MDM Expands Funding Opportunities for Game Studios in Central Germany

The Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM, Central German Media Funding) has launched its first dedicated funding guideline for games, which has been approved by the European Commission and will take effect at the start of the new year. This marks a significant boost for studios based in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia.

The announcement was made during MDM’s end-of-year reception in Leipzig, bringing good news to the games industry across the three federal states. This is the first funding guideline specifically tailored for games, officially adopted and notified by the European Commission. Until now, games were supported by the MDM through a different program together with XR projects. The funding guideline will come into effect on January 1, 2025.

Under the new guideline, game studios can apply for:

• Concept and Story Development: Up to €30,000 in funding.
• Prototype Development: Grants of up to €100,000 or loans of up to €200,000.
• Production: Funding of up to €600,000.

This dedicated program significantly improves funding conditions for game developers in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, collectively known as "Mitteldeutschland" (Central Germany).

"Games are one of the most important growth markets in the entertainment industry. Business, culture, and science can all benefit equally from their innovative strength. In Central Germany, too, there are many exciting companies active in the games sector that we can now support even better with our guidelines. This will enable us to facilitate the development of games and sustainably strengthen regional studios and young creatives," emphasized MDM Managing Director André Naumann.

The full funding guidelines are available on the MDM website. Studios can book application advice appointments starting in January. The submission deadline for the first funding session is March 17, 2025, with the session itself scheduled for May 28, 2025.