Flying Sheep Studios, a subsidiary of iCandy Interactive, will receive €1.1 million funding from the German Government for its metaverse game, Star Life. The funding comes directly from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The developers plan to make Star Life accessible from any web browser on any device. Additionally, the metaverse MMO will not require any downloads or installations.
“Proud to announce that our subsidiary @flyingsheeple has been awarded USD 1.2 million in funding by the German government for upcoming metaverse game Star Life,” iCandy announced in a recent Tweet.
Proud to announce that our subsidiary @flyingsheeple has been awarded $1.2 million USD in funding by the German government for upcoming metaverse game Star Life!
— iCandy Interactive Limited (ASX:ICI) (@iCandyInteract) March 20, 2023
Find out more about this exciting news here: https://t.co/mWvAZT2Jc1
Government support
iCandy predicts Star Life will cost about €2.3 million to fully develop. The €1.1 million funding from the German Government comes from a fund created to help local game developers become more competitive in the industry. Funds will be distributed monthly over a two-year period, with select amounts going towards specific aspects of the game’s development.
Flying Sheep Studios is working with four industry veterans from its parent company, Renke Bahlmann, Frank Reitberger, Daniel Schemann and Nina Kiel, to develop the upcoming metaverse game. According to iCandy, Kiel is one of Germany’s top game diversity experts and joins Star Life as head of diversity and inclusion. Bahlmann will act as the lead game designer. Likewise, Reitberger, who has two decades of experience in the industry, will serve as the lead 3D developer. Finally, iCandy’s Daniel Schemann, who previously worked on the MMO Earthrise, is Star Life’s head of back-end development.
The upcoming MMO will focus on community-driven experiences that prioritise socialisation. Eventually, the developers plan to host concerts and other events within the social game. The metaverse game aims to incorporate blockchain items and NFTs to give players more agency over their virtual belongings. Additionally, iCandy promises that players will easily be able to easily transfer and use their virtual items on various platforms.
Star Life promises to be a free-to-play experience that promotes diversity. Players will be able to shop, craft items and attend virtual events.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
