New Zealand funding body CODE has announced over NZD $2 million in funding for 21 video game studios to support development of new projects.
As shared, a total of NZD $885,654 has been awarded to 15 studios to kickstart the creation of new ‘innovative, commercially viable game prototypes.’ An additional NZD $1.5 million has been allocated to six studios to support production work for titles already in development.
There were around 100 full applications across CODE’s KickStart and StartUp funds in this round, making for a highly competitive field. Per the organisation, it received the highest number of expressions of interest for funding since the program began, leading to significant challenges in selecting the supported studios.
‘The independent assessment panel faced a significant challenge navigating through such a large and competitive field,’ Vee Pendergrast, CODE’s Industry Development Manager says.
‘The demand for CODE support among early-stage studios in Aotearoa shows no signs of diminishing, and it bodes well for the future pipeline to see that successful KickStart grantees in this round were all new titles.’
CODE NZ announces new funding support – quick links
All the projects supported in CODE’s latest funding round
Here’s all the studios which received KickStart funding for developing new game prototypes, and their supported projects:
- Acceptable Risk Studio, Little Scrappers
- Atawhai Interactive, Gullfriends
- Ventifact Ltd, Molec
- In2Games NZ, The Viewing
- Jump Punch Kick Ltd, Card Cricket Quest
- Metia Interactive, Cube2
- Paperbush Studio Ltd, Whispers of the Atelier
- Rare Parrot Games, Radio Decay
- Rockwell Studios, Daisy Trains
- Scarecrow And Hag Ltd, Road Ready
- Still Rain, Star Catcher
- Silver Nerds, EcoSims
- Tentacular Games Ltd, Farbodies
An additional two projects are yet to be formally announced.
Here’s all the studios which received StartUp funding to continue development on their latest projects:
- Big Adventure Ltd, Dream Team Supreme
- Cass Bay Games Ltd, Davy Jones’ Deckhand
- Headplug Games, Middle Management
- Mermaid Menz Games Ltd, Bronzebeard’s Tavern 2
- Tuatara Tea Party, Cooking for MA!
- Unclear Games, The Florist
Many of the studios supported under the StartUp funding banner are heading towards late-stage development for their latest projects.
The Florist from Unclear Games is a standout, with this survival horror experience already getting major showings online, with trailers revealing the terror at the heart of its botanical disaster.
Middle Management from Headplug Games was previously showcased at PAX Aus to high praise. Cooking for MA! previously featured in the Frosty Games Fest showcase.
We look forward to seeing more from these games in future as CODE’s support allows for continued development and refinement.
The next round of CODE funding for New Zealand-based game developers will be open in early 2027. Expressions of interest are currently closed, but you can learn more and prepare for this round with the information provided by CODE online.
Also on ScreenHub: Cult New Zealand horror film Black Sheep is getting a major sequel
Distribution company Umbrella has surprise-released the first trailer for Black Sheeps, a major sequel to New Zealand director Jonathan King’s cult horror-comedy Black Sheep. First released in 2006, Black Sheep released to strong critical reviews, with many praising its sense of comedy and gross-out gore. It was also a box office success, reportedly earning around AU$7 million during its initial run. It may be this success that’s inspired work on this major sequel, which aims to expand the legacy of the original film and its devotion to sloppy creature effects, gore and silly humour.
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