Australian game industry calls for more government support
If the European game industry thought they were alone in their uphill crusade, they are definitely not alone. Reports are coming in that representatives of the Game Developers’ Association of Australia (or the GDAA for short) have demanded that the federal government of Australia bestow the same 40% tax rebate it has granted to the film and special effects industry.
The GDAA claims that the local game industry has been actively contributing to the economy of the country, emphasizing AU$ 400 million (US$ 343.37 million) in domestic sales, AU$ 1 billion (US$ 855.99 million) in 2006 Australian video games sales, over AU$ 2 million (US$% 1.72 million) in local expenditure for game purchases, and over AU$ 100 (US$ 85.6) million in export growth, while only having 8,500 Australians employed in the sector’s workforce.
The GDAA estimates that if the 40% tax rebate was also awarded to the game industry, the grant would triple their development workforce (2,000 developers to 6,000) in three years, while hitting an approximate of 18,000 by 2010. GDAA president Tom Crago and CEO Greg Bondar said, “The federal government could do much to learn from the Canadian government which has created over 10,000 jobs in video game development over the last four years through the right financial incentives.”
In contrast, the Canadian government has been pro-active in the development of the game sector of their local entertainment industry, not only encouraging the opening of jobs in the game development stretch alone but also granting financial support to studios that decide to expand or establish new branches in the country. Morocco is one other country actively pushing forth for a more active local game industry.
Via Gamasutra
If the European game industry thought they were alone in their uphill crusade, they are definitely not alone. Reports are coming in that representatives of the Game Developers’ Association of Australia (or the GDAA for short) have demanded that the federal government of Australia bestow the same 40% tax rebate it has granted to the film and special effects industry.
The GDAA claims that the local game industry has been actively contributing to the economy of the country, emphasizing AU$ 400 million (US$ 343.37 million) in domestic sales, AU$ 1 billion (US$ 855.99 million) in 2006 Australian video games sales, over AU$ 2 million (US$% 1.72 million) in local expenditure for game purchases, and over AU$ 100 (US$ 85.6) million in export growth, while only having 8,500 Australians employed in the sector’s workforce.
The GDAA estimates that if the 40% tax rebate was also awarded to the game industry, the grant would triple their development workforce (2,000 developers to 6,000) in three years, while hitting an approximate of 18,000 by 2010. GDAA president Tom Crago and CEO Greg Bondar said, “The federal government could do much to learn from the Canadian government which has created over 10,000 jobs in video game development over the last four years through the right financial incentives.”
In contrast, the Canadian government has been pro-active in the development of the game sector of their local entertainment industry, not only encouraging the opening of jobs in the game development stretch alone but also granting financial support to studios that decide to expand or establish new branches in the country. Morocco is one other country actively pushing forth for a more active local game industry.
Via Gamasutra
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