The Australian Gaming Industry: Rising to Global Prominence

The Australian gaming industry, once a relatively small player in the global market, has seen incredible growth and innovation over the years. From humble beginnings in the 1980s to becoming a key contributor to the worldwide gaming scene today, Australia’s gaming landscape has evolved significantly. In this blog, we’ll take a deep dive into the history, growth, and current state of the Australian gaming industry, exploring some of the major players and challenges that shape this dynamic sector.

A Brief History of Australian Game Development

Australia’s gaming industry dates back to the early 1980s when the first Australian game developers began creating titles for personal computers and arcade machines. In these early days, studios like Beam Software (founded in Melbourne) and Micro Forte (based in Canberra) were among the first to introduce locally developed games to the market. Beam Software became known for its development of games like The Hobbit and the Mad Max video game, both of which are considered early milestones in Australian game development.

In the 1990s, as the industry grew, larger studios like Auran Games and Krome Studios emerged. Auran, known for the development of titles like Trainz and Dark Reign, helped solidify Australia's position as a growing hub for game development. However, it wasn’t until the 2000s that the industry really started to gain global recognition, especially with the rise of indie game development.

The Rise of Indie Game Development

In recent years, Australian game developers have made a significant impact in the global market, thanks to the rise of indie game development. The growing availability of game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine, along with the success of crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, has allowed smaller teams to create groundbreaking games. Australian indie developers are now recognized for their creativity, innovation, and the unique experiences they offer.

One standout example of Australian indie success is House House and their hit game Untitled Goose Game (2019). The game’s quirky, mischievous gameplay, where players control a goose wreaking havoc on a small village, captured the hearts of players worldwide. The game’s success helped draw international attention to the talent emerging from Australia’s indie game scene.

Another notable indie title is Hollow Knight (2017), developed by Team Cherry, an indie studio based in Adelaide. Hollow Knight is a critically acclaimed Metroidvania game that was praised for its atmospheric world-building, challenging gameplay, and captivating art style. The game has become one of the best-selling indie games of all time, further solidifying Australia’s role in the global gaming industry.

Major Australian Game Studios

Australia is home to several prominent game studios, ranging from independent developers to large companies with a global presence. Here are some of the key players in the Australian gaming industry:

1. Krome Studios
   Based in Brisbane, Krome Studios is one of Australia’s largest and most well-known game development companies. Established in 2000, Krome Studios has worked on both AAA and indie titles across various genres. Some of their notable projects include the Ty the Tasmanian Tiger series, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, and The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon. Krome Studios has built a reputation for creating high-quality games and has worked with major publishers like EA and Activision.

2. Firemint (Now part of EA)
   Firemint, based in Melbourne, is another iconic Australian game studio, best known for its mobile titles. One of their most famous creations is Flight Control, which became one of the top-selling mobile games in 2009. Their Real Racing series has also been a huge success, making Firemint a significant name in the mobile gaming world. In 2011, the studio was acquired by EA, where it became part of the EA Mobile division.

3. Team Cherry
   Team Cherry is an indie studio based in Adelaide, best known for the incredible success of Hollow Knight. The game’s success has garnered the studio a loyal fan base and critical acclaim, putting them at the forefront of Australia’s indie gaming scene. Despite their small team size, Team Cherry has proven that small studios can make a big impact on the global stage.

4. Wargaming.net Sydney
   Wargaming, the developer behind the World of Tanks series, has a major studio in Sydney. This studio focuses on creating high-quality, multiplayer experiences and is part of Wargaming's global expansion efforts. World of Tanks and its offshoots have amassed millions of players worldwide, making Wargaming.net Sydney an important part of Australia's game development industry.

5. Aussie Game Studios & Indie Creators
   In addition to the larger studios, Australia is home to a thriving community of indie developers who continue to create unique, innovative experiences. These developers are responsible for creating a variety of indie games that push boundaries and take risks with gameplay. Studios such as SMG Studio (known for Death Squared and Overcooked 2), The Voxel Agents (creators of The Gardens Between), and Big Ant Studios (famous for their sports titles) all contribute to the growing and diverse gaming scene in Australia.

Challenges Facing the Australian Gaming Industry

Despite its growth, the Australian gaming industry faces several challenges that can make it difficult for developers to succeed and thrive. Some of these challenges include:

1. Lack of Government Support
   One of the primary challenges for the Australian gaming industry is the lack of substantial government funding. Unlike Canada or the UK, which have well-established game development grants and tax incentives, Australian developers often struggle to secure financial support for their projects. While there are some grants available, they are highly competitive and not always sufficient for large-scale game production.

2. Geographical Isolation
   Australia’s geographic isolation from other major gaming hubs like North America and Europe can make it difficult for local developers to access international markets. While digital distribution platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store have made it easier for developers to sell their games worldwide, the time zone differences and logistical hurdles can still pose challenges, especially for indie studios.

3. Talent Retention and Training
   Despite the industry’s growth, Australia faces difficulties in retaining top talent. Many developers are lured by higher-paying opportunities in countries with more established game industries, such as the United States or the UK. This talent drain can be especially hard for smaller studios that rely on highly skilled individuals to bring their creative visions to life.

4. Competition from Global Players
   Australia is also competing with the biggest gaming markets in the world, including the United States, Japan, and South Korea. While Australian studios have made significant strides in indie game development, competing with well-established international companies can still be daunting for local developers, especially when it comes to securing publishing deals or attracting large audiences.

The Future of the Australian Gaming Industry

Despite these challenges, the Australian gaming industry continues to show great promise. As more developers turn to indie game development and embrace digital platforms, there is potential for continued growth and success. The global gaming community is beginning to recognize Australia as a hub of creativity and talent, and as the industry matures, more opportunities for innovation and investment will arise.

The success of games like Untitled Goose Game, Hollow Knight, and Death Squared proves that Australia’s gaming industry has the potential to create world-class experiences. Moreover, the rise of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) gaming presents new opportunities for Australian developers to push the boundaries of immersive gaming experiences.

With the growing support from international publishers, investors, and the continued passion from developers, Australia is well on its way to becoming a leading player in the global gaming industry.

Conclusion

The Australian gaming industry has come a long way from its humble beginnings and is now a global force to be reckoned with. From large studios like Krome Studios to small indie developers like Team Cherry, Australia has shown that creativity, innovation, and a passion for gaming are at the heart of the industry’s success. While challenges remain, the future of Australian game development is bright, and we can expect even more exciting, world-class games to emerge from Down Under in the years to come.