The nordmedia Award Committee approved around €4.2 million in funding for 2025 in the third funding round. A total of 52 projects received financial support, the majority of which went to film and TV productions. Almost €150,000 in funding has been allocated to four games projects.
The largest amount - up to €72,100 - is awarded to Johannes Thimme and his recently established Quality Time Studio in Lower Saxony. The funding is intended to support the production/development of a game prototype for "Project Pinecone".
Johannes Thimme, Managing Director of Quality Time Studio, states: "The idea for Project Pinecone has existed for a long time. Thanks to nordmedia's support, we are now taking a decisive step closer to realizing the project. The goal of the funding is to develop a prototype at the level of a vertical slice, which will not only validate core gameplay mechanics but also provide a meaningful preview of the final game. This is an important prerequisite for approaching potential investors and publishers and entering the production phase. nordmedia is a strong partner on this journey, whose work creates real added value for the media industry in Lower Saxony."
In Project Pinecone, players take on the role of a forester and take over an old tree nursery. This relaxing farming role-playing game allows players to unwind and gradually bring nature back to life through their actions. Unlike many games in the genre, the focus is not on optimising economic gameplay loops. Instead, the emphasis is on creative expression and the ecological restoration of the game world.
Lubitz u Pfeffer GbR, based in Worpswede, will receive funding of up to €39,626.00 for 2080 - Operation Sunshield (production funding/game prototype development). The project is a point-and-click adventure game. Players take on the role of engineer Joy Davis, tasked with deploying a giant sunshade between Earth and the Sun from a spaceship in order to combat global warming.
Two other projects will also receive funding for further development. Up to €19,200 will go to Luzari GbR from Hameln for Airship Era. This real-time strategy roguelike is inspired by Faster Than Light. Players take command of a steam-powered airship in an anime fantasy world. Lisa Dibo Marie Gonda from Braunschweig will receive up to €18,097 for Simutales. In this open-world life simulation game, players create their own world and populate it with the Umis, imaginative inhabitants. They set up households and shape their everyday lives.
