Prototype Funding 2024: Hamburg

Gamecity Hamburg has opened the application window for its 2024 prototype funding program, which runs from March 7 to April 8. The initiative aims to support the local games industry by providing a total of 400,000 euros in financial assistance. Individual project teams are eligible to receive up to 80,000 euros to aid in the development of their prototypes.

The program is open to developers, developer associations, and small to medium-sized enterprises that are either based in Hamburg or are in the process of establishing a business presence within the city. A mandatory consultation with Gamecity Hamburg is required at least two weeks prior to the submission deadline to ensure applicants are properly prepared for the evaluation process. An expert committee from the games industry will review all submissions to determine which projects receive funding.

A significant update for the 2024 cycle is the introduction of a mandatory diversity checklist. All applicants must complete this form to reflect on the diversity within their teams and projects. While the committee may use these responses to award a bonus to projects that enrich the diversity of the local games sector, the checklist is designed to be inclusive; failure to meet specific diversity criteria does not result in any disadvantage during the evaluation process. This shift underscores a strategic effort to foster a more representative and varied gaming landscape in Hamburg.