Digital Game Development Grant - 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, 2024 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. Any amendments made after the fact will be posted here:

• No changes to date.

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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.

Budget Backup (yes/no)

The applicant has included budget backup for more than 50% of line items over $500.

Project Financing (yes/no)

The project financial structure in the project budget template is complete. The applicant has listed pending or confirmed funding sources for the remaining 50%+ of the project budget that Creative Saskatchewan does not support.

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.

Resumes, CVs or bios have been provided for all Saskatchewan travellers (yes, no, or not applicable)

Industry-Relevant Resumes, Bios and CVs (yes/no)

An industry-relevant resume, bio and/or CV has been uploaded for the applicant or applicant company.

Phase Two: Application Material Assessment

Design and Technical Elements /20

Assessors will be evaluating your creative submission based on the following categories:

• Design elements
• Programming
• User experience
• Interactivity

Visual design, concept design, storyboards, etc. must be uploaded 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:

• Distribution modes (diversity and relevance of each model)
• Relevance of promotional activities
• Level of interest by market channel partners
• Quality of the self-distribution plan

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

Fit 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.

Industry-relevant resumes or bios for team members must be included in the Upload files tab.

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

Studio /4

Describe the experience and achievements of your studio and the commercial success of previous projects.

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 following:

• Proposed budget
• Financial structure risk
• Platform fit and feasibility
• Project completion risk

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

Total – /50

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BONUS – Budget and Financing /5

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 /6

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 (North of Prince Albert), rural, or small urban community (outside of Regina and 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.

Two bonus points will be awarded if a key team member identifies 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 (North of Prince Albert), rural, or small urban community (outside of Regina and Saskatoon);
• Person with a disability or disabled; and/or
• LGBTQIA2S+

A key team member is defined as a Saskatchewan resident who has significant influence over the creative, production, marketing plan and/or business plan and is compensated in the project budget at $500 or more.

The Diversity Declaration form, available on the Grant Management System’s Templates & Additional Materials page, must be completed and submitted to score these bonus points. This criterion is assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan.