Jest Games Fund aims to assist studios in developing games specifically tailored for the RCS messaging ecosystem

Jest messaging games — Image credit: Jest

The pioneering marketplace, Jest, catering specifically to messaging applications utilizing SMS and RCS protocols, has introduced the Jest Games Fund. This initiative aims to provide financial backing for studios creating games for the RCS messaging network to be launched on their platform.

Participants of this program can retain 90% of the revenue with the benefit of no equity or intellectual property transfers, as Jest covers all text delivery expenses entirely.

The funding is allocated across three levels: Explore, with an investment of $40,000; Scale, offering up to $200,000; and Flagship, capable of funding up to $1 million for scaling successful games. Each level includes resources for user acquisition, onboarding processes, and direct support provided through a dedicated Slack channel.

An additional feature of the fund is the provision of "onboardings," which Jest characterizes as brief interactive experiences similar to playable ads, designed specifically for messaging games hosted by Jest.

Jest explained, "Upon acceptance, we will develop these onboarding experiences to enhance user acquisition for your game."

In compensation, Jest garners an augmented platform revenue share, aligned with the JEST Platform Economics, detailed further on their website.

Games looking to be considered don't have to be innovative or unpublished. Existing titles that have already been released on different platforms are welcome, provided they have a mobile web version compatible with the Jest SDK.

Jest describes the fund as moving through stages rather than sticking to fixed levels. Most games begin at the Explore stage to assess their performance on Jest. Some studios may be eligible to skip directly to Scale contingent upon the product's readiness, performance indicators, and compatibility. Moving from Scale to Flagship relies heavily on how well they perform.

The initial group will conclude applications by April 15.