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Total 100 million yen in funding! 2nd GYAAR Studio Indie Game Contest. Announcement of Results! Thank you all for applying!
All award winners have been selected! Details here
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Bandai Namco Entertainment and Bandai Namco Studios announce "The Second GYAAR Studio Indie Games Contest" for indie game creators!

The aim of this contest is to actively support indie game creators and further stimulate the game industry. The 1st contest was held in 2022, and we had selected one platinum award and seven prize-winning games.
For the second contest, talented and outstanding works also will be selected and we plan to offer a total of up to 100 million JPY in support funding to those works as well.

In addition to it, Bandai Namco Group will fully support the creators leveraging our years of acquired know-how!

About GYAAR Studio:
“GYAAR Studio” was founded in 2021 as an indie game label meant to help foster ace game creators for Bandai Namco Studios’ major global titles, by allowing young talent to express their creative ideas directly and freely. In hopes of having as many creators step up to the plate, the first GYAAR Studio Indie Game Contest that was aimed at indie game creators outside the company was held in 2022 and one Platinum Award winner and seven other prize winners were selected.
By extending support to allow variety of game titles to shine brighter than ever, the hope is to further stimulate the video game market.

Timeline

  • May 25 - Announce 2nd Contest
  • August 9 - Announce 2nd Contest details
  • September 21 - Applications open
  • December 4 - Application deadline
  • Mid December to February, 2024 - Review

    * Incl. the final review (online interview)

  • March 2 to 3, 2024 - Winner announcement

Solid Support Programs

  • Financial Support

    Total of up to 100 million JPY in support funding

    Platinum Award
    (Maximum of 1 winner)

    Up to 30 million JPY (2 years of funding)

    At time of reward...10 million JPY
    Additional 2.5 million JPY every three months after award (up to 8 times)...up to 20 million JPY

    *An examination will be carried out for each support payment, and further support may be cancelled based on the results.

    Award Winners
    (Maximum of 6 winners)

    Up to 10 million JPY (2 years of funding)

    At time of reward...2 million JPY
    Additional 1 million JPY every three months after award (up to 8 times)...up to 8 million JPY

    *An examination will be carried out for each support payment, and further support may be cancelled based on the results.

    Honorable Mention
    (Maximum of 10 winners)

    1 million JPY at the time of award

    *Honorable Mention winners will also be required to submit development progress reports to us on a regular basis after receiving the award.

  • Development Support

    ​Sharing of development know-how and technical insight

    • Sharing of development know-how and technical insight
    • Lending of development equipment and environment
    • Topic-based talk sessions with Company' creators
    • Feedbacks for prize winner titles by Bandai Namco Studios' creators on regular basis
    • Marketing-focused support

    *For Honorable Mention, please check the Entry Terms since the regulations of the support programs are different.

  • Other Support Programs
    • Free access to the "GYAAR Studio Base" development center
    • Access to the prize winners' communities
    • Publishing Support
    • IP Co-creation Support

    *For Honorable Mention, please check the Entry Terms since the regulations of the support programs are different.

  • Special Support by Supercell
    • PR support for award-winning titles mainly on various social media sites managed by Supercell
    • Networking with European indie game creators
    • Company tour of Supercell’s Helsinki office and networking with Supercell employees
    • Feedback and advice on the award-winning titles by Supercell employees

    *Platinum award and award winners only

Entry Terms

Who can apply?

  • Individuals, groups, and legal entities can apply! Multiple entries are also accepted!
    You can re-apply with your title/s submitted for the 1st contest as well!!

  • No age requirement!
    *Please note that minors will need to submit a consent form signed by their legal representative such as a parent or guardian upon application. Click here to download the consent form.

  • The representative will need a Bandai Namco ID when applying!

What can I submit?

  • We're accepting works of any genre!
    Any title that isn't yet available for purchase and can be sold via Steam (on PC) is eligible.

  • You can also submit work that you've submitted to other contests before!
    *Please note that the contest winner(s) will grant us the first refusal rights for the commercialization of their work.

  • Must-have items are as follows

    • A playable demo or prototype
    • A game proposal
    • A user's manual / instruction

    Click here to download a game proposal template.

  • Only original works will be accepted! *Please take care not to infringe on any third party rights.

  • Unreleased titles are only applicable at the time of the final review (incl. free access sales, etc.).

Who gets the rights?

  • Applicants keep the rights to the work they submitted!
    *Rights will not be transferred to the contest organizer.

  • The contest organizer will be granted first refusal rights for the release and merchandising of the winning entry.
    * Any titles have been on sale are ineligible, because it can not be gained the first refusal rights.

Applications are closed.

Click here for the details of the 1st contest.

Datails here to go to First GYAAR Studio Indie Game Contest

This is the latest information as of the announcement date. Content is subject to change without notice after announcement.

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