Playfirst has announced it has given $30,000 to six different game companies through its 2007 Developer Dash funding program. Four of the six developers were companies; Kef Sensei from Uruguay, SortaSoft from the USA, Mini IT from Russia and Beatshapers from the Ukraine. The other two developers who won awards were Sergey Batishchev of Russia and Rafal Kozik of Poland.
The program allows independent game companies and developers the opportunity to receive awards for creating games using Playfirst's Playground SDK. Playfirst gives away $100,000 every year in recognition of game developers who deliver creative and innovative games.
“As a leader in casual games, we consider it our privilege and responsibility to encourage creativity among the development community,” said John Welch, CEO and president of PlayFirst. “Fostering creativity benefits everyone because innovative hits lift the profile and appeal of the entire category."
Kef Sensei, who was awarded through the program also signed a deal with the casual game producer.
"Winning a Developer Dash award is exciting and the publishing deal is like a dream come true for a startup game studio like ours," said Eli Barnett, CEO, Kef Sensei. "PlayFirst is really stepping up in their search for new, talented developers that challenge existing genres and game dynamics to take the casual industry to an entirely new level.”
[PLAYFIRST ANNOUNCES $30,000 IN GRANTS TO INDEPENDENT GAME DEVELOPERS]
