South Australia’s video game creators are getting a major power-up, with $1 million in funding opening to local developers and studios later this month.
The South Australian Film Corporation’s Digital Games Fund is returning for its second round, doubling the $500,000 offered when the program launched last year.
The expanded fund is the State Government’s largest single investment in game development funding and is designed to help South Australian studios create new titles, grow their businesses and take locally made games to international audiences.
The inaugural round in 2025 saw 11 South Australian studios share $500,000, with several projects already making their mark.
Retro AFL-inspired title Pro Jank Footy, developed by Powerbomb Games and Tinkertown, reached No.1 on Nintendo Switch following its August release and is also available globally on PlayStation, Xbox and Steam.
Bad Plan Studios’ End of Ember has since secured a publishing deal with Thailand-based Rising Tide Publishing, while Little Bandit’s The Troll & The Witch’s House and Peppermint from emerging SA studio Cowboy Fish have been selected to exhibit at PAX Aus in Melbourne.
This year’s $1 million Digital Games Fund will be split across three streams. Developers will be able to apply for pre-production funding for areas including prototypes, proof-of-concept work, early design and market testing; production funding for projects heading towards commercial release; and post-release funding for work such as localisation and porting.
Alongside the expanded fund, the SAFC is also launching a Games Studio Placement Program aimed at creating paid employment opportunities for emerging and mid-career developers. Eligible South Australian studios will be able to apply for subsidised salary and superannuation support for full-time placements lasting either six or 12 months.
South Australian Film Corporation Acting CEO Leanne Saunders shared, “The SAFC is delighted to double down on our support for South Australia’s video game sector with a second round of our Digital Games Fund offering twice the funding opportunities for local developers and studios to bring their new and innovative games to life.”
The programs sit alongside the existing SA Video Game Development Rebate, which offers a 10 per cent rebate on eligible projects with a minimum South Australian spend of $250,000.
That rebate has supported more than 40 South Australian video games to date, including projects developed for global companies such as Nintendo and Microsoft.
Minister for Arts Kyam Maher added, “The Labor Government is proud to back our world-class video games industry through the SAFC’s expanded $1 million Digital Games Fund, giving local developers more opportunities to create ambitious, globally competitive games right here in South Australia.
“As the state government’s largest-ever single investment in game development funding, this groundbreaking grants program will enable more South Australian developers and studios than ever before to bring their creativity and entrepreneurship to the world.”
Applications for the $1 million Digital Games Fund open on Wednesday, October 21st. The Games Studio Placement Program is expected to open later in 2026.
For more information, click here.
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