Budget & Travel Itinerary Example – Digital Game Development Grant

Table of Contents show

This is a sample scenario and example budget and itinerary. It is intended to help guide grant applicants on how to fill out this section of our application process.

Step-by-Step Guide

The Game

Fashionopolis: You’re a fashion designer building your brand from a tiny studio to global runways. Travel through fashion capitals like New York, Paris, Tokyo, and Milan, unlock fabrics and styles, and compete in design challenges. Think RPG meets Project Runway.

The Company

Velvet Pixel: A boutique game development studio dedicated to blending fashion, fantasy, and gameplay. The founders are sisters Betsey and Vivienne Sui.

Betsey, Head System Architect/Designer, born stylist, background in fashion design
Vivienne, Coder/Engineer and Graphic Designer

Since incorporating Velvet Pixel 10 years ago, they have produced 5 games, including ThreadQuest: Couture Chronicles, the game for design and exploring magical style realms that was a huge hit among gamers, artists, and fashion lovers alike. Today, Velvet Pixel Studios is known for its empowering characters, inclusive design tools, and whimsical worlds where fashion is more than just fabric—it’s artistic expression.

Steam page: steampowered.com/app/XXXXX/Fashionopolis
Official website: https://FashionopolisGame.ca

The Team

Betsey will serve as System Architect/Designer for the project
Vivienne will undertake all graphic design work and marketing coordination
Hired Coder/Programmer: Rhett Render
Hired Sound Designer/Engineer: Sonja Sonic

Marketing Plan

Promotional Video by Glimmer Reel
Design and Manufacturing of Promotional Materials (for online contesting):
- Mini sketchbooks (50)
- Digital Dress-Up Cards: QR codes on glossy cards with character bios that unlock exclusive in-game outfits and accessories (200)
- Fashion Fortune Cards: Like tarot cards but themed around fashion, which reveal an in-game bonus (200)
- Pop-Up Paper Dolls: DIY kits w/characters and outfits (100)
- Designer Doll Pens: Reminiscent of troll pens that feature game characters
- ThreadHead, Mini Muse, Penny Chic, Couture Candy (50)
- Online Advertising campaign

Online Advertising Calculations

A table shows a breakdown of marketing costs. There is a column for which platform was used, the type of ad it ran, the cost, the target audience, and the target region.

Expense Calculations

A. Concept/Design/Prototype Development

System Architect/Designer(s): Betsey Sui, $10,000.00 (200 hours x 50/hr)
Graphic Design: Vivienne Sui, $1,000.00

B. Design/Development Team Fees

Coder/Programmer(s): Rhett Render, $24,000.00
Graphic Design: Vivienne Sui, $1,500.00
Sound Design/Engineering Music: Sonja Sonic, $8,268.00 (7,800 + 468 PST)

E. Marketing Expenses

Online Advertising campaign: $400.00 (Facebook $100, Instagram $100, YouTube $200)
Promotional Video by Glimmer Reel $2,650.00 ($2,500 + PST)
Design of promotional materials (for online contesting): $500.00 (5 items x $100 each)
Manufacturing of promo materials (for contesting): $1,180.00 (1,050 + shipping + PST)
Shipping of Promotional Materials (for online contesting): $150.00 (10 prizes at $15 each)

Project Timeline

January 1-March 31, 2026: Concept/Design/Prototype Development
- System Architect/Designer(s): Betsey Sui (200 hours)
- Graphic Design: Vivienne Sui
April 1-May 31, 2026: Design/Development
- Coder/Programmer(s): Rhett Render
- Graphic Design: Vivienne Sui
- Sound Design/Engineering Music: Sonja Sonic
May 15-June 15, 2026: Marketing Preparations:
- Production of Promotional Video by Glimmer Reel-Design and Manufacturing of promo materials for Online Contesting
- June 15, 2026: Product Launch!
- June 15-30, 2026: Online Advertising Campaign and Online Contesting (Shipping)
- July 1-Sep 30, 2026: In-House expenses and Reporting

Payment Timeline

Money received by Mar 31, 2026:
- Creative Saskatchewan Payment 1/3: $16,273.44
- Velvet Pixel Contribution: $9,622.40
Expenses Due May 31, 2026:
- Coder/Programmer(s): Rhett Render, $24,000.00
- Sound Design/Engineering Music: Sonja Sonic, $8,268.00
Creative Saskatchewan Interim Report to be Submitted for May 31, 2026
Expenses Due June 15, 2026:
- Production of Promotional Video by Glimmer Reel, $2,650.00
- Manufacturing of promo materials by Pete’s Treasures & Trophies, $1,180.00
Money received by June 30, 2026:
- Creative Saskatchewan Payment 2/3: $5,424.48
Expenses Due June 30, 2026:
- Online Advertising Campaign, $400.00
- Online Contest Shipping, $150.00
Creative Saskatchewan Final Report Due by Sep 30, 2026
Money received by October 31, 2026:
- Creative Saskatchewan Payment 3/3: $5,424.48
In-House expenses to be paid after October 31, 2026:
- System Architect and Designer: Betsey Sui, $10,000.00
- Graphic Design by Vivienne Sui: Concept and Development, $1,000.00, Game Design $1,500.00, and Promotional Materials $500.00
- Grant Admin Fee: $5,000.00