Disappointed with the state budget
- We feel that the Minister of Culture sees the value of our work. We are therefore particularly disappointed that this is not reflected in the budget proposal.
Says Sylvia Keala Duerr, Managing Director of the Norwegian network for videogame companies (Noneda).
Noneda organizes courses, conferences and cluster developments for the Norwegian videogame industry. In 2021, Noneda received 700,000 from the state budget, but the grant was reduced to 200,000 this year.
- We have applied to get back up to the level we were at in 2021, with a grant of 700,000. For us, it is unfortunate that Bergen municipality is our largest contributor, it places limitations on our ability to work as the nationwide organization we are. We have also experienced that the government has cheered us on and supported the work we do to build networks and expertise in the industry.
Duerr is happy that the Film Fund is getting more funds for games, but misses investments that can build industry networks throughout the country.
- Our members have made themselves clear: One of the things the industry most needs is a larger network and more collaboration on the development of expertise.
Now she puts her trust in the new videogame strategy.
- We hope that the it’s not too late. We have reported the need for more competence development and network building nationally, in connection with the Ministry of Culture and Equality’s work with the new videogame strategy. We hope they will make a commitment to Noneda’s work there.
Concerned about the cluster program
Tallak Rundholt is chairman of Noneda and responsible for developing the organization’s cluster programme, the Norwegian Games Cluster. The state budget makes him worried about funding.
- Noneda has a fully completed cluster application which we believe will contribute strongly to growth and development in the Norwegian gaming industry. A national business cluster for videogame companies will strengthen the competitiveness of the industry in a global market. Innovation Norway has unfortunately put a hold on admissions of new clusters due to budget cuts. I fear that this state budget will not provide room for more investment into new clusters, but time will tell how Innovation Norway chooses to prioritize.