New Victorian Government games initiative is a boost to the industry, but is it enough?

The Victorian Government has announced a new initiative to provide up to $100,000 to developers to come up with something innovative, but given the current strength of the dollar, is it going to be enough?

According to a report on Tsumea, the Victorian Government has announced the Games Investment Program. It is designed to assist games developers to create a diverse range of games for any distribution platform with an emphasis on technical, creative or design innovation.

Up to $100,000 is available through the program, although the number cannot exceed 50 per cent of the overall project budget. Two projects per year will be supported by the initiative.

The specific eligibility criteria, as reported by Tsumea, is:

Individual applicants

Australian citizen or permanent resident
Lived in Victoria for at least the last six months
Ownership / control of 100 per cent of copyright in a project, or shared ownership and/or control of copyright under an approved joint venture arrangement
Knowledge, resources and expertise required to complete the project
Experienced team attached to the project
Proof of necessary licences, approvals and development kits (where applicable)
Company applicants

Incorporated in Australia and based in Victoria
Ownership / control of 100 per cent of copyright in the project, or shared ownership and/or control of copyright under an approved joint venture arrangement
Knowledge, resources and expertise required to complete the project
Experienced team attached to the project
Proof of necessary licences, approvals and development kits (where applicable)
The majority of the development work for the project must be undertaken in Victoria and use Victorian talent for the project to be eligible for investment.

The big question, however, is this: is this initiative going to be enough to give the industry the shot in the arm it desperately needs?

I would content probably not. The problem games developers face in the local market is an Australian dollar that is likely to hang around parity with the US dollar for the short to medium term.

Like any industry that relies so heavily on export, this is essentially $0.15-$0.20 higher than the local companies would perhaps like. Given that the Australian games development scene is also, relatively speaking, a fledgling one, those less than ideal conditions are not going to be mitigated by a $100,000 grant.

Mind you, startup iPhone or iPad developers might benefit from e program, getting a cash injection that will allow them to get the game out there in the first place.