gamescom 2019: Neue Förderung für Hamburger Indies

Gamecity Hamburg, in collaboration with the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft and the Authority for Culture and Media, launched a targeted funding initiative in 2019 to support local independent game developers. The primary objective of this program is to lower financial barriers for Hamburg-based indie studios seeking to showcase their projects at the Indie Arena Booth during Gamescom. By providing both financial assistance and professional guidance, the initiative aims to increase the visibility of regional talent on a major international stage.

The selection process involves a jury comprised of representatives from Gamecity Hamburg, the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, and the Hamburg Indie Treff. This panel identifies five promising studios to receive specialized support throughout the application process for the Indie Arena Booth. Should these selected studios successfully secure a spot at the booth, they are awarded a grant of 1,500 euros specifically designated to cover stand rental costs.

This initiative reflects a broader commitment to fostering the growth of the Hamburg games industry by facilitating access to key industry events. By streamlining the application process and providing direct financial subsidies, the program ensures that smaller developers are not excluded from high-profile networking and exhibition opportunities due to budgetary constraints. The application window for the 2019 program closed on April 7, 2019, marking a strategic effort to bolster the presence of local developers within the competitive global games market.