gdaa
Latest
Game developers bullish about Australian tax break bill
Game Developers Association of Australia CEO Tony Reed is, as you might imagine, a big fan of the $1.9 billion tax break for video game research and development that's making its way through the nation's government. Speaking to Gamespot, Reed explained, "No matter how big or small a studio is, this is the kind of thing that will encourage development. It is designed with our own independence, creativity, and innovation in mind." He added that his organization harbors a lofty goal: To "prepare Australia to become one of the top three territories in the world for game development within the next five years." The country has a ways to go before they can recover from the games industry's 50 percent reduction in workforce, but five years is an awfully long time in the tech world. And, it should go without saying, almost-two billion dollars is a lot of dollars.
GDAA notes benefits of Aussie development
Games Developers Association Australia President Tom Crago feels that the country's development community is holding strong against the current economic storm. Speaking with The Sydney Morning Herald, Crago believes the current exchange rate and the focus on "family-type titles" by local developers is a benefit, noting that 50% of titles developed in the region are sold on Nintendo consoles.Crago did acknowledge that it's not all sunshine in Australia, saying "You only have to look as far as the closure of Pandemic up in Brisbane to see that impact" of the current economic crisis. Of course, EA's Pandemic Brisbane was closed earlier this year after reportedly failing to deliver the long-rumored video game tie-in to The Dark Knight. However, Crago believes that Australia is in a "pretty reasonable position" – but that's his job to say that, isn't it? We'll play along if promises that Sydney-based Team Bondi's LA Noire is coming out soon. Promise us, Mr. Crago![Via Develop]
Oz developers love de Blob
Move over, Paul Hogan. Aussies have a new hero: de Blob.Even though the game wasn't a commercial success, the game won the hearts of gamers and critics alike. In fact, it might as well be Australia's favorite game, as the title has dominated the Australian development awards. Every year, the GDAA (Game Developers Association of Australia) bestows honors on outstanding games and this year, a majority of those awards were dropped on THQ's title. Among those nods were several big ones, including best console title, best gameplay, best audio, best graphics and the GDAA's game of the year award.%Gallery-17709%
GDAA mate, Aussie developer group chief quitting
Greg Bondar, CEO of the Game Developers' Association of Australia (GDAA), will quit his post on July 12. Bondar tells Gamespot AU that he's moving on to "pursue other opportunities" after being with the organization for 18 months.The GDAA has been the group pushing for Aussie game developers to receive the 40% tax break currently bestowed upon their film-making brethren. The group is trying to prevent the continent from being left behind as various nations and states lure game developers with yummy tax breaks. Mmmmmm, tax breaks.
Australia to foster PSP game development
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Game Developer's Association of Australia are teaming up to give PSP gamers more original games. The two companies will work together to foster development teams specifically for the PSP platform.Zeno Colaco, SCEE's Vice President commented, "SCEE are excited to work closely with the GDAA to kick start this initiative in the region. PSP has rapidly established itself as a global format for today's digital consumer. Our goal with this programme is to nurture new talent and widen the spectrum of content providers with traditional and new products which use the full breath of PSP's powerful functionality."This seems like a win-win situation for everyone involved: the Australian games scene is certainly ready to boom, and PSP gamers are always eager for original content, regardless of what EA thinks.[Via IGN]
