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The path to success in the world of design and software development, video games, and digital products is filled with challenges and unique opportunities. In 2012, Press Start embarked on a transformative journey by winning the Colombian Crea Digital Call, securing 100 million Colombian pesos (COP) to develop the exciting video game “Aimie and the Forest of Shadows.” This experience marked the beginning of our story with Crea Digital and opened doors that led us to establish ourselves as an influential team in this thrilling field.

The Seed of Success: “Aimie and the Forest of Shadows”: Our journey started with a victory that went beyond funding. The Crea Digital Call provided us with the opportunity to bring the ambitious project “Aimie and the Forest of Shadows” to life.

“Aimie” was the abbreviation in English for “Artificial Intelligence for Mobile Interactive Devices.” It was a video game designed for the psychomotor development of children, including a story and educational games. The goal was for the child to learn or reinforce educational content through mini-games. Aimie was on vacation with her father in her hometown when she became intrigued by a book of fantasy animals. This led her to venture into a forest and discover a whole new world, hidden and filled with exciting adventures.

Thanks to the prize obtained, we not only brought our dream to life but also learned to effectively manage our resources and carry out organized development. The success of the game was measured not only in terms of gameplay but also in the valuable experience we accumulated.

Although the project had a relatively short lifespan after its launch, it allowed us to understand, from the early days of Press Start, how the world of public resources functions and how these resources incentivize the gaming industry by giving projects like ours the opportunity to reach the publication of a video game and validate the hypotheses previously held by the team. All of this without the risk of doing so with borrowed money or private investments, as it adds another layer of complexity to a project that is already complex in itself.

From Winner to Mentor: Contributing to the Community: Our commitment to Crea Digital didn’t stop with our initial victory. During the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, our Manager, Luis Parra, took on the role of mentor for the video games category. In this capacity, he helped other applicants structure their marketing proposals and plan successful exit strategies for their projects. This mentoring role allowed us to share our knowledge and experience, contributing to the growth and maturity of the community of game designers and developers.

In addition to this, as a company, we were able to see how a Colombian Government initiative like the Crea Digital Call has had a lasting impact regardless of the ruling government. This is highly valuable, as it has contributed to the creation and growth of the country’s gaming industry, which was very small in 2012, and at that time it wasn’t certain that it would grow in the way it has over all these years.

Highlighted Mentorship: Luis Parra played a crucial role in collaborating with various teams in formulating effective business strategies. From the video game “Boom Fighters” by Cocodrilo Dog to “Malu y el Camino a Yerbabuena” by Shift Active SAS, passing through “Beat the Heat” by Blazing Soft and “The Kogui Magic” by Creative Family SAS, each project received the necessary guidance to reach its maximum potential. The mentorships became bridges to a deep understanding of the industry and successful marketing.

With nearly 14 years of experience, Press Start has had the opportunity to work with different gaming industries and monetization models in various countries. This has been an excellent opportunity to share and pass on this knowledge to the teams that Luis Parra mentored.

A New Dimension: From Mentor to Judge: Our relationship with Crea Digital took another leap in July 2023 when Luis Parra was selected as a judge in the video games category. Evaluating 40 projects and collaborating with other judges to select the winners was an enriching and challenging experience. This opportunity not only allowed us to contribute to the selection process but also provided us with a broader view of the diversity and potential of the creative community.

Our journey with the Colombian Crea Digital Call has been one of learning, growth, and contribution. From the exciting beginning with “Aimie and the Forest of Shadows” to the mentoring role and, finally, the position as a judge, we have experienced various facets of the digital ecosystem. We are proud to have solidified our team as leaders in game design and development, while also contributing to the flourishing of talent within the community.

Crea Digital has not only been a source of funding for us as a company but also a means to establish meaningful partnerships and a driving force for the advancement of digital creativity in Colombia.