Apparently gaming is a big industry. There’s tons of money involved. Cue the European Union setting up a fund, so they can get in on the action and say that they were involved. Still, free money for Developers…

For the first time the European Commission has created a funding mechanism specificly aimed at game development projects upt to €100,000. Media 2007, the current media support program of the European Union, has for the first time placed a special focus on games development projects. Grants can be obtained for prototypes of games for consoles, PC, portable devices, and mobile phones.

The total budget amounts to 1.5 million Euro. The support covers all aspects of the production: concept, search for partners, acquisition of rights, design, programming, and development of marketing strategies. The support is direct aid, and not a loan to be repaid.

The minimum amount that can be applied for is 10.000 Euro per project, the maximum is about 60.000 Euro. But prototypes for PC, handheld and consoles can receive up to 100.000 Euro, and the grant can cover up to the half of the budget – with up to 60% for games concepts that focus on the cultural heritage and diversity of Europe.

To qualify for these grants projects must be presented by companies which have at least successfully developed one product since January 1, 2005, and whose head offices are located in Europe, or other states that participate in Media 2007. In the course of the reorientation of the Media 2007 program the game industry has been recognized as increasingly economic and culturally important factor, whose special needs must be considered.

The EGDF, which is the European Games Developer Federation has expressed in numerous meetings with the European Commission the necessity for such a programme. The General Secretary of the EGDF, Malte Behrmann, said: “This is the first visible sign of the success of our political work with the European Commission. We hope now, as the European Union has acknowledged the importance of our industry, that the developer community will harvest the fruits of our work and make their submissions for prototype funding. We would like to be informed about any experiences and problems any members have with the funding system, so that we can propose amendments if necessary”.

Game developers in Europe are now invited to submit their projects. The first application period for submissions to the European Union ends on November 15, 2007, and the second application period runs from November 16, 2007 to April 15, 2008.

Further information can be found at the EGDF website: www.egdf.eu