Multimedia Victoria - Window Title

International games gurus descend on Melbourne to discuss a changing market

Wednesday, 30 September 2009

Yesterday international and local game luminaries attended the Victorian Government's Digital Distribution Summit: Small Games, Big Market.The summit was a free one-day event for game developers, publishers, studios, venture capitalists and enthusiasts. Key international speakers were from Nintendo, XBox, Krome Studios and Ericsson.

The Digital Distribution Summit is a leading edge response by the Victorian Government through Film Victoria to foster the growing market for digitally distributed games. Adopted early by Xbox Live Arcade but more recognised through the global success of Apple’s iPhone App Store, with over 1.5 billion Apps downloaded, the delivery of digital media games and audience engagement has been revolutionised.

When announcing the Digital Distribution Summit on the 10 September 2009, Minister for Innovation Gavin Jennings reiterated the Victorian Government’s commitment to this growing industry, “Consumer spending on video games in Australia is the fourth highest in the world per capita. The Brumby Government is committed to enabling our game developers to take advantage of this trend, generating jobs and investment in Victoria.”

Film Victoria CEO Sandra Sdraulig commented, “The market for downloadable video game sales has grown exponentially in the last few years. With the Asia Pacific region being the largest online gaming market in the world and Australian consumer spending on online games in 2009 estimated to be $210.7 million, we recognise that it’s critical that we continually provide the local industry with world class opportunities to up-skill and workshop with the best in their field.”

The first of its kind in Asia Pacific, the Digital Distribution Summit is a free one day event for game developers, publishers, studios, venture capitalists and enthusiasts, as well as an invitation-only round table lab.

Summit attendees will gain valuable insight into the global digital distribution market from gaming gurus, such as David Edery (former worldwide games portfolio manager of Xbox Live Arcade), Jamil Moledina (Outreach Director of EA), Simon Carless (Chairmen of the Independent Games Festival, publisher of Develop Magazine and gamasutra.com), and Rob Murray (CEO of successful local studio Firemint and creator of Flight Control).

Ms Sdarulig observed, “The expected growth of the interactive games industry in Australia to 2013 is 47%, the second highest expected video game growth market in the world. This presents a wonderful opportunity for Victorian games developers.

“We aim to build the capacity of Victorian studios by reducing the reliance on traditional publishers to get a game into the market place.”

Through Film Victoria, the Victorian government has been a supporter of the local gaming industry for over a decade. In 2008, the government committed another $4 million over two years to maintain critical funding for digital content and skill development opportunities.

“The Digital Distribution Summit is a rare opportunity to explore international growth and trends, discuss a range of issues such as how to take your game to market, building a business in the digital distribution industry, publishing issues, and for a few select developers, to present their projects in one-on-one workshops,” finished Ms Sdraulig.

Visit www.ddsummit.com for more information.