DIGITAL
GAMES
INTRODUCTION
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY STRENGTHS
COMPANIES AND
CAPABILITIES
FURTHER
INFORMATION
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Publication date: April 2014
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DIGITAL GAMES
GLOBAL SUCCESS
AWARD-WINNING
CREATIVE TALENT
DIGITAL GAMES
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INTRODUCTION
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY STRENGTHS
FURTHER
INFORMATION
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DIGITAL GAMES
Australia has a dynamic and sophisticated game
development industry. With experience developing and
marketing products for the largest game publishers in
the world, Australia offers the best in creative talent,
advanced technology and management experience.
Australia also has a strong base of
complementary creative industries, including
film and television, design, advertising and
new media. Our education and training
courses are world class, ensuring that the
supply of talent continues to grow and meet
future market needs.
This industry capability statement provides
an overview of Australian capability in digital
games, including some of the many Australian
companies with specialist expertise.
Talk to your local Austrade representative
for more tailored advice and information on
connecting and partnering with Australian
digital games providers.
Experience developing
and marketing products
for the largest game
publishers in the world
DIGITAL GAMES
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INTRODUCTION
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY STRENGTHS
FURTHER
INFORMATION
In a market hungry for new content,
the Australian digital games
industry has earned a reputation for
quality and continues to make an
international impact disproportionate
to its size.
Australia has a dynamic and
sophisticated game development
industry, with more than 100
development companies creating
games across mobile, console,
computer, handheld and browser
platforms.
World-class game development
studios across Australia are
recognised for their design creativity,
innovation, quality and technical skills
in games, tools and platforms.
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DIGITAL GAMES
Australian developers have worked
with many of the top global publishers
and major console manufacturers, and
independently on games that have
won international acclaim, including
Fruit Ninja, Star Wars: The Force
Unleashed, Bioshock 2, Heroes of the
Pacific and Rome: Total War.
The changing nature of games is
creating some unique possibilities
for an innovative and nimble industry.
This includes the rapidly emerging
social networks and wireless/mobile
games market. The Asia-Pacific
region is predicted to contribute the
most to entertainment and media
global growth in the next five years,
particularly in mobile games.
DIGITAL GAMES
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INTRODUCTION
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY STRENGTHS
FURTHER
INFORMATION
A successful digital games industry
requires a combination of creative
minds and technological capability
in a business environment where
employees are skilled and reliable,
where costs are predictable and
competitive, where regulations work
and where infrastructure is of a high
quality. Australia is home to all of this
and more.
Some of the key strengths of the
Australian digital games industry are:
Australia is known internationally
for the large number of people who
continue to achieve innovative,
groundbreaking results for the digital
games sector. It has developed a
critical mass of complementary
creative industries, including animation,
screen, design, advertising, mobile
content and new media as well as
platform technology and games
software developers.
• o
ver 100 game development
companies from small independent
teams to large organisations
SKILLS
• o
ver 35 years of experience
developing games
• outstanding creative talent
• large skills base
• e
xcellent infrastructure and
advanced technology.
Australia has created a vibrant
games development industry that
is a strong competitor in the everevolving global digital games market.
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DIGITAL GAMES
CREATIVITY
Home to award-winning developers
and studios, Australia has
demonstrated capabilities to develop
games for global markets across
multiple platforms and is a recognised
contributor in the creation of new
platforms and tools used by the
industry globally.
Australia is internationally recognised
for producing highly skilled technical
and design talent with exceptional
productivity, innovative flair and
accountability.
The digital games labour force is
supplied by a number of high-quality
education providers delivering a
supply of new talent for the industry
into the future.
A SUPPORTIVE
ENVIRONMENT
Australia’s intellectual property
protection regime is among the best
in the world and provides security for
companies undertaking R&D.
In addition, the Australian Government
is investing in the creation of a superfast broadband infrastructure, known
as the National Broadband Network.
AUSTRALIAN DIGITAL GAMES: A COMBINATION OF CREATIVE MINDS AND TECHNOLOGICAL CAPACITY
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1
Over 100 game development
companies from small independent
teams to large organisations
Excellent infrastructure
and advanced technology
4
Large skills base
2
3
Over 35 years of experience
developing games
Outstanding
creative talent
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From Mythbusters to Bananas in Pyjamas,
it’s game on for Enabled
Case study: game development
Based in South Australia, Enabled is a
cross-platform digital media company
that excels in creative strategy. Their
unique approach has seen them work
with iconic Australian brands and
multinationals around the world and also
partner with prominent marketing and
production agencies.
Since it was established, Enabled
has set a strategy of maintaining a
company size designed to allow its
multi-disciplined experts to work closely
together. Along with giving each project
the benefits of a wide range of expertise,
having a cross platform, in-house team
means that Enabled never has to
outsource. This reduces overheads and
project management costs, allows the
team to work within tight deadlines, and
has helped build a reputation for quality
and client satisfaction.
The company has a portfolio of game
products including Mogo the Monkey,
Storm Surfers, The Fairies, Flight Before
Christmas, Newton’s Cradle and Clipsal
500 (the famous Adelaide racetrack
venue for V8 Supercars).
Some recent game releases linked to
well-known shows and brands include
Bananas in Pyjamas Bubble Time, a
game for children aged two to four.
Another is the Mythbusters Mythopedia,
developed in partnership with Beyond
Productions, Wilkinson Publishing
and BlackBerry. Enabled turned the
successful Mythbusters Mythopedia
book into an exclusive new experience
on PlayBook, complete with videos,
quotes, photos, science and humour.
enabled.com.au
Image courtesy of Enabled
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DIGITAL GAMES
Big Ant Studios races ahead
Case study: game development
Founded in 2001, Melbourne-based Big
Ant Studios has grown into one of the
largest game developers in Australia.
Originally specialising in simulationracing, the company has expanded
its portfolio to include a wide variety
of game genres on current and nextgeneration platforms.
Today, Big Ant is a truly next-generation
studio working with the latest technology
to create fun, innovative IP. Big Ant
Studios develops premium character
action, racing and sports games
for platforms that include the Sony
PlayStation 2 and 3, Nintendo Wii,
Microsoft Xbox360 and PC.
Supported by such leading global
publishers as THQ, Konami, and Sierra
Entertainment, the company has
achieved significant market success.
Some of the titles Big Ant Studios has
released are World of Outlaws: Sprint
Cars, Hellboy: The Science of Evil, The
Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night,
Short Track Racing: Trading Paint, AFL
Live and Rugby League Live 2. The
latest release for PS3, Xbox360 and PC
is the highly anticipated Don Bradman
Cricket 2014 game.
bigant.com
Image courtesy of Big Ant Studios
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Virtual Mechanix has the drive to succeed
Case study: 3D vehicle modelling
Established in March 2001, Virtual
Mechanix is an Australian-based
company that specialises in producing
3D vehicle models for interactive
games/simulations and pre-rendered
applications.
Their work includes Ignite Technologies
Simraceway, Microsoft Game Studios/
Bizarre Creations’ Project Gotham Racing
2, 3 and 4, and SEGA Racing Studio’s
SEGA Rally Revo, Firemint’s Real Racing
mobile application and Super Aguri F1
Team’s Proprietary Simulation (PC). Most
recently, Virtual Mechanix completed ship
visualisations and animations for Clive
Palmer’s Titanic II project.
Virtual Mechanix generally has around
12 artists working full-time, four to five of
whom are based in Australia, and the rest
located at offices in Asia and Europe.
virtual-mechanix.com
Image courtesy of Virtual Mechanix
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DIGITAL GAMES
From coin-op to consoles,
Tantalus keeps on developing
Case study: game development
With 19 years in the business and a
portfolio of over 40 titles on most major
platforms, Tantalus Interactive is one
of the world’s leading independent
development studios.
Renowned for handheld work on
franchises such as SpongeBob, MX
vs ATV, Cars, Ben 10 and the millionunit-selling Pony Friends, Tantalus also
develops for the current generation of
consoles.
The next phase of growth and platform
diversification will see the release of
the company’s first Nintendo 3DS and
smartphone titles as well as more digital
distribution projects.
Area 51, The House of the Dead and
Maximum Force rate among the other
critical and commercial successes of
those early years.
Titles such as Monster Truck Madness
helped Tantalus build a reputation as
a world-leading developer on Game
Boy Advance, culminating in the highly
acclaimed Nintendo-published Top Gear
Rally winning IGN Game of the Year.
Tantalus’ most recent release is Deus Ex:
Human Revolution for the Wii U.
tantalus.com.au
Tantalus began life as a conversion
house, adapting coin-op titles to console
and PC. Despite tough schedules and
challenging deadlines, Tantalus soon
earned a reputation for consistency and
reliability. Manx TT Superbike became a
star attraction on the Sega Saturn while
Image courtesy of Tantalus Interactive
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Trickstar Games is moving fast
Case study: game development
Trickstar Games is a licensed developer
with Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft,
based in Melbourne, Australia, and
produces games on all major gaming
platforms including web browser, iOS
and Android.
The company is headed by Mike Fegan
and Tony Parkes, who together have over
50 years’ experience in the interactive
entertainment industry and have been
involved in the production, publishing and
distribution of over 500 games.
Founded in 2009, Trickstar has
developed an impressive portfolio of
titles, including International Damage
Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII, Cricket
2010, Jane’s Advanced Strike Fighters,
StuntMania, StuntMania Reloaded,
Fumes Stunt Racer and Tankz as well as
the BAFTA-nominated, UK and Australia
number one hit title, Ashes Cricket.
trickstargames.com
Image courtesy of Trickstar Games
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DIGITAL GAMES
Firelight makes itself heard
Case study: audio technology
Melbourne-based Firelight Technologies
is the industry leader in gaming audio
systems. Its FMOD lines of tools –
FMOD Studio, FMOD Designer and
the FMOD Ex Programmer’s API –
are globally regarded as the leading
tools for the creation and playback of
interactive audio.
The FMOD product line has gained a
strong reputation for its ease of use,
powerful software-mixed architecture and
comprehensive cross-platform support.
Today, FMOD products are widely used
within the gaming industry. The sound
of over 1500 different titles, FMOD
Interactive Audio Middleware has been
used in games series such as: World
of Warcraft, Starcraft, Crysis, Bioshock,
Forza, Guitar Hero and other hit titles
such as Dragon Age and L.A. Noire.
gaming industry, FMOD is used in the
simulation sector in the domestic and
defence industries and auto industry.
Established in 2002 by CEO Brett
Paterson, Firelight Technologies has
14 full-time employees, organised into
distinctive teams to ensure that each
process of FMOD production and
support is interconnected.
With an eye on the global gaming
market, Firelight has a strong foundation
of continuous research and development
maintaining its consistent global
leadership in the audio software sector.
fmod.org
Users of FMOD products include
Activision Blizzard, Disney, Microsoft,
Sony, Ubisoft, THQ, Take 2 Interactive,
Unity, Crytek and Havok. Outside of the
Image courtesy of Firelight Technologies
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INTRODUCTION
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY STRENGTHS
FURTHER
INFORMATION
The following are some of the
industry bodies involved in the
Australian creative and digital
games sector.
Contact your local Australian Trade
Commission representative about
connecting and partnering with the
Australian digital games industry.
austrade.gov.au
The Game Developers’ Association
of Australia (GDAA) was formed
by leading developers in December
1999 to increase the profile of the
Australian interactive game industry
both domestically and internationally.
The GDAA is the industry’s peak
body and represents the interests
of its members. The GDAA works
to promote the growth of the game
industry in Australia, attract capital
and publishers from offshore, retain
and attract talent in the local industry,
and promote a sense of community
within the industry. The GDAA holds
an annual conference in Australia,
Games Connect Asia Pacific.
gdaa.com.au
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DIGITAL GAMES
Screen Australia is the Australian
Government’s peak agency which
supports the nation’s film, television,
documentary and digital media
makers. The agency develops and
finances high-quality, innovative and
commercially attractive projects,
designed with audiences in mind.
Screen Australia markets Australian
practitioners and screen content, at
home and abroad. Screen Australia
conducts research, and administers
the Producer Offset tax incentive
as well as Australia’s Official
Co-production Program.
screenaustralia.gov.au
Australian Information Industry
Association (AIIA) is the leading
industry body for the Australian
technology sector. AIIA sets the
strategic direction of the industry,
influences public policy and provides
members with productivity tools,
advisory services and market
intelligence to accelerate their
business growth. Since 1978, AIIA
has represented the Australian ICT
industry. The AIIA’s membership
encompasses all sectors of the
industry, from hardware and software
services to multinational companies
and local SMEs.
aiia.com.au
Australian Interactive Media
Industry Association (AIMIA) is the
peak industry body for interactive
content and digital media in Australia.
AIMIA’s membership represents the
full spectrum of the digital media
industry in Australia. Members range
from Australia’s top digital media
powerhouses, including the ABC,
Sensis, Yahoo!, Google, BigPond,
Foxtel, Disney, ninemsn and Fairfax
Digital, to the country’s best known
interactive advertising, mobile content,
web development, games design, and
special effects companies. Members
include developers, creators, producers,
investors, service providers, educational
institutions and students.
aimia.com.au
Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM)
is a not-for-profit incorporated association
of media educators and industry
professionals dedicated to the ongoing
development of an innovative and diverse
screen and media culture in Australia.
ATOM does this by providing debate
and analysis through its various online
and print publications, a broad range of
professional development and training
opportunities, and running the annual
EnhanceTV ATOM Awards in October.
atom.org.au
The Australian Directors Guild (ADG)
is an industry association representing
the interests of film, television and
digital media directors, documentary
makers, animators, assistant directors
and independent producers throughout
Australia. ADG has 600 members
nationally. ADG works to promote
excellence in screen direction, to
encourage communication and
collaboration between directors and
others in the industry, and to provide
professional support for its members.
adg.org.au
The Interactive Games &
Entertainment Association (iGEA),
formerly Interactive Entertainment
Association of Australia (IEAA),
is a national industry association
representing games publishers and
others who develop and market
computer and video games software,
hardware and accessories in Australia.
Its services include weekly hardware
and software sales reports, catalogue
advertising reporting software, piracy
investigations and government relations.
iGEA also holds its own annual awards.
igea.net
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DIGITAL GAMES
The Australian Trade Commission – Austrade –
contributes to Australia’s economic prosperity
by helping Australian businesses, education
institutions, tourism operators, governments
and citizens as they:
• develop international markets
• win productive foreign direct investment
• promote international education
• strengthen Australia’s tourism industry
• seek consular and passport services.
Austrade helps companies around the world to
identify and take up investment opportunities in
Australia as well as to source Australian goods
and services.
Our assistance includes:
• providing insight on Australian capabilities
• identifying potential investment projects
and strategic alliance partners
• h
elping you to identify and contact Australian
suppliers.
W austrade.gov.au
E [email protected]
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austrade.gov.au