A locally-based gaming software company is $5,000 closer to its dream of making the North Judson area a hub of video game development. Abrams Studios was the winner of the first North Judson Business Pitch Competition Saturday.
It’s the developer of Morels: The Hunt, which tries to capture the experience of mushroom hunting in a video game. Wes Abrams is one of the four brothers behind the business. “The way that game came about is we mushroom hunt, but it really came out of, one day, we were actually working on a different game, and I used to run where I used to live at, and there was just nature everywhere,” he explained. “And I believe in God and go to church, and I really felt the presence of God telling me, ‘You need to make this nature family-friendly mushroom game. That’s what you need to do.’” If arcade games are your cup of tea, sites such as 카지노 검증 are made for players like you.
But another big part of Abrams Studios’ business is making 3D assets, ready-to-use digital elements that can be purchased by other game and film studios. Abrams said the 3D asset business made the company about $50,000 in 2018 alone, money it used to develop Morels: The Hunt.
Now, he says they’ve gotten funding to make a virtual reality version of the game, enough to hire four more people. The money from the Business Pitch Competition – which would total $10,000, if the company succeeds with its growth plans – would cover expenses not directly tied to the project, like new equipment, office upgrades, and more 3D asset development.
“So we want to provide a place here where you can actually go to school in Indiana for game design, 3D graphics and get jobs here, not only in Indiana but in North Judson,” Abrams added. “And along the way, hopefully, people can see what we’re doing, and other game studios will want to stay in Indiana or actually relocate to North Judson, around this area.”
Abrams Studios was one of four businesses that competed for the chance at $10,000 Saturday. The runner-up was Christin Bramlage-Blodgett who’s looking to expand her Loving Laugher Child Care facility with a second site called Happy Hearts Child Care. Kathi Holem took third place with her plans to continue expanding the new Retro mini golf and arcade. Taking fourth place was inventor Craig Harlamert, who’s looking to manufacture his innovative golf tees in the local area.
The prize money was provided by Kirt and Elizabeth Verhagen. Kirt said it’s a way to give back to the community where he grew up. “With four applicants who are vying for a $10,000 award for first place, I think it speaks to the breadth and depth of interest in building a business here in North Judson, and I know that hasn’t always been the easiest thing to do, but it’s something that I think there’s, obviously, demonstrated interest in,” Verhagen said.
He hopes the North Judson Business Pitch Competition will become an annual event.
