Creative Europe has opened its application window for funding dedicated to the development of narrative video games and immersive interactive content. The initiative aims to support the creation of prototypes, specifically targeting either a "First Playable Prototype" or a "First Trial Version." A total budget of seven million euros is available to assist eligible studios in advancing their projects, with individual grants covering up to 60% of eligible costs, capped at 200,000 euros per project.
To qualify for this funding, applicants must be European companies whose primary corporate purpose involves the production of games, audiovisual content, or extended reality (XR) experiences. A mandatory requirement for eligibility is the submission of at least one reference project that has been commercially exploited internationally between January 1, 2021, and the application deadline. While the reference project must be verifiable through sales reports, it is not required to be narrative in nature.
The application period for this funding cycle runs from October 1, 2024, through February 12, 2025, with potential funding disbursements scheduled to begin in November 2025. To assist interested parties with the submission process, a free informational webinar is scheduled for November 6, 2024. This program represents a significant opportunity for European developers to secure financial backing for early-stage interactive and narrative-driven content.