“NSW is home to 50% of the Film Industry in Australia, but only 20% of the Games Industry, and we want to change that”, Minister John Graham said at the Screen NSW strategy launch event.  

It’s inspiring to hear about our state government's commitment to supporting our industry in the recent Strategy Roadmap. 

The game development landscape in Sydney has become increasingly vibrant and dynamic. Screen NSW has committed to supporting the games industry through various initiatives, including grants and rebates to stimulate growth and innovation. These financial incentives support local developers and attract international talent, making Sydney a burgeoning hub for game development.

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Screen NSW Supports Game Development

Screen NSW provides a range of funding options tailored specifically for the gaming industry. These include:

  • Production Grants: Financial support for developing new games.
  • Marketing and Travel Grants: Assistance in promoting games both domestically and internationally.
  • Rebates: Returns on development expenditure for local game development projects.

Such initiatives have fostered an environment where creativity can flourish, allowing studios to focus on innovative gameplay and storytelling. Support allows small-to-medium-sized teams to start new projects and build original Australian IPs.

One of the standout grant opportunities is the Screen NSW Digital Games Rebate, which allows game studios to reclaim up to 10% of their production costs if they meet specific spending thresholds within NSW. This rebate has helped attract larger international studios, boosting NSW’s profile as a global player in game development.

Recent Audience Choice Winner at SXSW Sydney, Mystiques: Haunted Antiques was among the many Screen NSW $300,000 Digital Games Seed Development Funding recipients.

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The Impact of SXSW on Sydney's Game Development Scene

The arrival of the world-renowned SXSW in Sydney last year marked a significant milestone for the creative industries, further invigorating the already dynamic game development community in New South Wales. Known for being a global gathering of innovators across music, film, tech, and games, SXSW’s expansion to Sydney has spotlighted the region, drawing international attention to its thriving creative ecosystem.

The event brought together developers, industry leaders, and tech enthusiasts from across the globe, providing a platform for local talent to showcase their work on the world stage. The festival hosted panels, workshops, and networking events that focused on the future of interactive entertainment, offering invaluable opportunities for Sydney-based studios to connect with global publishers, investors, and other key players in the industry.

For the game development community, SXSW Sydney provided energy and validation, positioning NSW as more of a hub for game innovation. It underscored Sydney’s potential as a global centre for cutting-edge interactive entertainment and attracted attention to local success stories. This surge of interest aligns with the ongoing support from Screen NSW, whose grants and incentives help build momentum for game development in the region.

With internationally renowned events like SXSW now part of Sydney’s annual calendar, the city continues to cement its status as a vibrant, forward-thinking hub for game development, ripe with opportunities for local and international studios.

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NSW wins Studio of The Year for the first time!

Chaos Theory (that’s us!) recently won Studio of the Year at the 2024 Australian Game Development Awards (AGDAs), highlighting our innovation, impact, and team management excellence. Our acclaimed title, Crab God, exemplifies our mission; it has won awards and contributed positively to environmental causes by planting trees and cleaning oceans through its gameplay mechanics. We are honoured to be the first NSW studio ever to receive the award, and we can’t wait to see what comes next!

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Are you looking for a game development team? Chat with us today!

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