She Got Game – Game Design Emerging Talents Programme (Switzerland)

The She Got Game Programme is a Swiss mentoring initiative that supports emerging women game designers through expert coaching, professional development, and CHF 3,000 in financial support. The programme promotes gender equality in the game industry by helping participants strengthen their leadership skills, develop innovative game projects, and expand their international professional networks.

She Got Game Programme for Emerging Women Game Designers in Switzerland

What is the She Got Game Programme?

The She Got Game Programme is a mentoring and professional development initiative designed to increase the representation of women in the Swiss and international game industry.

The programme provides emerging women game designers with expert mentorship, business training, networking opportunities, and financial support to help them develop interactive digital games, strengthen leadership skills, and advance their careers in the gaming sector.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Promote equal opportunities for women in the game industry.
• Support the professional growth of emerging women game designers.
• Increase women’s participation in leadership and management roles.
• Encourage the development of innovative digital games.
• Strengthen international collaboration and networking.
• Improve business, marketing, and pitching skills.
• Enhance the global visibility of Swiss women game developers.

Priority Areas

The programme supports creative and innovative interactive digital game projects.

Interactive Digital Game Development

Eligible projects may include games developed for:

• Computers (PC)
• Gaming consoles
• Mobile devices
• Mixed reality (MR) platforms
• Other interactive digital gaming systems

Innovation and Creativity

Projects should demonstrate:

• Original concepts
• Innovative gameplay
• Strong artistic vision
• Creative storytelling

Career Development

The programme encourages applicants to present:

• Clear professional goals
• Leadership aspirations
• Long-term career development plans
• International growth ambitions

Market Potential

Projects should demonstrate:

• Commercial feasibility
• Market relevance
• Clearly identified target audiences
• Scalability within the gaming industry

Programme Benefits

Selected participants receive comprehensive professional development support.

Financial Contribution

Participants receive:

• CHF 3,000 to support prototype or demo development.

Individual Mentoring

Participants benefit from one-on-one coaching provided by experienced international game industry experts.

Professional Development

The programme includes expert sessions on:

• Project development
• Business strategy
• Financial planning
• Marketing
• Public relations (PR)
• Pitch preparation

Networking Opportunities

Participants gain access to:

• A growing community of women game developers
• International industry experts
• Publishers and investors
• Professional networking opportunities

International Exposure

Selected participants may also receive opportunities to attend:

• International trade fairs
• Industry events
• Professional networking activities

Childcare Support

Where applicable, participants attending international events may receive:

• Financial assistance for childcare expenses.

Who is Eligible?

The programme is open to professional game designers in Switzerland who identify as women.

Applicants must:

• Be emerging professionals.
• Have completed relevant training within the last seven years, or
• Have established independent professional practice, self-employment, or a company within the last seven years.

Project Eligibility Requirements

Eligible projects must:

• Demonstrate a clear connection to Switzerland.
• Have nationwide relevance.
• Be co-financed through public or private funding sources where applicable.
• Ensure fair working conditions.
• Include meaningful player interaction.
• Demonstrate artistic or narrative value.
• Retain intellectual property rights with the project leaders.

Ineligible Projects

The programme does not support:

• Commissioned projects
• Advertising-related work
• Purely technological projects without significant narrative or artistic content

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

• Short CV
• Educational background
• Nationality
• Residency status in Switzerland
• Project description
• Gameplay overview
• Genre
• Platform information
• Development stage
• Target audience
• Supporting visual materials
• Project portfolio
• Statement explaining expected outcomes from programme participation

Applications should be submitted in:

• English (preferred)

Alternatively, applications may be submitted in:

• German
• French
• Italian

Why This Programme Matters

Women remain underrepresented in many areas of the global gaming industry, particularly in leadership and decision-making roles.

The She Got Game Programme helps address this imbalance by:

• Promoting gender equality in game development.
• Supporting emerging women professionals.
• Building leadership capacity.
• Increasing international visibility.
• Expanding access to publishers, investors, and industry experts.
• Strengthening Switzerland’s creative game development ecosystem.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure that you:

• Identify as a woman.
• Meet the emerging talent criteria.
• Have a professional connection to Switzerland.

Step 2: Prepare Your Project

Develop:

• A clear game concept
• Gameplay description
• Visual materials
• Project portfolio

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents

Gather:

• CV
• Education details
• Residency information
• Participation goals

Step 4: Describe Your Career Objectives

Explain:

• Your professional ambitions
• Expected programme outcomes
• Leadership goals
• International development plans

Step 5: Submit Your Application

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

Tips for a Strong Application

To strengthen your application:

• Demonstrate originality and innovation.
• Clearly explain your career goals.
• Present a strong artistic vision.
• Highlight your project’s market potential.
• Include high-quality visual materials.
• Explain how mentoring will support your professional growth.
• Showcase your commitment to the Swiss game industry.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Submitting incomplete application materials.
• Providing vague project descriptions.
• Omitting visual materials or portfolio items.
• Failing to explain expected programme outcomes.
• Applying with commissioned or advertising-based projects.
• Ignoring career development objectives.
• Submitting applications in unsupported formats or languages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the She Got Game Programme?

It is a mentoring initiative that supports emerging women game designers in Switzerland through expert coaching, professional development, networking, and financial support.

2. How much funding is available?

Selected participants receive CHF 3,000 to support prototype or demo development.

3. Who can apply?

Professional game designers in Switzerland who identify as women and whose relevant training or independent professional registration is less than seven years old.

4. What types of projects are eligible?

Innovative interactive digital games for computers, consoles, mobile devices, mixed reality platforms, and similar gaming systems.

5. What additional support does the programme provide?

Participants receive mentoring, business strategy guidance, finance and marketing training, pitch coaching, networking opportunities, access to international trade fairs, and childcare support where applicable.

6. Do applicants retain ownership of their projects?

Yes. Intellectual property rights remain with the project leaders.

7. Which projects are not eligible?

Commissioned work, advertising-related projects, and purely technological projects without clear narrative or artistic content are not eligible.

Conclusion

The She Got Game Programme provides emerging women game designers in Switzerland with valuable mentorship, CHF 3,000 in financial support, and access to international industry networks to accelerate their professional growth. By promoting innovation, leadership, and equal opportunities in game development, the programme helps participants build successful careers while contributing to a more diverse and inclusive global gaming industry.