The Green Party is celebrating the latest figures that New Zealand’s game development industry earned a record $143 million in the last financial year and is urging practical policies to kick this into overdrive.

“While this growth is phenomenal, the New Zealand Government can do more to assist in growing it to a billion dollar industry,” said Green Party ICT spokesperson Gareth Hughes.

“While income has been concentrated amongst the ten largest companies we think the Government needs to act to encourage start-ups for a more diverse, sustainable industry.”

We are calling on the Government to consider:

· Allowing game developers access to the screen industry’s Post-production, Digital and Visual Effects scheme,

· Establishing a Gaming Development Fund and/or re-start the NZ Film Commission’s Interactive Development Fund to kick-start new projects,

· Work to attract overseas studios to locate operations in New Zealand, such as has occurred in Montreal,

· Support development of co-working spaces such as in Melbourne.

“Game development is a great source of new creative, high-paying jobs and with Government support we can help stop it hanging, crashing or hitting pause.” Said Mr Hughes.

ENDS

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