Funding boost for video games industry

Five local studios have been granted $50,000 to attend a computer and video games event in Germany, while $2 million has been allocated to help the industry access federal tax offsets.

The $2 million in pilot funding, to be administered by Screenwest, has been earmarked to help game studios access the federal Digital Games Tax Offsets.

The federal government initiative, introduced in July 2022, offers a 20 per cent refundable tax offset for eligible businesses which spend a minimum of $500,000 on qualifying games expenditure.

Screenwest chief executive Rikki Lea Bestall said there was demand for screen content globally and this funding would assist Western Australia’s small but vibrant digital games sector grow.

Meanwhile, Black Lab, Hungry Sky, Big Bench Games, SpaceDraft and EarthLingo have been selected to attend Gamescom 2022 in Germany in late August, with Screenwest and the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association.

Culture and Arts Minister David Templeman said the investment would 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,” Mr Templeman said.

“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.”

It is anticipated the sector will get a further boost when the state government’s film studio and screen production facility is built, with initial communications indicating it will support the immersive technology and video games industry.