Government Funding
Ongoing coverage on Government Funding.
Latest coverage
New Zealand games sector hits $1bn revenue two years earlier than anticipated
New Zealand's game development industry has surpassed $1 billion in revenue, two years ahead of projections, driven by government initiatives like the Game Development Sector Rebate and Centre of Digital Excellence funding. The sector experienced significant growth in revenue and workforce size, contributing substantially to the country's GDP and presenting an opportunity for economic insulation.
How Brazil's government boosts the local game industry
Brazil's government is actively supporting its burgeoning game industry through an infrastructural approach that goes beyond traditional tax credits. Initiatives like the Brazil Games export program, managed by Abragames and funded by Apex Brazil, aim to boost the country's game development sector by framing it as a key export economy. This strategy, combined with existing tax incentives and lobbying for public fund mechanisms, aims to provide financial stability for both indie developers and external development studios, leveraging the favorable exchange rate to attract international investment.
The US government is pumping $2,000,000,000 in CHIPS and Science Act money into quantum computing firms
The US Department of Commerce is allocating over $2 billion through the CHIPS and Science Act to nine quantum computing companies, including significant investments in IBM and GlobalFoundries. This initiative aims to bolster the nation's leadership in quantum technology and semiconductor manufacturing, with companies like D-Wave and Rigetti Computing also receiving substantial funding.
German game industry employment drops 3%, marking second year of decline
Employment in the German games industry has fallen by 3% to 12,235, marking the second consecutive year of decline. Despite this, the number of game companies has increased by 4% to 956, with growth strongest in development-only studios. Industry leaders attribute the sector's resilience amidst global consolidation to government support programs.
Podcast: Roblox, Hollywood, and London Games Week
The GamesIndustry.biz podcast returns, discussing highlights from London Games Week, new UK government funding for the games industry, alleged revenue figures from a Rockstar Games hack, and Roblox's new parental controls alongside a child safety lawsuit settlement. The episode also previews an upcoming interview with Peter Molyneux about his career and his final game, Masters of Albion.
UK government commits £28.5 million to supporting local game developers
The UK government has committed £28.5 million to support its domestic video game industry through the UK Games Fund. This funding aims to boost economic growth by providing grants for new companies, game prototyping, and scaling up studios. An additional £1.5 million will support the London Games Festival over three years.
The rise, fall, and resurgence of Australian game development
The Australian game development industry has experienced a significant resurgence, transitioning from major studio closures after the 2008 financial crisis to a thriving indie scene supported by government tax incentives and funding. Despite challenges like a smaller talent pool, government initiatives like the Digital Games Tax Offset have made Australia an attractive investment destination, fostering growth for both indie and larger studios.
Evening Safety Dance
The Register reports that Donald Trump intends to cut $707 million from the budget of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This proposed reduction is part of a broader plan to decrease government spending.
EVERSPACE TEAM RECEIVES MULTI-MILLION EURO GRANT FOR NEXT PROJECT
ROCKFISH Games has received an €8 million grant from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space for the development of the next title in the EVERSPACE franchise. This funding, the largest of its kind for a German game developer, will support the creation of new roles and expand the scope of the upcoming project. CEO Michael Schade highlighted the importance of this investment for Germany's growing role as a game development hub.