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This is the story of how an indie video game developer's passion project turned into the center of a legal battle against the Spanish government. My game, Moons of Darsalon, the result of years of hard work and innovation, was unfairly disqualified from a 5 million euro European Union grant managed by the agency red.es. What should have been an opportunity to promote innovation in the video game industry became a saga of irregularities, lack of transparency, and bureaucratic hurdles.
In this video, I share every detail of my journey:
The Grant Opportunity: A breakdown of the grant focused on innovation, project quality, team composition, and previous releases. I explain why I decided to submit Moons of Darsalon despite knowing I might be at a disadvantage in certain criteria.
Innovative Mechanics of Moons of Darsalon: From 2D procedural terrain generation using a "ground maker" gun to realistic 2D liquid simulations, advanced dynamic lighting systems, and custom shaders, I highlight the unique features that set my game apart in the indie game development scene.
The May 24, 2018 Incident: How the red.es online platform malfunctioned during the application process, allowing applicants to access and download other competitors' projects, compromising the integrity of the grant application process.
🚨 The Grant Results and Unveiling Irregularities
In April 2019, the results were published: out of 284 applications, only 38 projects received funding. Several alarming issues surfaced:
The majority of scores were mathematically impossible, being multiples of 0.33, suggesting a flawed evaluation system.
The justifications for the scores were vague and often identical across different projects, indicating they were likely generated by a script rather than through careful assessment.
Projects with less innovation than Moons of Darsalon received higher scores.
There were clear conflicts of interest between evaluators and beneficiary companies, including situations where evaluators assessed projects of their former students or professional associates.
🕵️♂️ Digging Deeper and Seeking Transparency
Determined to uncover the truth, I:
Submitted multiple requests to red.es for detailed explanations and access to the full documentation of the grant process.
Faced repeated dismissals and bureaucratic obstacles, including being granted only one hour to review 284 projects on an old laptop under strict supervision, without the ability to take photos or adequate notes.
Discovered that the evaluators were given access to projects via unsecured means like OneDrive, which violates protocols for handling sensitive information.
⚖️ Taking Legal Action Against the Administration
Left with no other options, I decided to take legal action:
The Lawsuit: With the help of a law firm specializing in administrative law, I filed a lawsuit against red.es, highlighting:
The inconsistency and lack of transparency in the evaluation process.
The mathematical impossibility of the scoring system.
Multiple irregularities, including the improper handling of confidential information and potential biases due to conflicts of interest.
The systematic denial of access to crucial documentation necessary for my defense.
The Legal Battle: Throughout the trial, red.es relied on the concept of "technical discretion", a legal principle allowing administrative decisions to stand unless proven arbitrary. Despite presenting substantial evidence, including a report from an experienced video game professor and notarized testimonies, the court dismissed my claims.
The Verdict: The court's decision ignored key evidence and upheld the administration's actions, demonstrating how the system can be stacked against individuals challenging government entities. The judgment even contradicted itself by acknowledging that I could have accessed other applicants' projects while simultaneously denying me that opportunity.
This case isn't just about one developer's struggle. It highlights:
The challenges faced by indie developers in accessing public funds meant to support innovation.
The systemic issues within the Spanish judicial system and public administration, including lack of transparency and accountability.
The importance of fairness and integrity in the allocation of European Union grants and public resources.
🛠️ Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
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