Dated: 8 December 2006
Have a game concept that can be pushed through mobile phones? Independent mobile game developers or game and animation studios thinking about entering the mobile space can now tap onto the Media Development Authority of Singapore’s (MDA) INVIGORATE initiative for support.
A new initiative, INVIGORATE supports the growth of the mobile game development sector through a two-pronged approach;funding and mentorship. Each selected Singapore-based team will be eligible for up to $25,000 mobile game prototype development funding and be mentored by local or global game studios and publishers in a masterclass environment. The masterclass will cover core business, design and production management aspects of mobile game development and also provide a workshop environment for mentors to assist teams in enhancing their concept designs towards global deployment standards. MDA will support up to 10 teams based on the merit of their concepts.
Commenting on this new scheme, Mr Seto Lok Yin, Director of Industry Development, MDA said: “We believe there are talented teams based in Singapore who may not be able to produce their concepts due to the lack of funding avenues or proper mentorship. Through INVIGORATE, we hope to encourage these teams to enter the arena of mobile game development and showcase their creative and production talents and in turn, expand the talent pool of our game development industry. At the same time, we are also looking out for breakthrough concepts with the potential for commercialisation in the global marketplace.”
Activate Interactive, a leading local game developer with products distributed globally through 40 partners and clients is one of the local game studios which readily agreed to take up the role of a mentor in this new scheme. Mr Leslie Wou, Chief Executive Officer of Activate Interactive said: “Given the high penetration rate of mobile phones, the mobile games sector certainly has great potential for growth. The INVIGORATE scheme is a great platform for the exploration of new concepts for mobile games and we are excited to find out what new ideas the teams can bring to the table.”
Another local game studio that will be providing the mentorship is Mikoishi, the first Singapore game developer to showcase its games at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. Ms Amy Chang, Director of Mikoishi said: “It is great to see continuing support from MDA. Initiatives like these are exactly what are required to continue to build upon Singapore’s burgeoning interactive entertainment industry. It is also encouraging to know that apart from console games, mobile game production is receiving increasing recognition as well. We believe that it is a niche market that Singapore can tap on and grow its capabilities to produce global content for the mobile content marketplace.""
Local studios and teams interested in participating in the initiative can start applying from 9 December 2006 to 9 February 2007. Applicants must submit their proposals by post to MDA. Submission details and selection criteria for the initiative can be found on the MDA website, www.mda.gov.sg.
For media enqueries, please contact:
Ms Jasmine Wong
Assistant Manager
Communications
Tel: 6837 9364
Email: Jasmine_Wong@imda.gov.sg
Ms Phoebe Seow
Assistant Director
Communications
Tel: 6837 9369
Email: Phoebe_Seow@imda.gov.sg
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