Published on September 28th, 2021 | by Adrian Gunning
IGEA’s response: new Digital Games Development Rebate for NSW
IGEA is thrilled to see that NSW is committed to positioning itself as a centre for game development in Australia with the announcement from the Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, The Hon Stuart Ayres MP, alongside Minister for the Arts, The Hon Don Harwin MLC revealing that the NSW Government will widen its current 10 per cent post, digital and visual effects (PDV) rebate to eligible digital games projects in NSW, effective 1 October 2021.
NSW is already home to a broad range of dynamic and successful game development studios including Wargaming Sydney, Not Doppler, Blowfish Studios, SMG Studio, Chaos Theory Games, and 3RD SENSE, who are all creating products for a growing global games audience. This incentive will lay the foundation for further expansion for the highly creative, digitally-capable game development industry and contribute to employment, investment and export revenue growth for NSW.
Ron Curry, CEO of IGEA commented, “We are delighted that NSW has recognised the value that game development can contribute to not only the screen industry, but the NSW economy. Coupled with the recent announcement of the Federal Government’s 30% Digital Games Tax Offset to be introduced in July 2022, NSW is in an enviable and competitive position to bolster its already successful local game development industry and attract permanent investment for this creative and high-tech sector to the state.”
Roger Clarke, Chair of IGEA and Managing Director of Koch Media Australia says, “With large publishers and platforms looking to enter Australia and many already having a significant presence in Sydney, the future is bright for the NSW games industry who are well placed to take advantage of the new support mechanisms and further make their mark not only in Australia but on the world stage.”