Victorian Game Developers Get Power Up Funding 30 March 2007

Victorian Game Developers Get Power Up Funding


Media release - 30 March 2007


It’s game on for Victoria’s computer games companies thanks to a deal struck between Microsoft and the Bracks Government, the Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Tim Holding, announced today, at the unveiling of Microsoft’s new Melbourne HQ at Southbank.

“In an Australian first, the Bracks Government has negotiated with Microsoft for the purchase of eight next generation Xbox 360 games development kits. Our $65,000 contribution means vital resources will be made available to this cutting-edge local industry,” Mr Holding said.

“The Government has a very simple solution to ensure Victoria’s small creative companies compete globally: we purchase kits from Microsoft and the Game Developers’ Association of Australia (GDAA) distributes them, at no cost, to small, export-ready Victorian companies.

The development kit essentially allows developers inside the Xbox 360. It provides all the codes and protocols they need to program a game for the platform.

“Games development is an expensive and fast-paced business. Developers have a brief window of opportunity to purchase a kit, develop a game and get it into the marketplace,” Mr Holding said.

“While large companies can subsume development costs, smaller companies can find the initial outlay prohibitive. Buying a kit late in the cycle can mean missing peak sales periods and losing ground that is hard to win back.

“Electronic games are big business, and the Bracks Government support of the industry is about taking Victorian developers to the next level.

“We need look no further than the outstanding success of local games company IR Gurus’ Heroes of the Pacific game, released in September 2005. This is a prime example of how the development kit program gave the developer a head-start in working with the hardware that reduced costs and contributed to the timeliness of getting games to market.”

Tom Crago, President of the GDAA, said: “Given the rapid changes occurring globally in our industry, the early roll-out of this program in the development cycle will ensure we leverage and grow our local skills base.”

Minister Holding said the deal was part of a suite of innovative, proactive initiatives the Bracks Government was delivering to build the strength of the $23 billion per annum local ICT industry.

“In 2003, the Government developed its comprehensive roadmap, Game Plan: Game On which seeks to build on the existing skills base and achievements of the local electronic games industry,” Mr Holding said.

The Bracks Government also assists Victorian games companies entering the global market through its ICT Trade Events and Export Assistance program, which gives eligible ICT companies the chance to participate in overseas delegations to trade fairs each year.

“We are delighted to be working with the Bracks Government on this project and we see it as another way for Microsoft to support the growing ICT industry in Victoria,” said Ms Tracey Fellows, Managing Director, Microsoft Australia and New Zealand.

Over half of Australia's computer game development industry is based in Victoria, employing more than 700 people. Melbourne has a 25-year history in computer game development with more than 20 local games developers and animation studios.

Australia’s combined computer games software and hardware sales generate around $825 million per annum. Export revenue is around $110 million annually and expected to increase to $500 million by 2010.

To find out more about Victoria’s Electronic Games industry, please visit the MMV Games Industry page