Local video game developers and representatives from film, education, industry and government are hoping to help kick-start the digital games industry on the Sunshine Coast.
The latest data from the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association shows the Australian video game industry has risen to be worth $345.5 million, an increase of 21 per cent over the past financial year.
Queensland has experienced extensive growth in the industry over the past three years and is currently one of the best places to develop digital games due to its favourable tax offsets and incentives.
Now the Sunshine Coast is aiming to power up its role in the emerging industry, after the successful launch of its first Digital Games Summit at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
The sold-out event last month gave more than 80 attendees the opportunity to engage and network with industry stakeholders, including Screen Queensland, IGEA, Jobs Queensland, Sunshine Coast Council and the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective, which provided key insights into the state of the industry nationally and internationally.
Through a facilitated workshop, the summit identified key actions that will help to kick-start the games industry on the Coast.
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UniSC’s Professor Mark Loon said the digital games industry attracted a confluence of skills, from creative practices and problem solving to project management.
“These essential and transferable skills make the workforce in digital games a highly sought-after asset,” he said.
“At UniSC, we pride ourselves in developing these highly skilled and creative workforces to drive and support innovations not just in digital games but also in other industries in our region.”
Screen Queensland head of games Jed Dawson said that as global interest in Queensland as a new leader in games development continued to grow, the potential for the Sunshine Coast to capitalise on this momentum was strong.
“Through our Digital Games Incentive, Games Grants and Games Residency programs, Screen Queensland has worked to build capacity and capability across the state’s bourgeoning games sector in recent years and it’s fantastic to see such strong enthusiasm from Sunshine Coast Council to establish their region as a major player in local digital games development,” he said.
“We are also committed to propelling emerging talent on the Sunshine Coast and look forward to providing some exciting new opportunities in 2025 for early-career developers to gain new skills, connect with industry and forge new employment pathways.”
Sunshine Coast councillor Joe Natoli opened the event and said it marked an important first step in the development of a new and exciting industry.
“As Queensland builds its reputation as one of Australia’s leading hubs for the digital games industry, our region has a chance to play a major part in that growth,” he said.
“The Sunshine Coast has the foundations for a dynamic digital games industry, driven by our world-class educational programs, robust digital infrastructure, enviable lifestyle and a strong innovation ecosystem.
“The digital games industry also has a strong alignment with the Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Strategy, especially in areas like talent and skills, innovation and technological advancement.”
