Multimedia Victoria - Ballarat Rebooting for Computer Games Festival

Ballarat Rebooting for Computer Games Festival Media release - 15 May 2008 Young Victorians looking for a career in the computer games industry will be flocking to Ballarat this weekend to attend the Ballarat GiG: Get into Games festival. Information and Communication Technology Minister Theo Theophanous said the event was essential for all young people with an interest in the computer games industry. "This unique event highlights career opportunities in the games industry and draws attention to the huge potential for businesses in the Ballarat region," Mr Theophanous said. "With the industry on the rise locally and internationally, it is a great time for students to pursue their enthusiasm for computer games – studying ICT paves a creative career path with a mix of skill sets providing flexibility to work in a range of industries. "More than half Australia's computer games development industry is based right here in Victoria. We have more than 20 games development studios, animation houses and games industry service providers who are employing more than 800 people across the state." Leading Victorian game developers from Firemint, Infinite Interactive, Endgame Studios, Third Wave and Transmission Games will present their stories on how to get into the games industry at the festival and demonstrate their new and upcoming games. "Young people can get the facts straight from leading games developers such as Steve Fawkner from Infinite Interactive, who won the 2007 Australian Game of the Year for Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords," Mr Theophanous said. Ballarat GiG will also host the Victorian qualifiers for the Australian WCG (World Cyber Games) Championships. Mr Theophanous said the Brumby Government supported local games development studios through the ICT Linkages program, providing up to $1 million over three years to nurture the industry across the state. "Victoria's game developers brought in more than $45 million in the last financial year – with a recent delegation to San Francisco Game Developers' Conference generating $22 million in sales over the five day event," he said. Strong support is also provided for local companies to attend key overseas games fairs through the Brumby Government's ICT Trade Events and Export Assistance program. Ballarat GIG: Get into games runs from 16 to 17 May and is part of the Ballarat Innovation Festival. Related Information Ballarat Innovation Festival 16 - 17 May 2008 ICT Trade Events and Export Assistance program