Press Release from Screen Australia
Arts Minister Simon Crean today announced $20 million would be provided for the creation of an Australian Interactive Games Fund which will support one of the fastest growing sectors of the world economy.
At the Screen Producers Association of Australia National Conference in Melbourne Minister Crean announced funding for three years for the new Australian Interactive Games Fund.
"This $20 million fund will help build a sustainable base for the Australian interactive entertainment industry to respond and grow in a global market expected to reach $90.1 billion by 2015," Mr Crean said. "Australian games studios are recognised internationally for their skill and originality in developing interactive games played all over the world but the local industry is coming under increased pressure in the midst of a major market shift.
"This fund will assist the sector to reclaim their competitive advantage and support the development of games in Australia, investing in the intellectual property of our creative businesses to give them a stronger position internationally. This is a substantial investment to foster this growing sector where artists, musicians, writers, performers and software developers collaborate to meet the local and global demand for interactive entertainment and education.
"The gaming sector is in many ways the natural extension of film. On Tuesday I visited the Fox Studios set of The Wolverine in Sydney which as a franchise has been adapted on almost every gaming platform. The sector is a major employer and local start-up companies like Melbourne-based Voxel Agents have seen their Train Conductor series downloaded more than five mllion times. More established companies like Brisbane's Halfbrick Studios had their game Fruit Ninja downloaded 300 million times. Australians are significant consumers of interactive games spending some $1.5 billion last year in retail sales and with ninety two per cent of households owning a device for games."
Tony Reed, Chief Executive Officer of the Game Developers' Association of Australia welcomed the announcement saying this is recognition of the cultural and economic significance of the industry. "This announcement is fantastic news for the Australian game development industry," Mr Reed said. The games industry has gone beyond the entertainment space with games now used in education, healthcare and training. We look forward to working with the Federal Government to create a program that supports growth and stability, secures jobs, encourages innovation and creativity, and promotes investment in Australian talent and capability globally."
The Australian Interactive Games Fund will assist the games industry to capitalise on growing businesses and the creative opportunities that the National Broadband Network will bring.
"This new Fund is an investment in the future of our creative industries and the National Cultural Policy," Mr Crean said. "New technologies are creating previously unimaginable gaming platforms and, significantly, new modes of storytelling, which are shaping our creative industries."
Screen Australia will develop the funding guidelines in consultation with the sector and administer the Fund in its capacity as the government's key agency for support to the screen production sector. Screen Australia's Chief Executive Ruth Harley said, "We welcome the announcement from the Minister and look forward to consulting with the games sector to develop the best possible funding program."
The Fund will commence in 2012–13 delivering $5 million per annum in the first and second years, jumping to $10 million in 2014–15.