Games Lift 2024: Hamburg's Selected Development Teams

The Games Lift Incubator, a specialized program based in Hamburg, Germany, serves to accelerate the professional development of local game studios through financial investment, mentorship, and collaborative workspace. The program’s primary objective is to bridge the gap between early-stage development and industry readiness by providing selected teams with comprehensive support from international experts in fields such as game design, business development, and marketing.

For the 2024 cohort, the selection process involved an evaluation of 21 applicant teams, from which five projects were chosen to receive 15,000 euros in funding each. The selected teams—Team Honeybeak, Rouven Cabanis, Duck 'n' Run Games, Triflgard, and Tales from the Garden—are currently engaged in a one-year support cycle. This includes access to a network of over 30 industry experts, shared office space in Hamburg to foster peer-to-peer collaboration, and opportunities to participate in international industry trade fairs to gain global market exposure.

The projects selected for the 2024 incubator demonstrate a diverse range of genres and mechanics, including 3D puzzle platformers, cozy town-building simulations, 2D metroidvanias, and cooperative PC titles. By facilitating this structured environment, the initiative aims to professionalize the local development landscape and provide emerging creators with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of the global games industry. The program continues to act as a central pillar for Hamburg’s regional game development ecosystem, emphasizing both creative innovation and sustainable business growth.