Winners announced for Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant
On Wednesday, prolific puzzle game developers Draknek & Friends announced the independent puzzle game development teams that will receive funding from the first ever Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant. The grant was created in partnership with Astra and Games For Change, and aims to increase diversity in the world of puzzle games.
“The community of players who love great puzzle games is full of people from a wide range of backgrounds. However, the people making the most successful puzzle games and receiving funding are noticeably less diverse – even less so than video games more broadly,” said Alan Hazelden, founder of Draknek & Friends. “The New Voices Puzzle Grant is our opportunity to give back to the next generation of underrepresented and under-invested-in creators. I had high expectations, but the quality and variety of submissions blew me away. I can’t wait to see the finished games.”
Draknek & Friends is a developer and publisher focused specifically on puzzle games. Previous work includes A Good Snowman is Hard to Build, Bonfire Peaks, and A Monster’s Expedition. Their games aim to be elegant and challenging, cultivating persistence, creativity, and logical thinking. Astra Games, meanwhile, is a philanthropic fund that “aims to elevate the thinking game genre.”
“We’re very excited about the opportunity to support this remarkable group of developers,” said Eileen Hollinger, Astra Games co-founder. “These emerging voices are shaping the future of puzzle games and we’re eager to see what they create.”
The recipients of the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant are as follows:
- Jiheh Ritterling, Spicy Rice Cake Studio – ISLAND_NAME_HERE
- Urooj Iqbal, Playdew – Lost Twins II
- Arka Tu, Queensguard Games – Castle of Glas
- Runyu Zhong, Icetoad Studio – AiliA
- Lenophie, Bunstack – Paquerette Down the Bunburrows
- Youssef Tobah, Flip Alive Games – DokiToki: Time Slows Down When You’re In Love
- Breogán Hackett, Blindbug Interactive – Catacomb Creeper: Re-Vined Edition
- Rowan Wood, Solo Dev – Timeclone
- Ryo Kurama, Notan – Cutting Edge
- Glen Henry, Spritewrench – On the Perils of Parrots
- Samarth Hattangady, Chapliboy – Konkan Coast Pirate Solutions
- Mohammed Al Najjar, RD interactive – Hackshot
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