Latest from the NZGDA – NZ game exports have doubled in just two years
Last week the New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA) released the results of an annual industry-wide survey exploring revenue and growth in NZ game studios.
Thirty-nine interactive, gaming, virtual reality, augmented reality and edTech companies were surveyed on their outputs, domestic and export-driven revenue, barriers to growth and more. According to the figures, interactive game developers earned a staggering $203.4 million in 2019 – more than double the total earnings in 2017.
The reported annual industry growth of 42% confirmed projections made by the NZGDA’s Interactive Aotearoa study last year, which explored the social, educational and economic benefits of interactive media.
It’s predicated that another 207 new jobs will be created this year within the surveyed studios, with the majority of vacancies being for game programmers and artists. 59% of studios interviewed said they expect ‘significant growth’ (>10%) in 2020, with 47% saying that skill shortages were limiting their capacity for growth.
At this rate, New Zealand’s interactive media industry – already the fastest growing tech sector and creative industry in the country – is on track to be worth over a billion dollars by 2025.
Looks like there’s never been a better time to study game dev!
