ACMI Microgames Commission

Calling all Australian game developers and artists: we want to hear your ideas for a microgame to be shown and played at ACMI during the run of a new major exhibition exploring the playable worlds of videogames, from September 2025 to February 2026.

We’re offering fees between $5,000 and $10,000 for individuals or teams to build browser-based games that demonstrate:

• exciting, expansive world-building
• interesting relationships between player and maker
• playful responses to the context of ACMI as a museum of screen culture.

If successful, your microgame will be installed in public spaces and exhibitions across ACMI for thousands of people to see and play while visiting the space. The game will also enter into the ACMI collection and be playable outside the museum.

Whether you have a microgame already in development or an idea for a brand-new microgame – all are eligible for proposal. We anticipate these microgames to be built on existing platforms, and players should be able to participate solo or in groups. Don’t forget, your game must be appropriate for public spaces and a museum environment.

Ready to pitch? Read through the FAQ plus full eligibility requirements and selection criteria, and submit your proposal before Tue 5 May 2025.

Good luck!

Eligibility

We encourage applications from First Nations People, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, Deaf and Disabled people and people from the LGBTIQA+ community.

You must be an Australian game developer or artist to apply for this commission. To be classified as an Australian artist, you must either be:

• born in Australia
• an Australian citizen
• living in Australia as an approved temporary resident for a minimum of two year, and/or a permanent resident of Australia.

The maker may be living in Australia or overseas as long as at least one of the above stated criteria are demonstrable. Where the game is produced by collaboration, no less than fifty percent of the contributors must meet the above criteria.

Applicants will need to provide:

• a description of the microgame
• a list of all the creatives and collaborators working on the microgame
• a pitch deck that outlines concept, playable elements, visual treatment and design elements
• examples of previous work
• a one-page CV
• a budget for the microgame
• a production timeline with milestones.

Selection Criteria 

Games will be chosen by the ACMI selection committee, on the following criteria: 

• Exciting, compelling world-building
• Interesting relationships between player and maker
• Easily understood by a wide variety of visitors in terms of game design, playability and mechanics
• Duration and the game experience
• Playful, thoughtful responses to the context of ACMI as a museum of screen culture
• Technical viability
• Previous experience of applicant(s)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you define a microgame?

We define a microgame as a short player experience - somewhere in the realm of 5-15 minutes playtime depending on the particulars of the game itself. The game could feature multiple paths / increases in difficulty or other mechanisms to increase replayability - again dependent on the design of the microgame. It could be 2D, 3D or even text based - we are open to a broad range of possibilities.

What exactly do the successful recipients receive?

Fees of between $5,000 and $10,000 to build a browser-based microgame. Games to be available to be played at ACMI for the duration of the Game Worlds exhibition (September 2025 – February 2026). The game will subsequently become part of the ACMI collection.

What should I include in the budget?

You must ensure your budget realistically covers the cost of making the project and paying contributors appropriately, as there is no capacity for an increase in the final sum awarded.

Where will the microgames be on display?

The games will be on display in public spaces and exhibitions across ACMI. The games will also enter into the ACMI collection and be playable outside the museum.

Will there be another funding round?

No. This is the only funding round.

How many proposals can I submit?

Applicants can only submit one proposal. You can however, submit one application as the principal developer and be included as a collaborator on another developer's proposal.

When does the project need to be completed?

Prototypes for testing need to be ready by August, with the final game completed to go live in September 2025.

Who will be assessing my application?

Applications will be assessed by a selection committee comprised of ACMI staff.

How will my application be assessed? 

Games will be assessed by a selection committee comprised of ACMI staff, on the following criteria:

• Exciting, compelling world-building
• Interesting relationships between player and maker
• Easily understood by a wide variety of visitors in terms of game design, playability and mechanics
• Duration and the game experience
• Playful, thoughtful responses to the context of ACMI as a museum of screen culture
• Technical viability
• Previous experience of applicant(s)

Can I get feedback before I submit?  

The ACMI selection committee can provide general advice on a project idea, but they will not read applications before they are submitted.

One of the criteria is "exciting, expansive world-building". Could you elaborate on what you are looking for?

Whilst the microgame itself would be a short player experience, we are looking for games that craft engaging compelling worlds for that player experience. This world building may incorporate a variety of game design elements, including:

• Narrative / dialogue / contextual world building
• Graphics / art design
• Sound design
• Game mechanics / gameplay loop / design

Are there examples of games or interactive experiences that you feel embody the kind of work you're looking for?

There are lots of microgames we love at ACMI - here's a few we can recommend that showcase interesting and different world-building techniques:

• Int. Spaceship - Night - Jordan Prosser and Nathan Harrison
• Under A Star Called Sun - Cecile Richard
• The Midnight Park - Olivia Haines
• Station Street - Andy Brophy and Olivia Haines
• The Journey to the Party - Grace Bruxner
• Diapers and Dark Ones - Nick Loki and Chloe Kilroy

I’m unfamiliar with creating a pitch deck in this context and wondered if you could give clarification and/or examples for each of the sections: playable elements, visual treatment and design elements.

The pitch deck is a cohesive way for you to outline and clarify the various aspects of your game proposal.

Game / playable elements describes how the game operates – what type of game is it? How does the player interact? What is the core gameplay loop? Narrative games may contain an outline of themes, characters and locations.

Visual treatment and design elements showcases the look and feel of the game. It could include concept art, character / environmental sketches, mood boards, UX / UI mockups, typography and text treatments.

A micro game I have previously made for a local event seems like it would suit this exhibition perfectly. I was wondering if I could apply with the plan of using the budget to expand the world and game, or if you are looking for new IPs?

You can use the commission to expand an existing game.

As part of the conditions of commission/acquisition into the Collection ACMI will expect to have a licence to use the work in perpetuity. No question of IP transfer of course, that remains squarely with the creator, but that ACMI can use it and make it available through our programs etc ongoing/worldwide and royalty free.

What does it mean for a game to enter ACMI's collection?

When ACMI collects a game, it means we have decided it should be preserved for future generations. The creator retain the full rights to their microgame - but ACMI will collect a copy of the playable game, and a copy of the source code so that it can be preserved in our archive. It also means that ACMI has permission to exhibit the game on an ongoing basis, in other events and exhibitions. As part of the collecting process, we will also meet with you to record your intentions for how the game should be preserved, and any parameters around displaying it in future.

The collections agreement also has an exclusivity period - so while the microgames are being exhibited at ACMI during Game Worlds (Sep 19 2025 – Mar 29 2026), you can't show your game elsewhere, including releasing it online. After March 29 2026, you are totally free to release it, exhibit it at other venues, or do whatever you like with it, so long as ACMI are listed as the commissioning body in the credits. If a really good opportunity comes up during the exclusivity period - don't worry. Just email us and we can work something out!

What control methods would you support?  The game is to be browser-based, and playable at the museum.  Touch screen/input seems a likely one, but would keyboard, mouse or gamepads also be accepted?  Or maybe a camera or a microphone as an input device?

The game will be shared through browser link, so the devices the game will be running on will vary greatly, a good assumption would be for your game to be playable on a modern smartphone browser (released in the last 3 to 5 years) The game can request access to the user devices microphone and camera input as necessary, in line with web standards. It is unlikely that there will be access to any other periperhals (eg gamepad, keyboard etc) as the games are intended to be played on visitors own smart devices.

Key dates

Fri 4 April 2025 Applications open
Mon 5 May 2025 at 5pm Applications close
Mon 26 May 2025 Applicants notified of outcome
Sun 1 June 2025 Project commences
August 2025 Prototype delivery deadline
September 2025 Microgame delivery deadline