SINGAPORE (Nov 30): The Infocomm Media Development Authority on Tuesday launched PIXEL Studios to put online content creators such as YouTube stars and game producers under one roof to foster a community of creators and help them create more innovative content.

PIXEL Studios, a 25,000 sq ft space at the Pixel building in one-north, has a full suite of facilities for both gaming and digital content productions. The two-storey studio boasts some 10 filming sets, green screen studios, hot-desking spaces, as well as make-up and changing rooms. It has production areas that resemble old diners and kopitiams, with a Star Wars Battle Pod, smacked in the middle — just in case the creators gets bored.

“Through the programmes, facilities and resources available, this will be a common place for content creators to meet with like-minded people from diverse backgrounds… [to] experiment with new ways of media content creation and storytelling,” says Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim who officiated the launch.

The studio will play host to a series of workshops, networking sessions and hackathons for content creators. IMDA and Maker Studios is starting a boot camp for some 50 short form video makers, including both filmmakers and game producers.

StarHub, which signed a new partnership with IMDA, will open a call-for-proposal for the community at the studio. It will also run workshops on new media technologies. Sony Interactive Entertainment will loan development kits to startups that want to produce games for the PlayStation, while Samsung is providing creators with its virtual reality technology.

Starting next year, 17 game startups will move into PIXEL Studios. “We can work with [online content creators] to do marketing, and voice acting for games,” says local game startup Kaiju Den’s co-founder, Leslie Ng. He adds that more online games today are being played like a game show where audiences can interact with the person playing games through live streaming.

IMDA adds that there will be plans to roll out more facilities for the content creators. Nanyang Polytechnic will manage the studio.