GameDev.tv Indie Fund Terms and Conditions
These Indie Game Dev Fund Terms and Conditions (“Fund Terms”) govern your participation in the GameDev.tv Indie Game Dev Fund (“Fund”) and form a binding agreement between you and EmbraceIt Limited (company number 05194402) of 10 Riverside, Framlingham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, IP13 9AG, United Kingdom (“GameDev.tv,” “we,” “our,” or “us”).
By applying to or participating in the Fund, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age (or the age of legal majority where you reside) and that you understand and agree to these Fund Terms. If you are entering into these Fund Terms on behalf of a company or other legal entity, you represent and warrant that you have authority to bind that entity, and all references to “you” and “your” will refer to that entity.
1. General Overview
The GameDev.tv Indie Game Dev Fund is a discretionary funding initiative operated by GameDev.tv.
- The Fund is not a competition, contest, or lottery.
- Applications are reviewed and selected entirely at our discretion.
- Submitting an application does not guarantee funding, feedback, or selection.
- Purchasing any GameDev.tv product or course does not increase your chances of being selected.
2. Eligibility
To be eligible to apply, you must meet all of the following:
- You are 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
- You are actively developing a game project at the time of applying.
- The game is not a long-released or completed project. Previously released demos, early access builds, or recent releases may be acceptable at our discretion.
- You have the legal right to submit the project and accept funds on behalf of the team or studio.
- You are able to receive funds via a valid payment method, such as PayPal or bank wire transfer.
- You are not located in a country or region where we are legally or practically unable to send funds (see section 12).
GameDev.tv reserves the right to request verification of eligibility at any point.
3. Selection & Discretion
- All funding decisions are made solely by GameDev.tv.
- We may select applicants based on any criteria we choose, including (but not limited to): project potential, alignment with the GameDev.tv community, development stage, or available funding.
- We reserve the right to fund multiple projects, one project, or no projects at all.
- We may modify, pause, or discontinue the Fund at any time.
- We may decline to provide detailed reasoning for funding decisions.
- If your application is not selected, you are welcome to apply again in a future round (if the Fund is still running and your project is still eligible).
4. Funding Details
- Any funds awarded are provided as a one-time payment.
- This funding does not constitute a publishing agreement, a marketing agreement, a porting agreement, or an ongoing financial commitment.
- GameDev.tv does not acquire ownership, revenue share, or IP rights in your game as part of this Fund.
You remain fully responsible for the development, release, marketing, and distribution of your game.
5. Use of Funds
- Recipients agree to use the funds in good faith to support the development of the submitted game project.
- GameDev.tv does not require detailed accounting, but we may occasionally request high-level updates or confirmation that development is ongoing.
- You are responsible for any taxes, fees, or reporting obligations that arise from receiving funds in your country. If you are unsure, please seek independent tax or legal advice.
6. Contributor Acknowledgment & Credit (Required)
As a condition of receiving funds, recipients agree to credit GameDev.tv within the game. This credit must:
- Clearly acknowledge GameDev.tv’s support.
- Appear in a reasonable location (such as credits, acknowledgments, or a supporters section).
- Remain in the released version of the game where reasonably possible.
Exact wording and placement may be flexible, but must be approved by GameDev.tv if requested.
7. Developer Contributions Back to GameDev.tv
In exchange for funding, recipients agree to provide at least one form of reasonable contribution back to GameDev.tv. The specific contribution(s) will be mutually agreed and may include, but are not limited to:
- A blog post or written update for the GameDev.tv website discussing development progress after receiving the funds.
- Participation in a recorded video interview with GameDev.tv, which may be used for future content, marketing, or educational purposes.
- Providing a reasonable number of free game keys upon release that GameDev.tv may use for giveaways, promotions, or community events.
The exact format, timing, and scope of these contributions are intended to be flexible and developer-friendly.
8. Content Usage & Permissions
By participating, you grant GameDev.tv permission to:
- Reference your game, studio, and submitted materials.
- Share approved content (screenshots, footage, interviews, quotes) related to the Fund.
- Use this content across GameDev.tv platforms for promotional or educational purposes.
You retain full ownership of your intellectual property. We will not claim IP rights in your game through this Fund.
9. No Employment or Partnership
Participation in the Fund does not create any employment, partnership, joint venture, or agency relationship between you and GameDev.tv.
10. Data & Privacy
- We will use the information you submit to review your application, manage the Fund, and contact you about your application or award.
- We may share your application internally within the GameDev.tv team and with trusted advisors involved in the selection process.
- Your personal data will be handled in line with our main site Privacy Policy. Please refer to that policy for details on how we store and protect your information.
11. Claiming Funds & Payment Process
If selected to receive funding, applicants must:
- Confirm acceptance of the award within 30 days of being notified by GameDev.tv.
- Provide a valid invoice and complete payment details within 45 days of notification.
Invoices must be issued by the individual or entity receiving the funds and must include all information reasonably required to process payment (for example: legal name, address, tax details where required, and bank or PayPal details).
If the funding is not claimed within this timeframe, or if we are unable to complete payment due to missing information, GameDev.tv reserves the right to:
- Withdraw the funding offer;
- Reallocate the funds to another project; or
- Cancel the award with no further obligation.
Payment will only be issued once all required documentation has been received and approved.
12. Country & Payment Restrictions
Due to legal restrictions and payment-provider rules:
- We may be unable to send funds to certain countries or regions that are subject to sanctions, export controls, or similar restrictions (for example, some territories listed by authorities such as OFAC).
- We also rely on the supported country lists and rules of our payment partners (such as Stripe, PayPal, Wise, or traditional banks). If they cannot process a payment to your country, we may be unable to fund you.
Because these rules change over time, we do not list every restricted country here. If, after selection, we discover that we are unable to legally or practically send funds to you:
- We may need to withdraw or cancel the award; and
- We may choose another recipient instead.
We will always act in good faith, but we must follow applicable laws and payment-provider requirements.
13. Changes to the Fund and These Terms
- We may update or modify these Fund Terms from time to time.
- The version published on the GameDev.tv website at the time you apply will normally apply to your application.
- If we make any significant changes that affect selected recipients, we will try to let those recipients know directly.
14. Agreement
- By submitting an application, you confirm that all information provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
- You have read, understood, and agree to these Fund Terms.
- You understand that funding decisions are discretionary and final.
- You understand that receiving funds may have tax or legal implications in your country, and that you are responsible for managing those.
Questions?
If you have any questions about these terms, please contact: