Digital Game Development Grant
The Digital Game Development Grant supports eligible Saskatchewan applicants in the production of innovative and original digital games and eLearning properties with commercial intent.
Eligible projects include apps for smart phones and tablets, console or PC games, and augmented or virtual reality experiences.
Offered by Creative Saskatchewan
Amount
A maximum of $50,000 or 50% of the application's total cash budget per fiscal year, whichever is the lesser; projects capped at a maximum of $100,000 or 50% of the total cash budget for the entire life of the project, whichever is the lesser
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
All projects developed and designed with support from this grant must be made available for sale.
Eligible projects include apps for smart phones and tablets, console or PC games, and augmented or virtual reality experiences.
Projects focused on education or training are welcome, as long as the experience includes game mechanics that add interactivity, engagement, and motivate the user in learning.
Please note that if ineligible expenses (outlined in the Guidelines above) exceed 50% of the project budget, the application will be deemed ineligible.
Activities that receive funding from SK Arts or SaskCulture are not eligible for support through Creative Saskatchewan investment programs.
- Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria defined in the General Guidelines.
- Applicants may be an individual or a corporation – see the General Guidelines for definitions.
- Applicants must be the owner or co-owner of the project, control copyright, and receive a share of revenue from sales of the project.
- Applications must demonstrate a minimum 51% Saskatchewan ownership.
- Applicants may apply at any stage of development.
- eLearning projects must include gamification (game mechanics that add interactivity, engagement, and motivate the user in learning).
- Products must demonstrate a meaningful interaction between the user and the digital product. Interaction is defined as follows: a method of communication in which the digital product’s outputs depend on the user’s inputs, and the user’s inputs in turn. There must be a meaningful participatory experience for the user.
- The core product must be intended to entertain or educate the user.
- Applicants may only receive funding one time for each stage of development for the same project.
About the funding
80% of your grant is paid when the application is approved. The remaining 20% of your grant is paid after the project is complete and your final report has been approved.
- Applicants may receive funding once for each stage of development for the project.
- Funding will be in the form of a grant.
- Creative Saskatchewan offers two streams of funding depending of the stage of the project – Pre-production and Production.
Show all funding details
- Pre-Production Stream:
- Supports early-stage activities that take place prior to production and assist the applicant company in preparing to enter full production of a commercial digital game. Activities include:
- A pre-release playable version of the game (prototypes, demos, MVP (minimum viable product), vertical slice);
- Pre-production documents; and
- Pitch material, business and marketing plans.
- Production Stream:
- Supports the creation of a complete digital game that will be made publicly available for commercial sale. Deliverables must include a complete, market-ready digital game made available for purchase.
- Applicants, including both single purpose companies and parent companies, may apply for a maximum of $50,000 or 50% of the application’s total cash budget per fiscal year, whichever is the lesser.
- Applicants may submit applications on behalf of multiple projects, but may only receive up to $50,000 per fiscal year.
- Projects are capped at a maximum of $100,000 or 50% of the total cash budget for the entire life of the project, whichever is the lesser.
- Creative Saskatchewan will not release funds prior to the applicant demonstrating that the project is fully financed.
This program supports expenses related to creating digital games and eLearning properties with commercial intent.
- Eligible development expenses occurring up to 12 months before the application date can be included in the application. Applicants must provide:
- A detailed timeline of activity to date within the 12-month eligibility period prior to application submission;
- A breakdown of hours, expenses, and wages; and
- Proof of payment for expenses incurred within the eligible 12-month window. This should include either industry standard invoices (billing address, details of services, and amount) along with Proof of Payment (POP) OR A Supplier Declaration form completed by the service provider. Supplier Declaration Forms must be completed for in-house expenses over $500.
- Supplier Declaration Forms must be completed using the Creative Saskatchewan template located in the Templates & Additional Materials tab on the Grant Management System.
- Note that you still may be required to provide further proof of payment if your grant file is selected for an audit. These are to be numbered and collate with the column in the Budget Template form. Accepted forms of Proof of Payment include receipts, cancelled cheques, bank drafts, debit/credit card receipts, EPT receipts, bank statements, etc. Please note that invoices do not qualify as proof of payment.
- Marketing expenses directly related to the project being applied for, no more than 10% of the total project budget.
- Please note that Creative Saskatchewan has a dedicated Marketing Grant for more robust marketing campaigns.
Technology infrastructure (hardware and software).
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feature Film & Television Production Grant | Grant | Up to 30% of all eligible Saskatchewan expenditures (Saskatchewan Stream) or 25% of all eligible Saskatchewan expenditures up to a maximum of $5,000,000 (Service Production Stream) | Open |
| Film & Television Development Grant | Grant | Up to $5,000 or 50% of the total development cash budget, whichever is the lesser (Pre-Development) | Open |
| Made in Saskatchewan Technology Program (MIST) | Grant | Up to $30,000 per startup (lifetime maximum of $30,000 to support pilot projects) | Open |
| Product Development Program | Grant | Up to $20,000 | Open |
