https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2023/02-07-1-million-for-11-digital-games
Games Getting Funded!
Screen Australia has announced 11 games that will each receive a part of 1.5 million dollars in funding through what is called the Games: Expansion Pack fund. The fund is targeted at emerging or small to medium independent game studios with budgets below $500 000.
CEO of Screen Australia Graeme Mason said, “There are huge opportunities for growth in the local games sector. The Government’s $12 million investment to support digital games developers and small and medium independent games studios will enable Screen Australia to support more Australian developers to create original games, build sustainable businesses and attract local and global audiences.”
The Games: Expansion Pack is open for applications on an ongoing basis until 4 May 2023.
https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/news/update-01-31-2023
The Sims 4 News
In the latest Sims 4 update Maxis has added a variety of customization options in create-a-sim, with medical wearables and trans-inclusive cosmetics. The update (1.95.207.1030 on PC and version 1.69 (nice) on console) includes hearing aids, glucose monitors, top surgery scars and binders and shape-wear.
Oh and they added a light switch too.
Nintendo is decent.
Nintendo has announced a 10 percent pay rise for its game developers, in spite of their reported 20 percent drop in switch sales, stating that securing their workforce is important to their long-term growth.
This is in line with Nintendo’s history of being actually pretty decent to their employees (barring crunch but that’s a different kettle of fish) such as in 2011 when faced with the poor sales of the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata took a 50 percent pay cut.
I suppose in the wake of all the layoffs in the gaming industry (last month Microsoft announced 10 000 job cuts) it’s nice to see a company taking care of the people who actually make the games they sell.
Releases!
February 9
Monster Outbreak – Switch
February 10
Go! Go! PogoGirl – PC, Playstation, Xbox and Switch
February 14
Blanc – PC and Switch
Journey to the Savage Planet: Employee of the Month Edition – PS5 & Xbox Series X
Outzone – PC
Ten Dates – PC, Playstation, Xbox and Switch
Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol.1 – PC
Truxton – PC
Twin Cobra – PC
Wanted: Dead PC, Playstation and Xbox
Zero Wing – PC
February 15
Pharaoh: A New Era – PC
Returnal -PC
And that’s all this week in gaming news!
