“The Australian Government is committed to supporting the Australian digital games sector - to create, innovate and flourish and achieve its full potential,” says Minister for the Arts, the Hon Tony Burke MP. Today comes word that Screen Australia's Games: Expansion Pack initiative is providing $4 million in funding to original games (31 in total) covering a range of genres.

“These games are artistic, educational, inspiring and fun projects, and we’re pleased to have been able to support even more projects than we anticipated," the Minister for the Arts adds. "It’s fantastic to have such a wide mix from all around the country.”

Some of the games getting funding include:

Bits & Bops (NSW)

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A collection of over 20 original rhythm mini-games filled with catchy music, snappy gameplay and hand-drawn animation. Bits & Bops is created by Tempo Lab Games, which includes Managing Director Evan Andrews, Art Director Rose Hammer and composer Julian Sanchez.

Bosswords (VIC)

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A grandiloquent word game for logophiles from PlayReactive where players must quickly find a word that contains a given set of letters. This may seem easy, but try ‘Q R T K’ and it becomes decidedly tricky (answer: earthquake!).

Earthlingo (WA)

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A language-learning role-playing game where players take on the role of an alien exploring Earth and learning local languages. Players use vocabulary skills to battle evil robots and save the humans of Earth. The Earthlingo creative team is helmed by Lead Developer Raymond Corrigan and Project Manager Zilin Su.

Enchantress (VIC)

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A visual novel where players play as a young jeweller who has the ability to imbue her creations with her customer’s emotions. The player is invited to navigate a story that explores themes of grief and emotional regulation through a thought-provoking, fantasy lens. The creative team, Cactus Jam Games, includes Creative Director Nidula Geeganage, Art Director Julia Ye, Lead Programmer Audrey Castillo and Artist Friyana Madon.

Fox and Shadow (SA)

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A deck-building game set in a retro-futuristic world where AI has taken over, forcing humanity underground. To survive, humans must pilot drones to salvage materials from the world above. The creative team, Paper Cactus Games, includes Producer Leo Cheung, Lead Programmer Jackson Michael and Lead Designer Sapphire Van Veen.

Future Folklore (VIC)

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A building/crafting game with a uniquely Indigenous lens that invites players to restore the bush and care for Country, in a futuristic fantasy setting inspired by the Australian bush. The creative team, Guck, features Game Director Hayley Percy Joyce, Art Director Jarra Karalinar Steel, Lead Designer Phoebe Watson, Producer Ripley Kavara, Lead Developer Daniel Dang, Lead Artist Charlotte Allingham, Managing Director Kati Elizabeth, Composer Robert Champion and Community Manager Matthew Ngamurarri Heffernan. This project has also received support from VicScreen.

Leonardo’s Moon Ship (TAS)

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A narrative adventure game set in Renaissance Florence, where famed inventor Leonardo da Vinci is the talk of the town. But when a mysterious message calls to Da Vinci, he finds himself torn between the love of his fans, the wrath of his enemies, and his boundless desire to learn more. Featuring hand animation, players will make friends and enemies, solve puzzles, and talk their way out of all sorts of scrapes. This game is a collaboration between Secret Lab, including Creative Director Jon Manning, Producer Paris Buttfield-Addison, and Writer and Animator Jim Capobianco.

Moonlight In Garland (VIC)

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An open-ended life simulation game created by solo Developer Violet LeBeaux. Inspired by LeBeaux’s own experience of moving to Melbourne, this game is about finding your feet in the big city. Players can decorate their apartment, make new friends, grow lots of houseplants and enjoy their newfound city life. Moonlight in Garland has also received support from VicScreen.

Servonauts (QLD)

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A casual, multiplayer puzzle game from Maxart where players take on the role of a goofy 'Servonaut' in an intergalactic petrol station, and need to manage chaotic pipes to provide fuel, air and snacks to customers. The team includes Creative Director Thomas MacNamara, Lead Artist Johan Becconsall, Producer Tom Smeltzer and Managing Director Peter Clowes.

Totem Teller (VIC)

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A pensive and deeply philosophical game that charges the player to reflect on their own past and how history shapes us as humans. Classic, ‘source’ folktales are retold through exploration, poetry, dialogue and a highly distinctive glitch-art style. The team, Grinning Pickle, includes Creative Director Ben Kerslake, Lead Programmer Jerry Verhoeven and Writer and Narrative Designer Alexander Swords. This project has also received support from VicScreen.

It's definitely a great sounding collection of games, and yeah, it's great to see that the Aussie industry is getting the support it deseves. Ron Curry, CEO of IGEA commented, a long supporter and advocate for local game development is very happy with the news. “After strongly advocating for the reinstatement of the Australian Interactive Games Fund for many years, we thank The Minister for the Arts, the Hon Tony Burke MP and the Australian Government for their support of the highly creative and technically skilled video game industry," Ron states. "Games: Expansion Pack is directed toward emerging, or small to medium independent games studios. It was fantastic to see Screen Australia bolstering support to cater to the high demand and quality of applications for the initial round of funding."