Scandinavia gives $12 mill. to computer games--FunCom wants more

After a brisk nap · 11-11-2005, 08:33 AM

Forbruker.no (in Norwegian) reports that the Scandinavian countries have jointly agreed to invest 98 mill. SEK (12 mill. USD) in a program to support the development of computer games. They believe that this will lead to more quality products being available to youths in the Nordic countries.

The money will mostly be spent on direct support for original creative properties with potential for innovation and export, on digital distribution channels, and on localization to improve the availability of games in the Scandinavian languages.

A spokesman for FunCom comments that this is a nice initiative, but that it's not enough money to make games that can compete globally. (However, I don't think the money is supposed to completely fund any games, just support the development.)

***Jackal*** · 11-11-2005, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarky

A spokesman for FunCom comments that this is a nice initiative, but that it's not enough money to make games that can compete globally.

Heh. That's pretty funny. As a supplement, it sure is sweet.

Does the article give any indication how many studios might benefit from this?

pleto4_ryan · 11-11-2005, 09:51 AM

Quote:

the Scandinavian countries have jointly agreed to invest 98 mill. SEK (12 mill. USD) in a program to support the development of computer games.

Wow...that seems great.
Is there any catch?

After a brisk nap · 11-11-2005, 02:09 PM

Well, in theory if you depend on government support for the products you make, it gives the government power to control what kind of thing you produce. In practice, however, the Scandinavian governments are pretty liberal, and probably won't put too much pressure on the developers to make something that is vacuously wholesome. After all, Norway provided public funds to support The Longest Journey.

The only thing I would expect is that the games would have to be offered in native-language versions for each country in Scandinavia.

Junkface · 11-11-2005, 07:05 PM

It's good to see governments contributing to something worthwhile every now and then. So long as the industry doesn't become too dependent on it, like the Australian film industry where the only way to get a movie made is if you're a woman looking to seriously explore the issues that a lesbian Aboriginal single mother faces in the modern world, I see nothing but positives to it.

Darque · 11-11-2005, 10:36 PM

You can make a pretty impressive game with a 12 mil budget.

Kolzig · 11-12-2005, 12:23 AM

I wonder if Remedy will get a part of that money.

Though, they don't need any money, those Take2 shares were quite high-priced.

Igor · 11-12-2005, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darque

You can make a pretty impressive game with a 12 mil budget.

problem is, not all of it will go to one developer

pleto4_ryan · 11-12-2005, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Igor

problem is, not all of it will go to one developer

I don't think that's a problem.
Let's just hope it goes to "a lot" developers; developers that have the talent but not the means.

Kolorabi · 11-12-2005, 02:36 AM

In general, three areas will be supported:

* Development of creative projects that will create new IP's and export possibillities for the nordic countries. Innovation is also mentioned here.
* A localization system which will make it easier to provide games in the native languages of the nordic countries.
* Digital distribution which will ensure a wide range of quality games for nordic players.

As there's a bunch of developers in the nordic countries, I think each one will see a pretty small part of this money, especially as it's supposed to last until 2012. But as Funcom points out, it's a start.

I hope they don't give any of it to soon-to-be-EA-owned Digital Illusions (of Sweden).

Off-topic:
As most of you probably knows, btw, Funcom are working on a new MMORPG entitled The World Online. It's set in a very near future (so it'll almost be a present day-type game), but one where certain conspirasies (aliens, et.c) turned out to be true. There will also be some elements of magic. The game world is based on the real world, and there will be recognizable locations in the game.

11-11-2005, 08:33 AM	#1
After a brisk nap Elegantly copy+pasted Last Online: 09-02-2021 01:03 AM Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,773	Scandinavia gives $12 mill. to computer games--FunCom wants more Forbruker.no (in Norwegian) reports that the Scandinavian countries have jointly agreed to invest 98 mill. SEK (12 mill. USD) in a program to support the development of computer games. They believe that this will lead to more quality products being available to youths in the Nordic countries. The money will mostly be spent on direct support for original creative properties with potential for innovation and export, on digital distribution channels, and on localization to improve the availability of games in the Scandinavian languages. A spokesman for FunCom comments that this is a nice initiative, but that it's not enough money to make games that can compete globally. (However, I don't think the money is supposed to completely fund any games, just support the development.) __________________ Please excuse me. I've got to see a man about a dog.

11-11-2005, 02:09 PM	#4
After a brisk nap Elegantly copy+pasted Last Online: 09-02-2021 01:03 AM Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,773	Well, in theory if you depend on government support for the products you make, it gives the government power to control what kind of thing you produce. In practice, however, the Scandinavian governments are pretty liberal, and probably won't put too much pressure on the developers to make something that is vacuously wholesome. After all, Norway provided public funds to support The Longest Journey. The only thing I would expect is that the games would have to be offered in native-language versions for each country in Scandinavia. __________________ Please excuse me. I've got to see a man about a dog.

11-12-2005, 12:23 AM	#7
Kolzig The Reggienator Last Online: 06-21-2011 10:52 PM Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vaasa, Finland Posts: 5,519	I wonder if Remedy will get a part of that money. Though, they don't need any money, those Take2 shares were quite high-priced. __________________ "The old standby, that never got old in the first place. We come back to them weekly, nightly, for hours at a time--and they always deliver. They are pure, timeless, and often taken for granted." - Nick Breckon - Shacknews My gamesale list updated 26.8.2007 Hey, dear people please buy my games, I need money to conquer Europe! Or do something similar.

11-11-2005, 07:05 PM	#5
Junkface Grah! Grah! Last Online: 12-27-2007 12:35 AM Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 509	It's good to see governments contributing to something worthwhile every now and then. So long as the industry doesn't become too dependent on it, like the Australian film industry where the only way to get a movie made is if you're a woman looking to seriously explore the issues that a lesbian Aboriginal single mother faces in the modern world, I see nothing but positives to it.

11-11-2005, 10:36 PM	#6
Darque Newbie Last Online: 04-09-2006 12:17 AM Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 25	You can make a pretty impressive game with a 12 mil budget.

11-12-2005, 02:36 AM	#10
Kolorabi Senior Member Last Online: 05-19-2012 02:13 PM Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 900	In general, three areas will be supported: * Development of creative projects that will create new IP's and export possibillities for the nordic countries. Innovation is also mentioned here. * A localization system which will make it easier to provide games in the native languages of the nordic countries. * Digital distribution which will ensure a wide range of quality games for nordic players. As there's a bunch of developers in the nordic countries, I think each one will see a pretty small part of this money, especially as it's supposed to last until 2012. But as Funcom points out, it's a start. I hope they don't give any of it to soon-to-be-EA-owned Digital Illusions (of Sweden). Off-topic: As most of you probably knows, btw, Funcom are working on a new MMORPG entitled The World Online. It's set in a very near future (so it'll almost be a present day-type game), but one where certain conspirasies (aliens, et.c) turned out to be true. There will also be some elements of magic. The game world is based on the real world, and there will be recognizable locations in the game.