The Malta Digital Games fund was launched this afternoon to help registered companies develop digital games.
The fund was launched by Culture Minister Mario de Marco and Finance Minister Tonio Fenech at St James' Centre for Creativity.
Through it, registered companies in the media, entertainment, IT or audiovisual sectors can apply to develop a game and, if chosen, be given a grant of between €15,000 and €50,000 to finance up to 75 per cent of the expense.
The funds have to be used on human resources and not on equipment and applications will be considered on four criteria, namely innovation, talent and experience, financial strategy and plan and project potential.
A total of €150,000 are available and applications have to be sent in up to the end of January. Information and coaching sessions will also be held.
Dr de Marco said that the country had to invest in the digital gaming industry because this industry was surpassing that of film and music. In 2009 it generated some €2 billion in Europe.
He said that this industry formed part of the creative culture sector which contributed to four per cent of the country's GDP.
Mr Fenech stressed the importance of creating opportunities for Maltese talent. Digital gaming, he said, could help strengthen the country's vision to be an information technology centre.
He noted that there were 135 million people worldwide playing some sort of video game.
www.digitalgamesfund.gov.mt