If you’re a European game developer, studio, or XR creator... this one’s worth your attention.
📰 What’s going on
The European funding scheme CREA‑MEDIA 2026 Video Games & Immersive Content Development is now open for applications. It’s designed to support video games and immersive content (narrative games, interactive VR/AR/immersive experiences) — in the development/pre-production phase only (concepts, prototypes, vertical slices, first-playable builds).
- 💶 Grant Amount: up to €200,000 per project
- 🗓️ Deadline: 11 February 2026, 17:00 (CET)
- 🎯 Eligible Projects: original & innovative video games or immersive interactive content with strong storytelling or gameplay, aimed at commercial exploitation on PC, consoles, mobile, VR/AR, etc.
- ✔️ Key Priorities: high creative value; cross-border/international potential; retention of rights; sustainable, inclusive & diverse production approach (gender balance, inclusion, diversity)
✅ Why It Matters for Indie Devs & Small Studios
• Reduce Financial Risk Early
Game development — especially in pre-production — requires time, experimentation, and iteration. This grant reduces the financial burden upfront.
• Validate Your Concept & Build Prototype Without Pressure
Instead of budgeting long sprints or external funding, you get a buffer to build a vertical slice or proof-of-concept that can attract publishers or investors later.
• Retain Creative Control & IP Ownership
The scheme encourages European developers to keep their intellectual property, which remains with your studio. This means you maintain long-term upside rather than surrendering IP rights to external publishers.
• Boost Credibility for Partnerships or Funding
A funded, grant-backed prototype carries extra weight when pitching to publishers, collaborators, or investors — the grant is like a “stamp of confidence.”
• Perfect Fit for Experimental, Narrative, or Immersive Projects
If you’re building a VR experience, an innovative mechanic, or a title targeting niche audiences — this support is aimed at those kinds of high-ambition, high-creativity projects.
📋 What You’ll Need to Apply
Before you start, make sure you have:
- A registered legal entity in a country that participates in the MEDIA strand (EU or eligible European country)
- Proven past experience: the coordinator (lead applicant) must have previously developed and released a video game or immersive experience commercially distributed between 01/01/2023 and today.
- A clear proposal: game/immersive experience concept, vertical slice/demo/first playable (not full production), design documents, IP ownership clarity, budget breakdown, and compliance with inclusion/diversity/sustainability criteria.
🎬 What We Recommend You Do Now
- Bookmark the call page and mark the deadline on your calendar.
- Gather your project’s basic info — legal entity docs, previous title history, team composition, concept brief, rough budget.
- Read the full call document (available from Creative Europe / EACEA) to verify exact eligibility and submission requirements.
- Use this as a milestone opportunity — even if you don’t plan immediate production, a grant-backed prototype can open doors.
- Share with your network — if you know other devs or XR/immersive studios, encourage them to apply too. Larger consortiums (co-development) are allowed.