SwissGames Showcase 2023
Initiated in 2020 by Pro Helvetia the SwissGames Showcase is an annual mentorship programme that offers independent Swiss game studios the opportunity to be individually, tailor-made coached and connected with the game industry.
Following a call for participation in 2022, studios from all over Switzerland sent in video pitches – explaining their aim of participating in the mentorship programme, outlining their business strategy, indicating the production status of their game, and of course giving insights into the gameplay.
The members of the jury, a panel of international experts from the game industry, chose the studios that they would personally coach via online sessions and introduce to potential business partners within their networks. Furthermore, the studios forming the SwissGames Showcase 2023 will take part in several important international industry events throughout the year, as well as be supported in curated matchmaking by our partner MeetToMatch.
Selected Studios
knit'n'purl game studio
Pocket Oasis
For further information on financial aspects and schedule
Pocket oasis is a gardening simulator that is completely hand-drawn with watercolor. It is a relaxing Tamagotchi style game where the player has 5-10 minutes a couple of times a day to relax and check out – decorating balconies, growing seedlings, harvesting own fruits.
Genre
Simulation
Console
Mobile
Looping
Crow's Nest
Crow’s Nest is a roguelite strategy RPG where the player is the captain – leading the pirate crew, managing the ship, hiring new crew members, sailing across the outlandish 8th Sea and hunting for ancient treasures.
Genres
RPG, Roguelite, Strategy
PC
Mac n Cheese Games
Munch
In a medieval time, an alchemical accident causes mutations to outpace evolution in the animal kingdom. It is up to the player to control a small innocent creature in a fight for dominance, eating its way up the food chain to develop new skills and grow into the ultimate apex predator.
Genres
Roguelite, Action
PC
Console
Momento Games
Flying Legends
For further information on financial aspects and schedule
Flying Legends is a multiplayer game in which six legends, forming two teams, compete in a reckless and bizarre battle for goals.
Genre
Basketball based fighting game
PC
Console
Surprised Turtle Studios
Seven Dwarfs: Legends Untold
For further information on financial aspects and schedule
Seven Dwarfs: Legends Untold is a co-op action roguelike game for up to four players with seven unique characters and a wide range of upgrades that build the characters as the players face hordes of enemies in a fast-paced combat. Inspired by the classic fairytale Snow White, the game leverages high-resolution pixel animations to create a nostalgic atmosphere while taking advantage of modern graphics.
Genres
Co-op action roguelike
PC
Console
Studio ZB
Truth Detectives — a very serious game
For further information on financial aspects and schedule
Truth Detectives — a very serious game trains the player to become a full-fledged open source intelligence (OSINT) investigator. The player learns how to use OSINT tools and gains experience by reconstructing real-world cases of human rights violations – prepared to join and support activist networks like Amnesty International or Bellingcat.
Genres
New genre, Real crime investigation with real content
PC
Team Kerzoven
Circle of Kerzoven
For further information on financial aspects and schedule
Circle of Kerzoven is a city-building strategy game paired with an immersive simulation. The player manages its citizens, resources, production lines and the interaction with the surrounding nature.
Genres
Settlement-Building, Strategy, Simulation
PC
Vizar Technologies
LightClash AR
For further information on financial aspects and schedule
LightClash AR is a SciFi lasertag-type of game for mobile. It enables direct multiplayer interaction in an augmented reality environment by applying Vizar Engine, an image processing technology developed and patented by Vizar Technologies.
Genres
Augmented reality on mobile
AR on mobile
About the Mentors
Rufus Kubica started his adventure at 11 bit studios as Community Manager (Marketing), then switched to a more high-level PR role as a Senior Communication Manager, to finally become a Senior Product Manager in the External Development Team.
Lélia Peuchamiel is a Game Production/Publishing consultant and indie games specialist. Among others, she has worked for publishers like Team17 and Good Shepherd to scout new talent, develop their labels, and deliver their flagship titles.
Astrid Refstrup is the CEO of Triple Topping games, a feministic games studio, focusing on narrative games. She was the co-writer and director on Welcome to Elk released on 2019 and also an advisor to the game fund Kowloon Nights.
Ella Romanos is an award-winning games industry executive, with over 12 years experience running and managing teams and projects. With Fundamentally Games Ltd, she helps developers and organisations transform their games into services, working from concept to live ops.
Jason Della Rocca is a game industry entrepreneur, funding advisor, and cluster expert, specialized in business/partnership development, pitching/funding, and ecosystem/cluster development. As the co-founder of Executions Labs, he was a hands-on early stage investor to over 20 independent game studios from North America and Europe.