The Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant, a program aimed at investing in developers of underrepresented groups and backgrounds, has today announced its selection of games that will be receiving the grant.
The program is spearheaded by Draknek & Friends, the developer/publisher of titles such as A Monster’s Expedition and Bonfire Peaks, and distributes grants to developers creating and working on puzzles games. In collaboration with Astra Games, who have also contributed funds towards the grants, they will also be offering mentorship from other puzzle game developers. The hope is that the grant can support under-invested-in groups, including people of color, non-English speakers, and those outside of Europe and North America.
Now you know what the grant is, let's get to the highlight: the grantees!
ISLAND_NAME_HERE
by Jiheh Ritterling, Spicy Rice Cake Studio
Jiheh is a solo dev working on “ISLAND_NAME_HERE”, a puzzle adventure about a game designer making a tropical island.
Lost Twins II
by Urooj Iqbal, Playdew
Urooj is part of the team of Pakistani devs working on “Lost Twins II”, an immersive puzzle-platformer with lush visuals and elegant problem solving.
Castle of Glas
by Arka Tu, Queensguard Games
Arka’s team made plant-themed puzzle game “Castle of Glas” for the Cartomancy Anthology, and are planning to use this funding to develop a sequel.
AiliA
by Runyu Zhong, Icetoad Studio
Runyu is part of a team of 3 creating “AiliA”, an emotional narrative puzzler focusing on themes of grief and acceptance.
Paquerette Down the Bunburrows
by Lenophie, Bunstack
Bunstack are developing “Paquerette Down the Bunburrows”, a pathfinding game about capturing bunnies.
DokiToki: Time Slows Down When You're In Love
by Youssef Tobah, Flip Alive Games
A US based team making the visual novel / puzzle game mashup “DokiToki: Time Slows Down When You're In Love”.
Catacomb Creeper: Re-Vined Edition
by Breogán Hackett, Blindbug Interactive
An Irish studio making the plant-growing puzzle adventure “Catacomb Creeper: Re-Vined Edition”, available as part of Indiepocalypse 27.
Timeclone
by Rowan Wood
Rowan is an accomplished solo dev, having previously released the abstract puzzler “yarne”. Their next project is a mind-bending puzzler called “Timeclone”.
Cutting Edge
by Ryo Kurama, Notan
Based in Japan, Notan is making “Cutting Edge” (working title), a puzzle game about digging holes.
On the Perils of Parrots
by Glen Henry, Spritewrench
A one man micro-studio based in Kingston, Jamaica, making the narrative puzzle experience “On the Perils of Parrots”.
Konkan Coast Pirate Solutions
by Samarth Hattangady, Chapliboy
A solo dev from India making “Konkan Coast Pirate Solutions”, a puzzle game about helping pirates accomplish their pirate goals.
Hackshot
by Mohammed Al Najjar, RD interactive
Mohammed is a solo dev based in the Middle East. His project “Hackshot” is a twisted puzzle take on artillery games.
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