Global Application Process Opens for Stugan’s Second Annual Games Accelerator Program in Sweden
New backers join including former mentor Jens Bergensten (Jeb_), lead developer of Minecraft at Mojang
Stockholm, Sweden – 3 February 2016 – Stugan, the non-profit games accelerator launched by Sweden’s most influential video game developers and entrepreneurs, today opened its application process for its 2016 summer program. Twenty aspiring game developers will be selected to spend eight weeks with all expenses paid in a traditional Swedish cabin, or “Stugan” in the Swedish countryside, where they will be supported and mentored while building their games.
Additionally, Stugan is announcing that the first game to emerge from one of their 2015 teams will be launching later this month. The game comes from participate Clint Siu and is called “_PRISM.” The game is a visually stunning journey where players manipulate shapes and patterns to unfold sacred geometry with push and pull of cinematic design, mythology and intuitive touch exploration. The developer attributes much of his progress on the game to his time at Stugan, where mentors and other teams helped him hone his skills and discover news ones. The release date is set for February 18th for iOS (iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch).
“We couldn't be happier with the way last year’s Stugan played out,” said Stugan manager Jana Karlikova. “We set out to provide a platform to inspire undiscovered game developers across the globe and ended up with an amazing group of teams that not only made huge strides in their projects, but in turn fueled inspiration for some of the industries top veterans across all categories who came to mentor.”
This year’s program is steered by Sweden’s leading individuals in the games industry and developers from the likes of Rovio, Mojang, King, Resolution Games, Avalanche Studios, Snowprint Studios and others. Top Swedish and international games industry thought leaders will visit the cabin and hold lectures and workshops around their respective areas of focus.
Top mentors from last year, many who will be returning this year, include:
·Jens Bergensten (Jeb_), lead developer of Minecraft at Mojang.
·Tommy Palm, co-founder and CEO of Resolution Games and long-time Swedish games industry veteran.
·Oskar Burman, general manager of Rovio Stockholm and one of Sweden’s most well-known figures within the games industry.
·Karl Magnus Troedsson, VP of group strategy at Electronic Arts (EA).
·Paul Bragiel, Silicon Valley serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and managing partner and co-founder of I/O Ventures and Presence Capital.
·Alexander Ekvall, co-founder and CEO of Snowprint Studios and previously oversaw production for Candy Crush Saga and other games at King.
“We’re anticipating this year to be exceptional. We’re already getting lots of interest from some impressive mentors who want to participate and have nearly doubled the amount of sponsors this year, added Karlikova.
Applications will be accepted today through March 31, 2016. The application process is simple and includes a 90 second video, where applicants present themselves and their game idea, along with a short written description of themselves, the game and the goal they want to reach. Applicants can be for games developers across any platform and from anywhere in the world. Unlike traditional accelerator programs, all participants will keep the rights to the games they work on.
To submit an application and see additional program details go to www.stugan.com.
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About Stugan:
Stugan is a non-profit organization that organizes the annual accelerator program for aspiring game developers. The word Stugan means “the cabin” in Swedish and is also a throwback to the name of the first Swedish commercial computer game made in 1978. Stugan leverages the expertise of the established Swedish game industry and aims to provide opportunities for shepherding up-and-coming game designers and developers through development, publishing, marketing and more for ensuring a successful games launch. Stugan is supported by individuals including Oskar Burman, General Manager of Rovio Stockholm; Tommy Palm, CEO and co-founder of Resolution Games and Karl Magnus Troedsson, VP of group strategy at Electronic Arts (EA). For more information visit www.stugan.com, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stugancamp/ and Twitter www.twitter.com/stugan_
King Digital Entertainment and Candy Crush Saga are trademarks of King.com Ltd. Other trade names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Contact:
Paul Brady
Consort Partners for Stugan
Tel. 646-491-2777
