WINGS opens new funding paths for indie PC games

Three forms of investment

The organization is soliciting pitches for projects with a budget of $500,000 or less, including marketing expenses. Developers looking to pitch a project with a budget exceeding that total will need a confirmed finance plan if they hope to move forward.

WINGS is currently offering three forms of investment: white label, self-publishing, and finishing funds. As noted in an FAQ, developers retain "full creative and business control" of their project irrespective of which option they choose.

• White label: Geared towards teams who aren't ready to self-publish or simply don't want to. It provides support in the form of go-to-market strategy, paid advertising, content creation, business development, and more.
• Self-publishing: WINGS covers development, marketing, and other costs while providing a complete go-to-market strategy. Those who select this option must be prepared to take responsibility for the execution of marketing, QA, localization, and more.
• Finishing funds: Provide teams close to release with a cash injection to help them cross the finish line. This is the option for those with a budget of $100,000 or less and the ability to launch within three to six months.

"Every game is different and requires different support, so we prioritize flexibility and the right deal for everyone above fitting perfectly into one of our models," reads the FAQ. "No matter what, all teams get a full go-to-market plan covering production, business development, marketing, post-release strategies and more."

No application rounds

CEO Astrid Refstrup stressed that developers can pitch WINGS whenever they please—no need to worry about application rounds opening or closing. The organization is always on the lookout for games that have commercial potential.

"The easiest way [to pitch] is through our online pitch form. It's a common misunderstanding that we have application rounds, similar to grants. But it's important to us to make clear that WINGS makes investments for profit—we invest in the best games that we believe have commercial potential," she added.

Long-term sustainability

Refstrup feels there are now more investors interested in supporting specific models, genres, or production timescales—which might be why some developers are hearing the word 'no' more than usual. WINGS welcomes all new initiatives and funds that strive for fairer, more transparent models.

"Making the right investments means we can continue investing in even more women and gender-marginalized developers," said Refstrup. "It's really about long term sustainability and success for present and future developers."