Film Victoria Approves Funding For Eight New Projects

While the federal government may not see the boons of funding Australia’s video game sector, thankfully state-level bodies such as Film Victoria see a future where video games are a key cog of Australia’s arts and entertainment output, happily helping fund projects where they can. Yesterday, Film Victoria confirmed financial support for eight new projects from Victorian creatives. The report states the following:

Film Victoria has been investing in digital games development in Victoria for over 25 years and through this support, the sector has grown significantly. Between 2014 and 2019, the Victorian digital games workforce grew by 45% and the state’s strong games ecosystem has seen the development of globally successful games such as Crossy Road, Florence and Film Victoria-supported titles Untitled Goose Game, The Gardens Between and Flight Control.

Titbits of the approved projects can be found below:

• Lucen is an atmospheric action-adventure game for PC from Kristian Kebbe, who has a background in VFX and animation. She will use the funding to bring on additional animation artists and sound designers. Check out the trailer below:
  
• Miska is a narrative-driven, problem-solving game for PC, where the player visits a Victorian National Park from their childhood, only to find it abandoned and overgrown. To climb to the mountain’s peak, they need to clean up the environment around them, learning about the flora and fauna as they go including their Indigenous names.
• Logical Lawns (working title) – by Ian MacLarty, a meditative, multi-layer logic-jigsaw puzzle game for mobile, Mac and PC about landscaping the gardens of a lavish estate whose owner has very particular tastes.

• Sounds & Secrets (working title) – by sound engineer Allison Walker, who was inspired by the changes in the soundscape as she walked home from work to create a game for Mac and PC about finding surreal sonic landscapes. Allison will explore her idea of the game being played entirely through sound, which would make it accessible for visually impaired players.

• Spiritwell – by David Chen, a role-playing adventure game for PC with hand-drawn pixel art and a storyline about a lost child who falls down a well into a world of spirits and must find their way home.

• A yet-to-be-named project by Olivia Haines for Mac and PC, with a strong feminine aesthetic and a beautiful, wistful story about a woman who returns to her hometown to examine an old relationship.

• The Stranger Next Door – by games researcher Fae Daunt, a horror narrative game for mobile that plays out in real-time through a fake social media interface.

• A yet-to-be-named sequel to Roombo: First Blood – by Samurai Punk, an action/comedy game for PC and consoles about a robot vacuum cleaner, set on a cruise ship.

“Melbourne’s games industry has really stepped up in a big way and players around the world are already waiting to see what our studios create next. This new investment will lead to confident and engaging projects that are poised for commercial, cultural and critical success,” said Film Victoria CEO Caroline Pitcher.

We certainly agree with that sentiment and we can’t wait to see the evolution of these projects as it happens right here in our backyard. If you’re a Vic-based creative and wish to submit a funding application you can do so until Monday, September 28, when the next round of funding will close. Click here to apply.