The Canada Media Fund (CMF) announced today a contribution of more than $8.0M in development and marketing support to innovative digital media projects as part of the second round of its 2014-2015 Experimental Stream funding. In December 2014, the CMF announced a contribution of more than $11.0M to 24 projects that received production support. Since 2010, the CMF has contributed $52.5M in development and marketing support to 235 interactive digital media projects as part of the Experimental Stream.
Development support
A total of 23 Canadian companies received support totaling $6.2M to develop three applications, one eBook, seven interactive platforms, 11 games, and one social media platform. The 23 companies are located in various regions of the country, one in Alberta, two in British Columbia, one in Newfoundland and Labrador, one in Nova Scotia, three in Ontario, and 15 in Québec.
Development support provides funding for the conceptualization of an eligible project and/or for the development of the creative and technical elements of an eligible project and the drafting of a product proposal for business development and financing purposes.
Title
Applicant
Commitment
Awakened
Little Guy Games Inc.
$386,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Ontario
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
ConQuest
Silverstring Media Inc.
$270,115
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : British Columbia
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Streaming
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Curiate
Chen, Jennifer
$374,959
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : British Columbia
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
DM Ex: Mad Devils I
Itzy Interactive
$210,146
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Alberta
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Downloadable
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
ForgeWorld: Chained Alliance
Alpha Dog Games Inc.
$290,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Nova Scotia
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Giant Cop
Other Ocean Group Canada Limited
$201,503
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Newfoundland
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Downloadable
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
MashUp Jules Verne
NTEO inc.
$97,650
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : eBook
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Necropolis. La ville des fantômes
9097-4767 Québec inc.
$400,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : French
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Nomad App
Nomad Industries Inc.
$147,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
OS
Coconut Games Inc.
$264,375
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Secret Powers: Animals
Ululab Inc.
$250,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Smala
Studio Toboggan Inc.
$150,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Social media
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
SmartScene
Cirque du Soleil Média
$391,620
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Streaming
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Snowflake System Game Software
Smokebomb Entertainment Inc.
$400,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Ontario
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Sphinx
Erudite Science Inc.
$394,756
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : None
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Superhuman
Minority Media Inc.
$400,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Théâtre du Mercure
Toxa Inc.
$73,965
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : French
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
VideoPixx
MoreIdeas Inc.
$192,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : None
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Virtual Reality Historical Vignettes
SimWave Consulting Incorporated
$400,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Ontario
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
VYOO
Arnoovo
$287,382
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : None
Delivery Method : Streaming
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Yogimos!
Atelier Rocoto Inc.
$80,895
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : French
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Physical Support
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Z’Isle Video Game
Miscellaneum Studios
$133,500
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Downloadable
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Zombie Cruise
Hibernum Créations Inc.
$373,500
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Development
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Downloadable
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Marketing support
The CMF has contributed $1.8M in marketing support to 8 interactive digital media projects including three games, three interactive platforms, one social media application, and one software application. Projects are from three regions in Canada, two from British Columbia, two from Ontario, and four from Québec. Marketing support provides funding for the marketing and promotion of an eligible project such as the creation of national and international marketing campaigns, design costs, creation and market-testing of advertising, use of the Internet for promotion or transactions, and more.
Title
Applicant
Commitment
Agora – Marketing
Frima Studio Inc.
$239,248
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Marketing
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Downloadable
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Agora delves into the realm of theater and the performing arts in order to give birth to a fun and wondrous new game for PC platforms (Windows and OSX). The characters in the game are actually actors performing parts in a play called Tyranny of a Princess. Set in a cylindrical world of medieval fantasy flavour, this scenario casts the player in the role of a knight who has just met a princess and must do everything in his power to please her. Players explore the world, gather resources, build a decent castle and fight off monsters with an army of colourful followers, in order to meet the princess’ whims and desires. However, the princess is extremely demanding and believes she has a talent for singing. As the play unfolds, players are tasked with finding rare sheet music parts in order to improve her singing skills which she will respond to by attracting more followers to join your army.
ArtStation
Ballistiq Digital Inc.
$154,800
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Marketing
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Social media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
ArtStation is a web-based (Windows and OSX) social media network for the media & entertainment visual arts industry. It enables artists to showcase their portfolios in a slick way, discover new artists to be inspired and connect with new opportunities. When a studio gets a green light to produce shots for a movie or make a video game, they have to find the right talent quickly. Studio recruiters are looking for a platform specific to finding relevant talent for their productions. ArtStation is an industry hub where artists connect with each other and with jobs. Recruiters access a live database of the world’s top artists and find the exact talent that they need, when they need it.
Biba Mobile Application
Zeros 2 Heroes Media Inc.
$175,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Marketing
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : British Columbia
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Biba, a mobile game for iOS and Android, changes digital games from sedentary activities by incorporating them into the design of the physical, imaginative and outdoor experiences offered through conventional playgrounds. Biba is marketed with one of the global leaders in the manufacture of playground equipment to bring the game to neighbourhoods across North America and Europe.
Plateforme RealMotion
4459202 Canada inc.
$371,926
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Marketing
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : None
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
The RealMotion platform provides a fully integrated rapid prototyping solution, including design and deployment of next-generation immersive interactive environments. This tool has been developed for personal computers and is designed to be simple enough for users who wish to create a complex interactive application in just a few minutes. Experts in this field can work on the frontiers of current technology to develop exciting new modes of interaction. This technology will deliver real-time rendering comparable in quality to video game industry standards, high-level interoperability, advanced interactive capability, scalable technology and an impressive degree of automation for the multimedia field.
Shnarped Fan Engagement Platform – Marketing and Promotion
Interactive Athletes Corporation
$360,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Marketing
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : British Columbia
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Shnarped connects passionate sports fans to their favourite professional athletes across mobile platforms (iOS and Android) and its website (Windows and OSX). It aggregates news, stats, and highlights across every pro, college, and junior hockey league in North America. It’s used to fuel fan connections in a positive manner that is very convenient for busy teams and athletes. Founded by professional hockey players, Shnarped is currently used by over 150 NHL players, 1,000 NHL prospects, and 50 hockey teams. Last season more hockey fans received messages from players on Shnarped than on Twitter.
SmartTones.tv
Hemingway Productions Inc.
$208,059
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Marketing
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Ontario
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
SmartTones.tv enables television and film directors to direct the second screen user experience. By using sound codes embedded in broadcast or theatrical video as triggers to the mobile device, rich interactive media content is delivered directly to the viewer, the right content at exactly the right time. Bonus content, games, voting, interactive media, coupons, instant purchases, and any rich media are delivered directly to the viewer, precisely when they are watching and engaged. It creates new revenue opportunities for broadcasters and film-makers, and increases ad value for viewers, giving them what they want, when they want it. SmartTones.tv was developed for the following mobile apps: Android, Google Play, and iOS.
Subaeria
Studios Illogika Inc.
$146,829
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : Bilingual
Activity : Marketing
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Game
Delivery Method : Downloadable
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
Designed for personal computers (Windows and OSX), Subaeria is a game that resembles the Procedural Death Labyrinth genre, with its focus on interactive storytelling – but delivers an innovative, immersive gaming experience that’s all its own. Players in the futuristic city of Liv’yatan can assume different character roles and then discover how these characters are interconnected in a dystopian world plagued by pervasive social inequality and consumerism. Players’ thinking skills will also be set to a super stress test when they have to trap their enemies in semi-procedurally generated underwater mazes.
Videogami Media Center
Tribal MX Inc.
$150,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Experimental
Language : English
Activity : Marketing
Genre : N/A
Envelope/Broadcaster : N/A
Region : Ontario
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 2
Status : Decision
The Videogami Media Center is a web-based platform (Windows and OSX) for live event producers that allows them to leverage the media from their events to create bundles of media in real time to increase awareness through a broader range of social media channels. They can also bundle media snippets into curated highlights that can be distributed through news desks and other distribution channels.