Funding for Digital Games and Interactive Content

The funding of digital games and interactive content in North Rhine-Westphalia is aimed at companies and self-employed individuals with headquarters, business premises, or branches in the state. The objective is to support high-quality projects in the fields of culture, digitalization, as well as culture & media through partial grants for concept and prototype development and interest-free loans for the production phase. During concept development, up to 80% of the estimated costs can be funded (maximum €20,000), while prototype development grants amount to 50% (in exceptional cases up to 80%, maximum €80,000 or €100,000 for complex projects). For the actual production, interest-free loans with a funding rate of 50% are available, with up to €500,000 awarded per individual project. A minimum own contribution of 10% of the eligible expenses is mandatory. Funding decisions are made by a committee based on a criteria catalog that evaluates the cultural content, local anchoring as a cultural and creative platform, as well as design, creative, and technological innovation.

Interested parties are companies and self-employed individuals whose projects have not yet started at the time of application. A prior consultation with the Film- and Media Foundation NRW and fulfillment of the formal funding requirements are prerequisites. Applications must be submitted punctually by the specified deadlines and include the fully completed application form, a project description, a detailed budget calculation, proof of total financing, and confirmation of the consultation. Funded projects contribute to strengthening the regional media industry and promote the media talent in North Rhine-Westphalia by initiating innovative, culturally significant games and interactive formats.