The Italian Interactive Digital Entertainment Association (IDEA) announced in a press release that the Italian government has agreed to set aside €4,000,000 in funds for national game studios.
Translated by Gamasutra, the statement details the First Playable Fund focused to help developers during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future. With the initial funding, studios can earn between €10,000 and €200,000 for each game prototype.
Although not as well known in the game industry compared to countries like Japan and the United States, Italy has been making steady headway over the last decade. Publishers such as 505 Games in Milan were able to secure releases such as Control by Remedy Entertainment, Payday 2 by Overkill Software, and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night from ArtPlay.
IDEA has been working with the government for some time, and sees this as just a first step in turning Italy into a major location for game developers and publishers.
Kurtis Seid, NoobFeed
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