Teams have been announced for Tranzfuser 2022

This year there was a huge surge in applications to Tranzfuser, with the quality bar yet again raised by innovative and creative graduate teams of developers. The Tranzfuser review panel selected 22 teams, based at Local Hubs right across the UK.

The competition sees a cohort of 22 graduate game development teams enrolling on the summer-long programme of entrepreneurship development, with budget allocation along side hard deadlines – all designed to replicate as close as possible the ‘real world’ experiences of running an independent studio.

Each year since Tranzfuser launched in 2016 we have seen entrepreneurial collaboration across our network flourish and adapt to the growing market. This year, applications ranged from VR projects exploring innovative gameplay, to retro metroidvania PC games.

Tranzfuser 2022 will see the teams invited to participate in various online and in-person events, taking the best learning from the past few years and applying it to the way of working of today. Throughout the summer-long programme, the teams will have access to mentors from the indie game dev sector as well as a structured roster of learning to participate in. Taking the approach of giving the teams the freedom to explore their projects as well as their team dynamic whilst retaining a framework to the programme has proven to be highly effective over the years.

Deborah FarleyHead of Talent and Outreach, said: “Whittling the applications down to the 22 teams selected was no easy task; the talent, passion and ingenuity displayed in all applications received is to be highly commended and should be celebrated as sign of things to come for the UK-wide sector. As ever, we’re delighted to be partnering with our network of Local Hubs as they each offer their base of teams unique tailored support.”

The teams selected to take part in Tranzfuser 2022 are:

As with every year of the competition, the teams will be invited to participate in a consumer-facing showcase towards the end of the programme with the further opportunity to pitch for further funding support from the UK Games Fund.

Last year’s winners Solar Flare LondonMeteorite Media and Episod Studios all recently exhibited at WASD.

For more information about this year’s teams, including details of their games, visit the Teams page.

MiniGame @ The Pixel Mill

Northern Ireland Screen is seeking new teams to video game development that are motivated to develop and release their first title to apply for MiniGame. The call is open to video game studios based in Northern Ireland that are working towards developing their first game.

MiniGame will encourage studios to create mini/short games that they can publish within 5 months. These can be narrative games that can be completed in less than an hours, an endless runner with unique mechanics, a turn based strategy with interesting rules. Concise games that people can pick-up and enjoy in a day.

MiniGame will be hosted in The Pixel Mill based at the Ormeau Baths in Belfast, or remotely if teams are not based in Belfast, where companies will have access to facilities and mentors.

Northern Ireland Screen is inviting applications from studios to take part with support for up to 3 successful companies to develop their business and build their teams. As part of MiniGame companies will receive:

  • Up to £25,000 in development funding per company across 2 stage
  • Access to facilities and mentors at The Pixel Mill

Interested companies will initially be invited to complete an online expression of interest. From there, shortlisted companies will be invited to attend an interview and pitch presentation.

For further information please click here.

Deadline for applications is Thursday 4th August.

For further information please email Rory Clifford, Interactive Manager, rory@northernirelandscreen.co.uk.

Interactive Study Placement opportunities

Northern Ireland Screen is partnering with a range of studios working in Northern Ireland’s interactive sector (video games and immersive) to offer Interactive Study Placements for students currently studying interactive related courses and seeking work experience.

The Interactive Study Placements are for 12 months, full time and paid (Real Living Wage), with the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting projects in Northern Ireland.

The Interactive Study Placements are open to students currently in full-time education who are seeking a work placement year as part of their college/university course. There are seven placement opportunities available with a number of local interactive and video game companies, including:

  • BillyGoat – Programmer
  • Brain and Nerd – Junior Games Designer
  • Buck Eejit – 3D Generalist
  • GoTestify – Junior Test Lead
  • INCISIV – 3D Generalist
  • RETìníZE – Production Assistant
  • RocketFlair – 3D Generalist

Applicants can apply for multiple placements if they meet the essential criteria.

Essential Criteria

  1. Applicants must be in full time education at a FE/HE Institution and are seeking a placement for their work experience year. Applicants must be planning to return to full-time education at the end of the placement to complete their course.
  2. Applicants must be resident within Northern Ireland for the duration of the 12-month placement.
  3. Applicants must demonstrate they are studying a course which is relevant to the interactive sector (video games and immersive), for example 2D Art/Animation, 3D Modelling/Animation, Game Design, Computer Science, VFX, UX/UI Design.

Please read the Candidate Information Pack for further clarification on each individual placement.

Deadline: Monday 27th June at 12noon

Click HERE to apply.