Central Europe

Gamecity Hamburg Funds 6 Digital Game Prototypes with 410,000 Euros in its 20th Anniversary Year

Published

12 months ago

May 15, 2023

Reading Time: 3 minutes

In the 2023 funding round, Gamecity Hamburg is supporting six game projects with a total of 410,000 euros as part of the Prototype Funding programme. This funding for companies and start-ups based in Hamburg enables the development of prototypes of digital games with high market potential. Among the funding recipients are three start-ups that have previously successfully graduated from Gamecity Hamburg’s Games Lift Incubator. The application phase for the incubator programme runs until June 20.

Once again, the awarding committee was impressed by the high quality of the submitted projects and decided to fully utilise the funding budget available for the 2023 Prototype Funding. The application phase for the next funding round will therefore start in spring 2024. Including this fifth funding round since 2020, the Prototype Funding supported the development of a total of 27 prototypes with 1,536,000 euros.

“The applications submitted show the positive effects of our further funding programs and offers for professionalization. Three teams of the projects funded in this round have already successfully completed our Games Lift incubator program. In addition to newly founded companies, experienced studios are also among the funding recipients. This once again shows the versatility and potential of Hamburg as a games location,” Dennis Schoubye, Head of Gamecity Hamburg, said.

The funded projects 2023

METACORE by Amberdive Interactive – € 80,000

Project Renaissance by Tiny Roar – € 80,000

Reddie – ReRun of Reality by Curvature Games – € 80,000

Light of Atlantis by DrownTown – € 70.000

Stack ‘Em Up by Godcomplex Games – € 70.000

How to Find Friends by Beardshaker Games – € 30.000

METACORE – Amberdive Interactive

Amberdive Interactive has further refined its co-op shooter METACORE in the Games Lift Incubator 2022. In teams of up to four, players fight their way through ruins on an alien planet and defend themselves against machine guards. Outstanding as a game mechanic are the multi-purpose cores – small high-tech spheres into which the players can transform themselves and which open many possibilities for team play.

Project Renaissance – Tiny Roar

In this point-and-click adventure game from established indie studio Tiny Roar (Wanderlust, XEL, Bomb Bots Arena, among others), players take on the role of Joy, who embarks on a path of self-knowledge after a baby literally falls into her hut. With Project Renaissance, Tiny Roar plans to appeal to genre fans as well as those who have avoided adventure games in the past.

Reddie – ReRun of Reality – Curvature Games

Curvature Games lets players conduct and immersively experience various experiments as the character “Reddie” in this innovative mixed-reality adventure. They switch dimensions and realities again and again to find the solution. By using mixed reality, the players also interact with the actual environment.

Light of Atlantis – DrownTown

In this 2D puzzle Metroidvania game with jump ‘n’ run elements, players do not control the lovingly drawn robot character in the underwater world of Atlantis, but the element “water” to solve puzzles and pass levels.

Stack ‘Em Up – Godcomplex Games

Up to four players compete in this crazy multiplayer party game. The players suck up cute “slime packets” just like their fellow players. This is how the so-called “stacks” are created, which leads to involuntary teamwork. Godcomplex Games used the Games Lift Incubator 2022 to fine-tune the game idea.

How to Find Friends – Beardshaker Games

How to Find Friends is a cozy hidden object game in which players must find extraordinary creatures in large-scale patterns. The protagonists Witch & Owl help and narrate the enchanting background stories of the wondrous creatures to the players along the way.

From March 3 to April 5, a total of 24 developers, startups, and companies from Hamburg applied for Gamecity Hamburg’s Prototype Funding. The awarding committee, consisting of Hamburg industry experts Nina Müller (Head of Publishing, Goodgame Studios), Jonas Hüsges (Publishing Director, Daedalic Entertainment), Valentina Birke (Head of Project, Indie Arena Booth/ Super Crowd Entertainment), Jens Unrau (Head of Department Media and Digital Economy of the Ministry of Culture and Media in Hamburg) and Dennis Schoubye (Head of Gamecity Hamburg) decided on the selection.

In addition to Prototype Funding, Gamecity Hamburg organises the annual Games Lift Incubator programme for all developers, teams, and start-ups from Hamburg’s games industry, regardless of the status of their games project. Each year, the Games Lift Incubator supports five teams with 15,000 euros and a comprehensive coaching, mentoring, and workshop programme by experienced international experts from the games industry. The teams also receive one-year support in the form of individual mentoring to work on their games and project ideas and develop them further.

Teams and developers can currently apply for the Games Lift Incubator until June 20.

Related Topics:Dennis Schoubye Gamecity Hamburg Games Lift Incubator

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Apparat Gaming and edict egaming announce partnership

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

George Miller

Apparat Gaming and edict egaming announce partnership

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Leading German software provider teams up with Hamburg-born aggregator to make full suite of slots available to customers in regulated markets worldwide

With immediate effect, German iGaming-business Apparat Gaming is teaming up with fellow Hamburg-founded company edict egaming. The former, having forged a reputation for providing premium casino content with a German accent, has thus joined forces with one of the country’s top aggregators in edict, one of the Merkur Group’s subsidiaries.

As a result of the deal, Apparat Gaming’s ever-expanding portfolio of 30+ quality slots, including recent releases like the high-octane Autobahn Alarm and the hotly-anticipated Fishin’ the Biggest, will be joining edict’s already widespread line-up of over 200 titles – making them now available to all operators who choose edict for their game aggregation needs.

This collaboration will give customers access to an even more diverse selection of games, all of which are fully compliant with the latest German regulation and certified for release in multiple markets.

Founded in 1998, edict was one of the industry’s pioneering online casino service providers before it was acquired by the Merkur Group a decade later. In 2021, the company added an aggregator solution to its offering, and it has been steadily developing this product ever since to a point where it now supplies content to over 150 operators and starts 8.5+ billion games per year.

Specialising in engaging titles that are supplied by some of Germany’s most popular studios, Apparat Gaming’s releases will certainly look right at home among the aggregator’s prestigious game portfolio – and both parties are already looking forward to a highly successful collaboration.

Martin Frindt, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Apparat Gaming, said: “Given Apparat Gaming’s German roots, we’re delighted to be teaming up with a Hamburg-born business-like edict. Adding our titles to their line-up will give operators access to our over 30 top slots that all come with our signature German accent, and we can’t wait to hear how they’re received by customers.”

Dominic-Daniel Lienard CEO at edict, said: “Since launching our aggregator solution, edict has compiled a stellar portfolio of releases from some of the top developers in Germany and beyond – and adding Apparat Gaming titles will strengthen this roster further. With great graphics, unique themes, and innovative bonus features, we’re sure their slots will be a huge hit with our operators.”

Central Europe

Wazdan amplifies Swiss presence with Swiss4Win launch

Published

1 week ago

April 19, 2024

George Miller

Wazdan amplifies Swiss presence with Swiss4Win launch

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Wazdan, the gain-focused developer behind some of the world’s most rewarding casino game experiences has further expanded in the regulated Swiss market, taking its games live with Swiss4Win.

The collaboration enhances Wazdan’s profile in the country with Swiss4Win’s leading online gambling platform revolutionising player experiences with the introduction of the studio’s exciting range of games.

As Wazdan continues to deliver the world’s most rewarding casino game experiences, this new partnership heralds a new era of entertainment. Players can look forward to a diverse selection of captivating slots designed to appeal to Swiss players.

In conjunction with this partnership, Swiss4Win unveils its new website, meticulously crafted to enhance user engagement. The platform boasts a cutting-edge SEO-oriented design, complemented by a sleek dark mode interface. With a heightened focus on slot providers, the website features a dedicated page showcasing premier gaming offerings.

Radka Bacheva, Head of Sales and Business Development at Wazdan, said: “We’re excited to join forces with swiss4win.ch to introduce our latest games to players worldwide. This collaboration represents a shared commitment to innovation and excellence in the iGaming industry.”

Paolo Sanvido, Chief Executive Officer at Casino Lugano and Swiss4Win, added: “Wazdan’s distinguished reputation stems from its exceptional graphics and innovative features, which have resonated with players globally. Its dedication to crafting enriching casino experiences offers players greater control over their gaming preferences and seamlessly aligns with our audience’s interests.”

Central Europe

Aleatrust Signs Up as Supporting Member of the Austrian Sports Betting Association

Published

1 week ago

April 19, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Austrian Sports Betting Association (OSWV) has welcomed Aleatrust as a new supporting member on board.

Above all, the comprehensive training offered by the E-Casino Academy launched by Aleatrust, which also focuses on the needs of the sports betting industry, is an important asset that will also be available to OSWV members from now on. Central topics such as money laundering prevention, data protection, data security and compliance, including anti-corruption, whistleblower protection and code of conduct, are of central importance here and are comprehensively covered by the E-Casino Academy.

Sharif Shoukry, Managing Director of OSWV, said: “The new active supporting membership of Aleatrust is an important step forward for the OSWV and its members. It provides access to tailor-made training that is specifically tailored to the requirements and challenges of our industry. We are convinced that this cooperation will make a significant contribution to professionalization and security in the Austrian sports betting market.”

A significant benefit of the partnership is the availability of their training programs online, allowing OSWV members to access essential knowledge anytime and anywhere. This flexible learning environment offers an optimal solution to meet the need for continuous education and training without relying on traditional, time- and location-bound training formats. This type of training not only saves valuable resources, but also allows for consistent and high-quality training of employees, regardless of their individual schedules or the location of the company.

“To be accepted into the circle of supporting members of the OSWV is a great recognition for Aleatrust. It confirms our commitment and expertise in developing and delivering world-class training programs that are specifically tailored to the gambling and sports betting industry,” Niklas Sattler, Managing Director of Alatrust, said.

Particularly noteworthy is the specialised course on money laundering prevention, developed in collaboration with the renowned expert Dr. Elena Scherschneva. Given their extensive experience and recognized expertise in training employees of numerous sportsbooks, the availability of this course online represents a unique opportunity for members to benefit from the highest level of expertise. This underscores the OSWV’s commitment not only to strengthen the industry in terms of compliance and security, but also to promote a responsible and honest betting environment.