Funding boost to help Aussie game makers compete

AUSTRALIA'S interactive game makers will get funding help from the Federal Government in a bid to grab some of the $90 billion earned globally by the industry.

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AUSTRALIA'S interactive game makers will get funding help from the Federal Government in a bid to grab some of the $90 billion earned globally by the industry.

Arts Minister Simon Crean today said $20 million would set up an Australian Interactive Games Fund to support what he called "one of the fastest growing sectors of the world economy''.

The Minister pointed to Australian game creators such as start-up company Melbourne-based Voxel Agents whose Train Conductor series has been downloaded more than 5 million times.

There also were more-established companies such as Brisbane's Halfbrick Studios and their game Fruit Ninja which had been downloaded 300 million times.

The money will be spent over three years and is a small amount compared to funding for other industry groups. But it is unusual for the Government to provide assistance for what previously had been considered a niche industry.

Mr Crean told the Screen Producers Association's Australia National Conference in Melbourne today that the money would help build a base for the local interactive entertainment industry to join the global market.

"Australian games studios are recognised internationally for their skill and originality in developing interactive games played all over the world but the local industry is coming under increased pressure in the midst of a major market shift,'' he said.

"This fund will assist the sector to reclaim their competitive advantage and support the development of games in Australia, investing in the intellectual property of our creative businesses to give them a stronger position internationally.

"This is a substantial investment to foster this growing sector where artists, musicians, writers, performers and software developers collaborate to meet the local and global demand for interactive entertainment and education.''

The Government is justifying its help for game makers as a natural extension of assistance to film makers.

Australians also were significant consumers spending more than $1.5 billion last year in retail sales of interactive games, and with 92 per cent of households owning a device for games.

Tony Reed, Chief Executive Officer of the Game Developers' Association of Australia welcomed the announcement saying this is recognition of the cultural and economic significance of the industry.

"This announcement is fantastic news for the Australian game development industry, Mr Reed said.