Game Design Emerging Talents: Pre-Production (Switzerland)

The Game Design Emerging Talents: Pre-Production Grant supports emerging game designers in Switzerland who are developing original digital games. The program provides up to CHF 20,000 to help create a playable prototype, with additional coaching available for selected applicants to strengthen their projects and prepare them for production and commercialization.

Game Design Emerging Talents: Pre-Production Grant for Digital Game Prototypes

Program Overview

The Game Design Emerging Talents: Pre-Production Grant provides financial support to emerging game designers developing original digital game projects. The funding is intended to help creators move from concept to a playable prototype while strengthening the creative, technical, and commercial foundations of their games.

The program encourages innovation in interactive digital media and supports projects with strong artistic, narrative, and gameplay value. In addition to funding, selected applicants may receive individualized coaching to further develop their projects.

Focus Areas

The program supports projects related to:

• Digital game development
• Playable prototype creation
• Game design innovation
• Interactive storytelling
• Computer games
• Console games
• Mobile games
• Mixed reality (MR) games
• Narrative-driven games
• Creative digital media
• Emerging game studios
• Commercial game development
• Swiss game industry development

Funding Details

Selected applicants can receive:

• Grant funding of up to CHF 20,000
• Individual coaching and mentoring (where applicable)

The funding supports the development of a playable prototype that demonstrates the game’s mechanics, design, and creative vision.

Eligible Projects

The program supports original digital games designed for:

• Computers (PC and Mac)
• Game consoles
• Mobile devices
• Mixed Reality (MR) platforms

Projects should feature:

• High levels of user interaction
• Strong gameplay mechanics
• Original creative concepts
• Meaningful narrative or aesthetic content
• Commercial development potential

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Support emerging game designers.
• Encourage innovative digital game creation.
• Help creators develop playable prototypes.
• Strengthen Switzerland’s game development ecosystem.
• Prepare projects for production and commercialization.
• Improve the quality and competitiveness of Swiss digital games.

Who is Eligible?

Applications are open to Emerging Talents in game design.

Eligible applicants include:

• Individual game designers
• Independent developers
• Small game studios
• Newly established game development companies

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Their game design education or company establishment must be less than seven years old.
• The project sponsor must own all copyright and usage rights.
• At least 50% of the project team must consist of Swiss citizens or permanent residents working in Switzerland.
• The project must demonstrate a clear connection to Switzerland.
• The project must be of nationwide importance.
• The project should receive adequate co-funding from public or private sources.
• Fair working conditions must be guaranteed.

Ineligible Projects

The following projects are not eligible:

• Commissioned work
• Advertising or promotional games
• Marketing campaign projects
• Gallery or exhibition-only projects
• Purely technological projects without narrative or artistic content
• More than one application in the same category from the same applicant

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A playable prototype
• A trailer (maximum two minutes)
• Project description (up to 20 A4 pages, including images)
• CVs of all participants
• Market analysis
• Target audience description
• Development plan
• Production plan
• Commercial distribution strategy
• Proof of Emerging Talent status (diploma or company registration)
• Detailed budget
• Financial plan
• Information on third-party funding

Language Requirements

Applications should be submitted in:

• English (preferred)

If English submission is not possible, applications may also be submitted in:

• German
• French
• Italian

Why This Grant Matters

Developing a digital game prototype requires significant creative and technical resources. This grant helps emerging developers reduce financial barriers while validating their ideas through prototype development.

The program also strengthens applicants’ commercial readiness by requiring market analysis, production planning, and distribution strategies, helping projects become attractive to publishers and investors.

How to Apply

Step 1: Develop Your Game Concept

Create an original digital game with strong gameplay and creative value.

Step 2: Build a Playable Prototype

Develop a working prototype that demonstrates the game’s core mechanics and user experience.

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents

Compile all required materials, including:

• Trailer
• Project description
• Budget
• Financial plan
• Market analysis
• Distribution strategy
• Team CVs
• Proof of eligibility

Step 4: Verify Eligibility

Ensure your project satisfies all Swiss participation, copyright, and Emerging Talent requirements.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Submit all required documents in English or another accepted language before the application deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

Increase your chances of success by:

• Demonstrating innovative gameplay.
• Creating a polished playable prototype.
• Explaining your game’s unique selling proposition (USP).
• Presenting realistic production and commercialization plans.
• Including strong market research.
• Showing how the project benefits the Swiss game development sector.
• Providing a detailed and accurate budget.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

• Submitting an incomplete prototype.
• Missing required documentation.
• Weak market analysis.
• Unrealistic financial planning.
• Poor commercialization strategy.
• Applying with promotional or commissioned projects.
• Failing to demonstrate Swiss eligibility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Game Design Emerging Talents Grant?

Emerging game designers or companies whose game design education or business establishment dates back less than seven years.

How much funding is available?

Successful applicants can receive up to CHF 20,000, with additional coaching available for selected projects.

What types of games are eligible?

Digital games for computers, consoles, mobile devices, and mixed reality platforms with significant interactive content.

Is a playable prototype mandatory?

Yes. A playable prototype is a required part of the application.

Can teams apply?

Yes. Teams may apply, provided they meet the eligibility requirements, including Swiss participation criteria.

What languages are accepted for applications?

English is preferred. Applications may also be submitted in German, French, or Italian if English is not possible.

What projects are not eligible?

Advertising projects, commissioned work, exhibition-only projects, purely technological projects without artistic or narrative content, and multiple submissions in the same category from the same applicant are not eligible.

Conclusion

The Game Design Emerging Talents: Pre-Production Grant is an excellent opportunity for emerging Swiss game designers to transform innovative ideas into playable prototypes. By combining financial support of up to CHF 20,000, expert coaching, and a focus on creative excellence and commercial readiness, the program helps developers build competitive digital games with strong artistic, technical, and market potential.