The Tasmanian Game Development Incubator will provide materials, support, and advice to help you build and release a video games in Tasmania.
Here''s what our newly reimagined Round 3 and beyond look like:
📚 A library of written and video content on topics ranging from starting a small business for game development, to project management for games, to pitching games, to programming with specific tools for games (e.g. Yarn Spinner, Godot, and more).
📆 At least three 1 hour mentoring sessions, where you'll have access to us, and our colleagues, to talk about your projects, business aspirations, and plans, and get feedback.
🎮 Industry sessions, including online presentations from worldwide industry figures, and connections around the world.
💰 Assistance writing applications for funding and grants from, for example, Screen Tasmania and more.
It's a simpler approach than our previous rounds, but this will allow us to serve more people, as there has been a lot of interest. 😎
We’ll also offer community-building networking sessions, support sessions, mentoring, showcase and pitching opportunities, and community support and engagement.
This is not a funding or investment opportunity and participants will retain full ownership of their work.
Round 1 and elements of Round 2 of this project is supported by the Tasmanian Government through the Department for State Growth. Elements of Round 2 and Round 3 onwards are fully funded by Secret Lab Pty. Ltd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use Yarn Spinner or a specific game engine?
No! Absolutely not. If your game has any narrative elements, you’re eligible to apply for the incubator. However, some of the program’s seminar content will be more relevant if you are using Yarn Spinner and/or Unity/Unreal Engine.
Do I have to live in Tasmania?
Yes, the purpose of the program is to support the Tasmanian game development industry. The majority of the team must live in Tasmania. If you are a solo game developer, you must live in Tasmania.
What sort of applicants are you looking for? Can you provide some examples?
You might be an existing game maker, or you might have never made a game, and are looking to apply your skills (whether they’re in programming, art, music, writing, design, or something else) to learn.
You might be a solo developer or artist, who is looking for a team. You might be a solo developer who intends to build a game by themselves. You might have already formed a team with the intent to build a game. We are not looking for people operating in their capacity as employees of non-Tasmanian game studios.
You might have an initial idea for a game. You might have a game that’s already in production. You might have a nearly-finished game that needs some polish and marketing treatment. We are not looking for completed game projects.
What are the intended outcomes of this program?
We want to support you to commercially, formally release a game on a major platform (e.g. Steam, Itch, iOS, consoles).
We want to give each team the confidence and skills to create a business around their game/game making efforts, expanding the number of game studios, and the size of the game development industry in Tasmania.
Do I sign away any rights to Secret Lab, Yarn Spinner, or the Tasmanian Government if I join this program?
No, none at all. We just want to provide mentorship, resources, and motivation, not take any ownership or control of your project.
Where are you located? Can I attend the seminars and mentorship meetings online?
It is likely that we’ll have occasional in-person seminars in Hobart and/or Launceston. These will be recorded and/or live-streamed for those elsewhere. Otherwise all material will be online. Mentorship sessions will take place in-person or line, to suit each team’s preference.
Who will my information be shared with if express interest, apply, or participate in the programme?
We’ll dispose of all application materials after we accept teams/individuals into a round of the programme. We’ll only keep materials related to accepted participants, and materials will only be used for mutually agreed reasons (i.e. sharing your work on social media, or with funding partners like the Department of State Growth).