Video Games Funding January 18th 2017 Orla Clancy Creative Europe Desk Ireland
What is Creative Europe? 7 year Programme (2014-2020) combines CULTURE and MEDIA under one umbrella 38 participating EU countries (Creative Europe Desks in each country) Offers funding for Development of European films, TV programmes and games Distribution and promotion of European films, festivals, cinema networks Training for cultural and creative professionals/artists Literary translations Cross-border cooperation
Budget 1.46 Billion
Offers funding for Development Training Markets Film Festivals Distribution New Technologies Exhibition
Support for the Development of European Video Games
Deadline Thursday March 2, 2017 11am Irish time!!
How much can I apply for? Between 10,000 and 150,000 For the concept and project development of an eligible game Covers development activities up to a playable prototype or trial version Max 50% of the total eligible costs of the action. 3.78 million total for upcoming deadline
Results for 2014, 2015, 2016 9.3 million 579 Applications 347 Eligible 85 Selected
Irish Beneficiaries 2014 3 applications 1 successful 2015 1 application 1 successful 110,000 60,000
Development - Video Games 2016 - Applications by country 138 applications 25 supported 15 projects received over 100,000 18% Success Rate
What is MEDIA looking for? European video game production companies with proven experience interested in developing a video game concept or project presenting: high level of originality, innovative and creative value, cultural diversity and enhanced Europe's cultural identity and heritage compared to existing mainstream works; high level of commercial ambition and extensive cross-border potential able to reach European and international markets.
What type of project is eligible? Narrative storytelling video games regardless of platform or expected distribution method. The story must be told or shown throughout the whole game (in-game storytelling) and not only as an introduction or an ending to the game. In all cases the video game must be intended for commercial exploitation. The production phase must not start before 8 months after applying Guidelines Section 6.2
What type of project is NOT funded? - reference works (encyclopaedias, atlases, catalogues, databases and similar); - "how-to" works (instructional guides, manuals and similar); - tools and software services aimed solely at technological development and/or used solely for further developing already existing game concepts; - information or purely transactional services; - projects promoting tourism; - multimedia art projects and installations; - websites being, or dedicated specifically to, social platforms, social networking, internet forums, blogs or similar activities; - projects including pornographic or racist material or advocating violence; - works of a promotional nature being part of a promotional campaign or advertising for a specific product and/or brand; - institutional productions to promote a specific organisation or its activities; - platforms for games; - (interactive) e-books, interactive fictions, interactive animations, interactive documentaries; - puzzle games, memory games, sports games, racing games, running games, rhythm/singing/ dancing games, social games, quiz games, party games, versus-fighting games, word and spelling games, number games, mind games.
Who can apply? European Video Game Production and/or development Companies Or Software Production and/or development Companies (NOT publishing or distribution) Registered with CRO for at least 12 months Must own the majority of rights related to submitted project and/or existing IP Recent Track record
What is Track record? The applicant company must have produced or developed a previous Video Game that is eligible under the terms described in Section 6.2 (Narrative Structure) Proof? Screenshot of the game credits This video game must have been commercially distributed between 01/01/2014 and the date you apply. Proof? Sales Report
What are the eligible costs? Only activities relating to the development phase of the video game are eligible (from initial idea, to production of the first playable prototype or trial version). The grant can be used in four main areas during the development phase: rights acquisition, research, writing, improving the character design, level design, gameplay etc. production of a playable prototype (trial version, alpha version or beta version whichever comes first) travel to meet potential investors, attendance at events and conferences, brochures, website, pitching documents staff salaries, insurance, legal and accounting costs The costs within the proposed budget are eligible from the date of submission of the application
At what stage should I apply? The beginning of the production phase must not be scheduled to occur within 8 months from the date of application. This includes the testing and debugging of your playable prototype. If you have already created/released a playable prototype of the video game, it is too late to apply.
Application time
First Step Register on the Participant Portal
Next Download the Application Form
Annexes to be attached to EForm ANNEX 1. ANNEX 2. ANNEX 3. ANNEX 4. ANNEX 5. Detailed description of the project in a single Word or pdf document. - artistic material such as pictures, graphic bible, script, storyboard, level & character design, creative director's note, etc. Detailed budgets and sources of finance in excel format Declaration on applicant's honour in pdf, jpg, jpeg or tiff format Track record of the applicant company/producer in word or pdf format Miscellaneous (additional material about the submitted project - LOI s etc.) (Max 10MB)
How the applications are assessed Applications are assessed in Brussels and eligibility is checked Applications are then sent to 2 experts (professionals working in the European Video Games Industry) to assess application & project Points Game!! Within the limit of the available budget, applications obtaining the highest scores will be selected.
1. Quality of the content, the storytelling of the project and originality of the concept against existing works 20 Points Criteria Points Analysis 1a. Quality of the storytelling & originality of the concept 10 quality of the storytelling originality of the concept 1b. Quality of the content 5 quality of the graphic & sound design (if available) quality of the level & character design (if available) visual approach 1c. Quality of the gameplay 5 quality of the proposed gameplay originality of the gameplay adequacy of the gameplay to the storytelling Video Games Funding 2016
2. Innovation i.e. the extent to which the project pushes the boundaries and offer proposing "cutting edge" techniques and content 20 Points Criteria Points Analysis 2a. Innovative techniques 10 Innovative aspects in terms of: gameplay use of new technologies or new platforms Graphical User Interface Head-up Display (or HUD) 2b. Innovative content 10 Innovative aspects in terms of: storytelling visual/graphic approach musical/sound approach Video Games Funding 2016
3. The development strategy and potential for European international exploitation (including management of IP rights) 20 Points Criteria Points Analysis 3a. The development strategy 10 adequacy of the development plan to the needs of the application sufficiency of detail adequacy of development schedule planned transnational appeal taking into account: the subject the type of game 3b. Potential for European international exploitation 10 potential to cross borders taking into account: the team the story and characters, the strategies presented Video Games Funding 2016
4. The distribution, communication and marketing strategy and suitability for the target audience including accessibility features 20 Points Criteria Points Analysis 4a. The distribution strategy 10 Relevance of the distribution strategy in terms of: distribution methods foreseen, choice of platform/media partners in place or envisaged awareness of the markets, European/ international vision choice of territories (local, European, international) 4b. The communication and marketing strategy 5 Relevance of the marketing strategy in terms of: marketing channels & promotional activities adequacy of the communication & marketing plan selling points 4c. Suitability for the target audience 5 Identified target audience taking into account: gender age game rating (PEGI or equivalent) type of users & platforms Project adapted to the target audience project encouraging accessibility for gamers with disabilities and other impairments Video Games Funding 2016
5. The roles and responsibilities of the creative team relating to the specific objectives of the proposed action 10 Points Criteria Points Analysis The roles and responsibilities of the creative team relating to the specific objectives of the proposed action 10 potential of the creative team adequacy of the team to the project complementary profiles in the creative team Video Games Funding 2016
6. The financing strategy for the development and production and the feasibility of the project 10 Points Criteria Points Analysis 6a. The financing strategy 5 quality and realism of the financing strategy / plan adequacy of the financing strategy compared to the estimated production costs awareness of the suitable potential partners experience or ability of the applicant to secure the necessary co-financing 6b. Feasibility of the project 5 likelihood to succeed due to artistic qualities potential to attract distributor(s) / publisher(s) potential to go into production sales potential and revenue streams Video Games Funding 2016
Extra Points! A project specifically targeted at children up to the age of 12 years old 5 Points Must be addressed clearly in the strategies
Results announced by August 2017 If successful 70% of award transferred on signature of contract Remainder transferred on submission of report
Contact Details: Orla Clancy orla@creativeeuropeireland.eu www.creativeeuropeireland.eu Callaghan House, 13-16 Dame St., Dublin 2 (01) 6791856 Creative Europe Desk Ireland MEDIA Office @CEDIrelandMedia