Digital Game Development Grant - Pre-Production Stream - Assessment Criteria

The Digital Game Development Grant supports eligible Saskatchewan applicants in the production of innovative and original digital games and eLearning properties.

The Assessment Criteria approved on April 1, 2026 for the 2026-27 Fiscal Year. Any amendments made after the fact will be posted here:

• May 1, 2026 – Under BONUS – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, it was clarified that someone who lives in a northern, rural, or small urban community is defined as living greater than 50 KM outside of Regina or Saskatoon.

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Note: Applications to this program will only be assessed with other applicants from the same stream.

Phase One: Application Completeness

Applications must meet all Phase One criteria to be deemed complete and move on to the assessment panel for review. These criteria are assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan staff.

The Budget (yes/no)

A complete budget (using the Creative Saskatchewan budget template) has been uploaded to the application. The project cashflow sheet (included in the Budget & Travel Itinerary template) must be completed. The project cashflow sheet (included in the Budget & Travel Itinerary template) must be completed. Budget templates are updated annually, and applicants are encouraged to double check that they are using the most up to date template.

Project Financing (yes/no)

A completed project financing structure listing pending or confirmed funding sources for the remaining 50%+ of the project budget that Creative Saskatchewan does not support has been included in the application.

Expense Eligibility (yes/no)

The majority of project expenses are eligible according to program guidelines. If ineligible expenses exceed 50% of the total project budget, the whole application will be deemed ineligible. 

The Travel Itinerary (yes, no, or not applicable)

If travel is part of the project budget, a complete travel itinerary (using the Creative Saskatchewan travel itinerary template) has been uploaded to the application.

Budget Line Support Documentation (yes/no)

Budget line support documentation should be provided for all line items $500 and over. If support documentation has not been provided for more than 50% of line items $500 or more, the application will be deemed ineligible.

Examples of budget line support documentation include:

• Estimates or invoices from vendors and service providers
• A calculated breakdown of applicant or staff labour (#of hours x $rate = total)
• An email, text message, price list, or website screenshot from the vendor or service provider confirming their rate.

Phase Two: Application Material Assessment

Creative, Design and Technical Elements /20

Describe the working core concepts for the project’s creative, design, and technical elements. Outline the pre-production activities will you be undertaking to further develop these elements.

Note: The game’s creative, design and technical elements are not expected to be finalized at the time of application.

Assessors will be evaluating your working creative submission’s elements based on the following categories:

• Design elements 

• Gameplay features and interactivity 

• Programming 

• User experience 

• Visual art 

• Music and sound (if applicable) 

• Story/game narrative (if applicable) 

Supporting documentation (i.e. working visual design, concept art and design, storyboards, drafted pre-production materials, etc.) demonstrating the current conceptualization of these elements must be uploaded to the Additional Information section under the Upload Files tab to receive points.

This criterion is assessed by external reviewers based upon the rubric below

Marketing Strategy /10

Provide a marketing and promotional strategy. Make sure to include:

• Early-stage distribution or self-distribution plans
  • The platform(s) you plan to publish your game on
  • Proposed pre-production business planning to be completed (if applicable)
• Planned promotional activities and their relevance
  • Unique selling proposition(s)
  • Market comparison (how does this game compare to games with similar genres, features, art styles, etc.?)
  • Target market demographics and location
  • Target market reach (how will your target market discover your product?)
• Proposed pitch materials to be completed, and the industry partnerships, collaborations, or other opportunities you plan to target with them (if applicable).

This needs to be a project-specific plan and more specific than a general marketing plan. Include details of how this project will allow you to grow your market and how you plan to reach them. The workplan should realistically inform the timeline and the budget.

This criterion is assessed by external reviewers based upon the rubric below:

Alignment and Skillset of Project Personnel /6

Describe the experience and skillsets of hired project personnel. Please include:

• • 1. Examples of relevant past projects of a similar nature completed by your project personnel
    2. Brief explanation of why you’ve selected each team member for their role in this project
    3. Evidence of related professional training and industry experience for you, your company, or your team.

This criterion is assessed by external reviewers based on the rubric below: 

Studio /4

Describe the brand identity, creative vision and business goals of the studio, including how these reflect the studio’s priorities and future direction. This may include:

• Genre(s)
• Artistic style(s)
• Mission statement
• Link to studio website
• Values

How does the project the studio is applying for align with this vision?

This criterion is assessed by external reviewers.

Level of Saskatchewan Spend /2

Saskatchewan spend must be clearly indicated in project budget and CV, resume, and/or bio uploads in order to receive points.

This criterion is assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan based upon the rubric below:

Financial Viability of Project /8

Describe the project’s financial stability in relation to the size of the project. How will you finance the project and cash flow at each phase? Assessors will analyze the quality and feasibility of the following:

• Proposed budget and cashflow
• Revenue and other returns on investment. This may include some or all of the following:
  • Expected revenue. Include the calculations and context you used to come up with your expected revenue and where you have pulled these projections and historical numbers from. What revenue do you expect and why do you expect this revenue?
  • Expected increase in external traffic to studio’s website, socials, and game page.
  • Expected increase in newsletter subscriptions, or platform wishlists.
  • Jobs or contract positions created for Saskatchewan residents.
  • Industry partnerships, collaborations, or other opportunities expected to be secured as a result of this project.

This criterion is assessed by external reviewers based upon the rubric below:

Total /50

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BONUS – Budget and Financing /5

Will the project be financed by an organization or individual other than the applicant? Projects with third-party investment* will automatically receive the following points. Funding agreements need to be uploaded in the Upload Files tab to receive these bonus points.

*Tip: Not sure what is considered a third party investment? See our General Program Guideline Glossary or reach out to a Creative Saskatchewan team member.

BONUS – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility /4

Four bonus points will be awarded if you or the majority of your company owners/band stakeholder members (music)/collective members identify as any of the following:

• Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis);
• Person from a racialized group;
• a Newcomer to Canada;
• Someone who lives in a northern, rural, or small urban community (greater than 50 KM outside of Regina or Saskatoon);
• Person with a disability or disabled; and/or
• LGBTQIA2S+

For companies, collectives, and music bands, a minimum 50% of the stakeholders must meet this criteria to receive the bonus points.   

By completing this table, you are declaring confidentially that you identify accurately as part of the communities and identities specified. This information is not shared with external assessors.