Baltic
Documents
Recommendations for Implementation of Virtual Reality Applications in Other Industries
Implementation of Virtual Reality Applications in Other Industries The VR Best Practice Catalogue plays a key role in opening up new business areas for game developers in the BSR. The stabilisation of existing and opening of new markets will enable the BSR to be a high potential actor in the rapidly growing VR sector and to develop into an international game industry hotspot.
- The goal of a VR application dictates design choices like game engine, target device, mechanics, and user interface, with therapeutic applications requiring careful consideration to avoid increasing muscular tension or using ergonomically poor hardware.
- Input devices for VR applications, especially in professional training or therapy, need careful selection; standard XR controllers are unsuitable for fine motor actions, making haptic gloves a viable but more expensive and technically complex alternative.
- When selecting an XR headset, key features to consider include Field of View (FOV) for immersion, tracking method (Outside-In for precision but higher room requirements, Inside-Out for flexibility and lower cost but less computing power), and eye-tracking for research and training.
- Data privacy and protection are critical for VR applications, particularly in medical contexts; issues like mandatory Facebook accounts for Oculus headsets and uncontrolled data traffic to manufacturers can be mitigated by using offline systems or selecting headsets without such requirements.
- For medical and research VR applications, data output must be precise and exportable to common office programs like Excel, requiring early planning and agreement between developers and experts on data format and recording, as seen in the ALCAVOID application.
The Game Incubation Landscape in Europe: Appraisal of the BSR in the European Context
The Game Incubation Landscape in Europe Appraisal of the Game Incubation Landscape of the BSR in the European Context Pedro Santoro Zambon has been commissioned by BGZ Berliner Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit mbH in the context of the BGI project to appraise different incubation approaches in Europe to provide a comparative view for the BGI incubation pilot results.
- The Baltic Sea Region (BSR) has 24 game-focused incubators and accelerators, with half located in Sweden (6) and Finland (6). Nearly 40% (9) of these programs were established in the last three years, indicating a recent trend.
- Most BSR incubation programs prioritize supporting regional ecosystem development and university students/alumni.
- Governments are crucial for fostering an environment where incubator capacity-building initiatives can thrive, by adopting laws and regulations that promote research, development, and entrepreneurship.
- Game incubation programs focused on investment prospecting tend to favor game studios with scalable business models (e.g., freemium, microtransactions) over premium PC/console games, as early-stage investors seek multiplied returns.
- Examples like Dutch Game Garden and GameBCN demonstrate structured incubation phases, from intake to 'achiever' status, and the use of partnerships with educational institutions to provide skills and support to incubated teams.
Model Scheme and Manual for Game Incubation Programming and Financing: Baltic Games Industry
VENTSPILS HIGH TECHNOLOGY PARK ERHVERVSAKADEMI DANIA TECHNOLOGY PARK This model scheme illustrates “how to run” an incubation programme for game development companies, drafted in form of a manual for business support providers and intermediaries working with Dania University of Applied Sciences Kaunas Science and Technology Park Ventspils High Technology Park für internationale Zusammenarbeit mbH Title page: © iStock.com-bedya, 1.
- Most game incubators in Europe, especially those for game creators, are primarily funded by public sources, with private initiatives being a minority.
- Establishing a sustainable game incubator often takes over 5 years to break even, with only 40.8% of business incubators aiming to break even as part of their business plan.
- Game incubation programs can be structured in various ways, including long-term incubation (1 year+ for medium-maturity startups) and short-term acceleration (3-4 months for high-maturity startups, often involving equity exchange for funding).
- Effective communication strategies for recruiting incubator participants include leveraging social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and partnering with industry job portals like Skillshot.pl.
- The Ventspils High Technology Park GameDev Incubator, operating since 2018, offers free support tools like co-working spaces, coaching, workshops, and grants, focusing on PC, mobile, VR/AR platforms, and collaborates with Ventspils Digital Centre and University of Applied Sciences.
Guideline for Set-Up and Maintenance of a Mentoring System for Game Business Incubation
The guideline provides hands-on support regarding the whole process of set-up and maintenance of a mentor system (search for mentors, get in contact, motivate them to get engaged, integrate them in the programme, monitor their work and give feedback, promote their engagement, keep them on board, support further Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Swedish Games Industry (Association of Swedish Game Developers) – Dataspelsbranschen Ventspils High Technology Park für internationale Zusammenar...
- The game industry is highly competitive and unique, with revenues exceeding three times that of the movie industry, requiring specialized incubation support distinct from generic tech incubators.
- Effective game incubation systems need to tailor their offerings based on the local startup ecosystem, considering factors like founders' experience (e.g., fresh graduates vs. industry veterans) and community focus (e.g., hobby developers needing business skills).
- Mentoring in game incubation involves a continuous, supportive relationship with experienced industry professionals, ideally based on a flexible long-term development plan, and requires mentors with strong communication, listening, and industry understanding.
- Incubators like VHTP GameDev Incubator operate both on-site and remotely, leveraging external experts and national support networks (e.g., Latvian Game Developers Association) to provide services like free co-working spaces, legal/accounting advice, and conference opportunities.
- Feedback collection through surveys, interviews, and discussions is crucial for iterating and restructuring incubator offerings, as demonstrated by Farm League's shift to the Living Game Intelligence Network (LGIN).
Manual on International Cooperation for BSR-Wide Game Business Development
The manual summarises all the findings, lessons learnt and conclusions from the work on internationalisation, ideas for cooperation and recommendations to the different actors in game business. für internationale Zusammenarbeit mbH Hamburg Institute of International Economics für internationale Zusammenarbeit mbH Title page: © iStock.com-bedya, EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .4 1.
- The global game market is rapidly growing, with China leading in consumer spending, followed by the US and Japan. European countries, with smaller home markets, must focus on global markets, necessitating internationalization in game incubation.
- International cooperation is crucial for game incubators to stay updated on trends, tools, and opportunities, requiring resources like travel to events and partners, supported by sustainable business models or public funding.
- The Game Camps project (2017-2020), funded by Interreg Central Baltic, fostered cross-border startups by bringing together over 250 game enthusiasts from Finland, Sweden, Estonia, and Latvia, resulting in four new startups and support for over 15 existing ones.
- Establishing a common brand like 'Baltic Sea Games' for the BSR game industry involves questions about who creates and promotes it, their motivations, and target groups. The brand has a logo and social media presence, but its WordPress website is currently an initial landing page.
- Collaborative ecosystem activities, such as strengthening the incubation ecosystem, sharing expertise on specialized topics, and creating international environments for startups, are identified as key areas where transnational efforts can significantly boost quality and impact.