Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, David Clark, has announced an immediate funding boost to help New Zealand’s game development sector.
Minister Clark said the Government was set to invest $2.25 million a year until 2027 – with $1 million already allocated this financial year – to expand Dunedin’s Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE) programme to other centres.
“New Zealand’s game development sector has been rapidly growing. The latest data from the New Zealand Game Developers Association shows the total revenue for the industry is $407 million, compared to $276 million a year ago,” said Mr Clark.
NZGDA 2022 data also shows Otago accounts for a disproportionate number of studios at 26% of New Zealand’s total, with significant growth being driven by the Dunedin centre.
CODE was established in 2019 to boost the expansion of New Zealand’s growing game development ecosystem.
Minister for Economic and Regional Development, Stuart Nash said the funding will help to establish new regional hubs to provide contestable grants and skills development to game development studios across the country.
“We’ve invested in community-led projects across the country to ensure our regions can thrive, grow, and boost local economies,” said Mr Nash.
“We also want to drive innovation and create opportunities in our regions. Expanding CODE across New Zealand should pique the interest of burgeoning game developers, and provide them with a foot in the door,” he said.
Minister Clark said the Government has been working closely with the New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA) on how to provide more support for the sector.
“The expansion of CODE is something they have asked for, and we’ve listened.”
“However, I will continue to work with industry and my colleagues around what more we can do to nurture our local talent and keep them on home soil,” he said.
