070420: 23 million

Year two of the Nordic Game Program is in full swing. A total of DKK 5 million will be allocated to development projects by Nordic companies this year. The deadline for the first round of applications in 2007 has just passed. At more than DKK 23 million, the total bears ample witness to the demand that exists.

The Nordic Game Program, part of the cultural co-operation funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, has earmarked DKK 5 million for development funding in 2007. The money is being spread over two rounds of DKK 2.5 million each. A total of 47 applications were received from 39 different Nordic companies.

"The number of applicants comes as no real surprise to me," said Erik Robertson, Director of the Nordic Game Program.

"Plenty of applications were received last year too. On the other hand it is pleasing to note that the vast majority now seem to come from companies devoted solely to electronic games, companies that are already established or are in the process of getting there. This is clearly an industry making rapid progress," he added. 


A group of experts will now evaluate the projects before allocating the DKK 2.5 million. It has not yet been decided exactly how many companies will share the money but five projects received grants in 2006. The first recipients will be introduced to the Nordic Game 2007 conference in Malmö, 15-16 May (www.nordicgame.com).

The six-year Nordic Game Program was launched last year. The aim is to make Nordic electronic games more readily available to Nordic consumers, and the funding scheme is an important part of that process. The deadline for the second round in 2007 is scheduled for 15 October. (www.nordicgameprogram.org).