Pro Helvetia promotes games and virtual reality

For the first time, the Swiss Arts Council is supporting 23 projects in the field of interactive media from concept to market launch.

For the first time, the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia is funding projects in the field of interactive media from concept to market launch. Within the framework of a new funding model, 23 projects - these include video games and virtual reality projects - will be supported with a total of CHF 400,000, the foundation announced on Thursday.

The new subsidies for interactive media have met with great interest, Pro Helvetia wrote in a statement. They had been looking for innovative projects "that build a bridge between creativity, technology and the market".

103 projects were viewed by an international jury. They were impressed by the quality and diversity of the ideas. The new funding model also includes coaching and the opportunity to perform at national and international fairs and festivals.

The funded projects are at very different stages of development: Some receive support for the design of a prototype, others receive funds for production and still others for the distribution of a finished product. Winners include, for example, adventure games, journeys through futuristic worlds or pixel art.

The funded projects in the field of AR / VR include the following three:

 Concept contribution:
- AR Flowers, David Stark (Zurich)
- Maria Guta, "iMultiply" (Neuchâtel)

Contributions to distribution or project expansion:
- Melody Mousset, "HanaHana 花華" (Zurich)

Source: Personal / Pro Helvetia