First grants - Code becomes reality
Dunedin’s stake in the multibilliondollar global game industry was boosted yesterday as the New Zealand Centre of Digital Excellence dished out its first grants to new and emerging local studios. Bruce Quirey reports.
REALITY just got unreal. Dunedin game development studios led by an underwater diving instructor and a rally car driver are among seven recipients of the first New Zealand Centre of Digital Excellence (Code) grants revealed yesterday.
The new and emerging game studios were awarded the Code grants at a ceremony in Dunedin.
Two studios received Start Up grants.
Otepoti Games Company Ltd was awarded $146,586 to develop ‘‘cosy’’genre adventure game
Pae Moana, based loosely on Otago Harbour and its surrounds.
The Dunedin company was founded by Kylie Jackson, a former underwater diving instructor.
Gfactor Technologies has received $150,000 to launch educational driving simulation game CoDriVR.
It is headed by Otago rally car driver Rhys Gardner.
Five other studios have been awarded Kickstart funding to develop prototype games.
They include Spookysoft ($21,528) for a prototype of My Year of Penguins; Nutriblocks Ltd ($40,000) for Nutri Islands; Court of the Peacocks Tail Ltd ($27,260) for People’s Diplomacy; Atawhai Ltd ($36,100) for Toroa; and Lachlan Scown ($12,800) for
Mariri.
The first projects are in early development phases and are expected to be ready for market validation or further investment by the end of the year.
Code is a Dunedin hub designed to advance the expansion of New Zealand’s growing video game development industry.
Yesterday’s ceremony brought game developers together with representatives from several organisations, including the Dunedin City Council, its development arm Enterprise Dunedin and the Government.
Speakers included Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications David Clark, Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins, Code chairman Murray Strong and Code establishment director Tim Ponting.
“It’s pleasing to see Code reach another important milestone in the development of New Zealand’s game development industry,’’ Dr Clark said.
“Having been involved in the design of Code when in Opposition, it’s great to see Code become a reality and leverage the amazing gaming talent in Aotearoa.”
The New Zealand interactive games industry was growing towards $1 billion, he said.
Mr Clark also opened the second Kickstart and Start Up funding rounds, and launched a new Scale Up category, which will provide matched funding to established Dunedin gaming companies wanting to grow their presence in the market.
The three categories in the second round will have an available funding pool of $500,000.
Code is supported by funding administered by the Provincial Development Unit and facilitated by Enterprise Dunedin.