Video Games & Immersive Content Development 2025 (EN)

Call no.: CREA-MEDIA-2025-DEVVGIM
Total budget: 7.000.000 euros
Open for applications: 1 October 2024
Deadline: 12 February 2025, 17.00 (CET)
The full subsidy call can be found on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
Or go directly to the official ⍈ Call document.

The aim of this call is to increase the capacity of European video game producers, XR studios and audiovisual production companies to develop video games and interactive experiences for a global audience. The support aims to improve the competitiveness of the European video game industry while preserving intellectual property of European developers.

N.B. the following is a summary of the call, no rights can be derived from it. Please consult the official ⍈ call document for a detailed description of the scheme.

What's new?

Compared to the 2024 edition of this call, there is 1 change:

• As in previous calls, the production phase is not eligible for funding. The development phase with eligible costs runs until delivery of a first prototype.

Which kinds of projects are supported?

The call is open to original and innovative video games intended for commercial exploitation, regardless of platform or distribution method. It is important that the game has a narrative storytelling component, and that it is in-game storytelling. So the story should be incorporated throughout the game, not just as an introduction or ending.

Who is eligible?

• European video game production companies, XR studios or audiovisual production companies from one of the participating countries of the MEDIA sub-programme with a proven track record. In the case of a consortium application, only the coordinator needs to demonstrate a track record.
   
• A production house is European if the majority of its shares are European-owned and the production house is also based in Europe;
   
• A European video game production company, XR studio or audiovisual production company is a company whose main purpose and activity is production/development of video games, (entertainment) software development or audiovisual production (or equivalent) as indicated in the Chamber of Commerce. Publishers are not eligible for this call;
   
• Proven track record: the coordinator must have previously produced a video game or immersive experience commercially distributed (in the period 01/01/2022 to the date of submission). The applicant must upload the requested information on the previous work in a special section of the application so that it is findable in the MEDIA Database. Personal credits and/or subcontracting for the development or production of a previous work will not be accepted as a proven track record neither will an early access game.
   
• To prove commercial distribution of the earlier work, the applicant must be able to provide a relevant sales report showing sales in the period 01/01/2022 and the submission deadline.
   
• The applicant must own the majority of the rights of the submitted project. In case of a consortium application, 1 of the partners must own the majority of the rights.

How much can I apply for?

The total available budget for the call is €7,000,000. Projects can be supported up to a maximum of EUR 200,000, as long as the grant contribution does not exceed 60% of the total eligible costs.

The maximum duration of the project (development phase for which MEDIA support can be requested) is 36 months. This can be extended by a maximum of 6 months with exceptions (thus a maximum of 42 months).

What requirements must my project/application meet?

Only costs that occur in the development phase (concept development / pre-production) are eligible.

The development phase consists of all activities a game developer undertakes to arrive at a first playable version (trial version, Alpha version or Beta version), prior to the testing & debugging phase. The production phase consists of all activities - starting with testing & debugging - that bring the first playable prototype to the production of the final Gold Master.

The latter costs during the production phase do not qualify. So the costs for the development phase do.

The start of the production phase may not start until 10 months after the day of submission at the earliest. The production phase starts as soon as the first playable prototype or the first prototype is available (whichever occurs first).

What are the award criteria?

Project proposals submitted will be assessed by experts using evaluation criteria. A total of 100 points can be awarded. The quality threshold is 70 out of 100 points.
 

1. Relevance (35 points)

• Originality and creativity of the concept compared to existing works, including the originality of the story (10 points).
• Degree of innovation. For example, the project uses new techniques, content, platforms, gameplay, degree of immersion or cinematic visuals (15 points).
• Strategies for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly industry (5 points).
• Strategies for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly industry (5 points).
   

2. Quality of content and activities (25 points)

• Quality of storytelling, visual approach, graphics, audio design, accessibility for people with disabilities
• For non-immersive video games:
  • quality of originality of gameplay
  • integration between gameplay and storytelling
  • quality of design of character and level.
• For interactive video games and experiences:
  • Quality of immersive experience
  • The level and quality of interactivity
     

3. Project management (20 points)

• The degree of completeness of a development strategy (10 points).
• The degree of completeness of the financial strategy and feasibility of the project (10 points).
   

4. Dissemination (20 points)

• The potential for dissemination and distribution of the project at European and international level (10 points).
• The marketing strategy that ensures that audiences are reached at an early stage (10 points).

Timeline

Deadline for applications	12 February 2025 – 17:00 CET
Evalution period	February - June 2025
Applicants informed about results	July 2025
Signing the grant agreement	November 2025
Start date of the action	upon signing of the contract
Duration of the activity	36 months

NB: The start date and duration of the project are set in the Grant Agreement. Normally, a project starts after signing the contract. A retroactive application may be honoured in exceptional circumstances, but never before the date of application.

NB: Grants are not paid retroactively to projects that have already been completed. Eligible projects are annual activities on specific dates.

How can I submit an application?

Click here for the entire call Video Games & Immersive Content over on the European Commission's Funding & Tending Portal (FTOP). Click here for tips (in Dutch) regarding applying to Creative Europe funding overall. And/or feel free to reach out to our MEDIA advisors at MEDIA@creativeeuropedesk.nl.

Online info session

The European Executive Agency in Brussels (EACEA) organises online info sessions to further elaborate on the new financing schemes and the application process.

The info session about this call has taken place on Wednesday November 6. You can watch it, as well as attend online info sessions about other MEDIA calls, right here.

Would you like to apply for this call or require more information, feel free to contact the Creative Europe Desk NL/MEDIA via MEDIA@creativeeuropedesk.nl.