Video game developers here will soon have another avenue for their games to reach the world, complete with the possibility of funding from the Media Development Authority.

On Monday morning, Japanese gaming giant Nintendo and video games and digital media university DigiPen launched the DigiPen Game Studios (DGS) which aims to discover and publish new video games from Singapore.

Initially, DGS will work with third-party developers here to create and publish games for the Nintendo 3DS system, with the possibility of expansion to other gaming systems in the future.

Later this year, DigiPen Singapore will organise its first DigiPen Game Conference for local developers to submit their game concepts for evaluation by DGS. If selected, the proposals will be developed and sold to a global audience through the Nintendo e-shop.

Mr Jason Chu, chief operating officer of DigiPen International said selected game develoers will get mentorship and assistance from DigiPen to develop their games for the 3DS platform. He added that he hopes to be able to select 10 games from Singapore by next year.

Nintendo will also put their marketing muscle behind the selected games.

DGS is supported by the Media Development Authority. Angeline Poh, assistant chief executive at MDA said: "DGS will provide our aspiring game developers with new opportunities to realise their dreams of making great games.

The Straits Times understands that the MDA may support selected games with funding.

ginlee@sph.com.sg