Incubator and Cluster Dutch Game Garden Closes After 17 Years Due to Funding Issues

After 17 years and 130 incubated companies, game cluster and Indigo Showcase host Dutch Game Garden closes due to budget issues. The future of the Indigo Showcase indie festival in Utrecht is as of yet unsure.

Dutch game incubator, support cluster and organiser of the Indigo game festival, Dutch Game Garden, closes down after 17 years of service in the games industry. The decision comes due to a lack of public funding, the leadership proclaimed in a press release.

Since its foundation in 2008, more than 130 companies had taken part in Dutch Game Garden’s incubator programme, and more than 150 companies have occupied office spaces in the cluster.

Peter Laanen, Chairman of the Board: “It is with a heavy heart that we have had to make this decision. We are proud of what we have achieved over the past 17 years and the effect that our efforts have had on the Dutch games industry. Unfortunately, we are now forced to close our doors, but we look back with satisfaction on everything we have accomplished together.”

Jan-Pieter van Seventer, managing director: “In the coming months, several regular activities, such as the successful Network Lunches, will continue as planned. We thank all our partners, employees, companies, and the entire game community for their support and trust during all these years.”

What this means for the next editions of Indigo is as of yet unsure. "In the coming months, we will be working out what will happen to the legacy of Dutch Game Garden. Some activities may be continued by other parties, while others will unfortunately cease. Once we have more information and clarity, we will make sure we'll have a proper statement release for that", says a speaker for Dutch Game Garden in response to a request by GamesMarkt.