and meet relevant business contacts in person. Gamecity Hamburg will be back again in 2025, bringing four indie games from Hamburg to Malmö as part of the “Road to Nordic” program.

Road to gamescom 2025 - Apply until April 16!

Road to gamescom is back: We offer spots at our joint Gamecity Hamburg booth at the Indie Arena Booth for Hamburg-based studios, teams and devs. Apply now until April 16!

Prototype Funding 2025: Applications open until April 7

Applications for Gamecity Hamburg's 2025 prototype funding are open from March 3 to April 7. This year's funding round provides 400,000 euros in total and up to 80,000 euros per accepted application team.

Road to Nordic Game 2025

Gamecity Hamburg offers a Road to Nordic Game Conference program: We offer four spots at our Gamecity Hamburg booth for Hamburg-based studios, teams and devs. Apply now until March 30!

Recap: This was Pitch Level Up 2025

The fourth round of Pitch Level Up took place on February 20, 2025. Read our recap here in order to learn more about this beloved mentoring event, which will come back 2026.

School Internship Games January 2025: Pupils discover games industry in Hamburg companies

During a three-week internship, 15 9th grade students from Hamburg gained insights into the various job profiles and companies in the games industry. We visited them for their final presentation and found out what they learned.

Portside Game Assembly: Ticket sales for brunch and party launched

With Portside Game Assembly, Gamecity Hamburg is welcoming studio heads and directors from successful indie game studios on a conference ship and other extraordinary locations in Hamburg on June 27, 2025. More participating studios are announced and the ticket sale for all events has started.

More News
Cookies are used to make this website work and to enhance your experience.

To learn more about the types of cookies this website uses, see our Cookie Policy. You can decide for yourself which categories you want to allow. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available.

Cookies are used to make this website work and to enhance your experience.

To learn more about the types of cookies this website uses, see our Cookie Policy. You can decide for yourself which categories you want to allow. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available.

Your cookie preferences have been saved.