Five Western Australian game studios will attend the world’s biggest computer and video games event in Cologne, Germany for Gamescom 2022, thanks to a $50,000 McGowan Government grant.
WA game studios Black Lab, Hungry Sky, Big Bench Games, SpaceDraft and EarthLingo will attend the event from 24 to 28 August 2022, alongside Screenwest and the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association, who are hosting an Australian pavilion stand at the event.
The grant complements a $2 million boost for the digital games and interactive industry by the McGowan Government.
Administered by Screenwest, the pilot funding will enable WA game studios to access the recently announced Federal Digital Games Tax Offset for eligible projects.
The funding will boost the growth of WA’s digital games sector by supporting content development, capability development and strategic industry building opportunities.
The creative industries provide significant economic and cultural benefits to WA, and the McGowan Government is committed to growing and fostering the development of the gaming and interactive technologies sectors as a key part of its economic diversification strategy.
Australia is the official partner country of this year’s Gamescom. The pavilion stand is also supported by Austrade, Screen Queensland, Trade and Investment Queensland, Investment New South Wales, Creative Victoria, South Australian Department for Trade and Investment, South Australian Film Corporation, Screen Tasmania, and Tasmanian Department of State Growth.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
“The digital games industry is large and growing rapidly. This investment will enable WA game developers to support content development and access worldwide markets.
“The games and interactive technology industry can provide significant economic and cultural benefits to WA. Games and immersive technologies present a major opportunity for economic diversification of the State, as identified in the Diversify WA economic development framework.
“WA’s presence at Gamescom 2022 will provide valuable networking opportunities and showcase WA game studios on the international stage.”
