The Internet Development Institute (IRI) has shared its formal stance on a grant intended to support Watt Studio in creating the game Trains. In IRI’s account, the venture was laid out across five clearly defined phases, with citations noted within the author’s edition. The plan was presented as a structured roadmap, where each phase would unlock new milestones, and corresponding revisions would be documented to track progress and accountability.
A central condition for the project’s progression rested on the contractor’s ability to provide co-financing. All participants in the competitive process acknowledged this prerequisite during the in-person defenses and by signing the overarching framework agreement. Watt Games LLC reportedly faced difficulties securing the necessary funds and opted to publicly share the financial challenge on the project’s public page, a move that underscored the high-stakes nature of the agreement. This stance was echoed by representatives of IRI, who emphasized financial contingency as a key factor in moving forward.
According to IRI, the grant proposal envisaged a structured division of work and payments into five installments, with funds released in tandem with the completion of each product milestone. The financial cadence was designed to align incentives with tangible deliverables, ensuring that progress could be independently verified and assessed at each step.
Recent communications, however, suggested that the contractor was not yet prepared to commit to a binding contract. The decision to sign any formal agreement to produce a game, a television series, or other content rests with each winner of the IRI competition, following a careful assessment of opportunity, obligation, and risk. This reflects a cautious, decision-by-decision approach, aimed at safeguarding public resources while supporting creative innovation.
Meanwhile, Watt Studio has presented an alternate account of events, highlighting differences in interpretation and emphasis regarding project milestones and timelines.
All available screenshots illustrate TRAINS: Through Electric Storms and can be accessed on the project page, illustrating key visual and design elements associated with the concept. An industry insider chose not to disclose the latest distribution specifics for the Epic Games release, describing it merely as a component of a robust franchise strategy. The evolving storyline, marketing plan, and platform strategy remain under discussion, with stakeholders weighing audience reach, IP rights, and cross-media potential.
In this context, industry observers stress the importance of transparent governance, clear milestones, and rigorous risk assessment to ensure that public funding aligns with both creative ambition and accountable oversight. The discussion continues to center on how best to balance early-stage investment with measurable outcomes, while preserving the integrity of the competition process and safeguarding taxpayer interests.
Overall, the situation underscores the delicate balance between funding creative ventures and managing the practical realities of finance, contracts, and distribution when multiple parties are involved. The ongoing dialogue among the institute, the contractor, and other stakeholders aims to clarify roles, obligations, and the expectations for success in a project that sits at the intersection of interactive entertainment and media production.