Jobs in New Zealand Games Industry: FY2015

The New Zealand game development sector experienced moderate growth during the 2015 fiscal year, characterized by an increase in high-tech employment despite a stagnation in the formation of new businesses. An independent survey conducted by Tim Thorpe Consulting for the New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA) reveals that the industry generated $78.7 million in revenue, representing a 3% increase over the previous year. Digital exports remained the primary economic driver, accounting for 82% of total sector revenue.

Employment figures showed positive momentum, with studios adding 134 new full-time positions, bringing the total workforce to 568 employees. However, the data highlights a concerning trend regarding industry sustainability: established studios continue to perform well, but the pipeline for new, scalable businesses has effectively stalled. Every local studio with more than 10 employees has been in operation for at least six years, suggesting a significant barrier to entry for emerging developers.

To address these challenges, the NZGDA has launched the KiwiGameStarter program to provide funding, mentorship, and resources to early-stage startups. Furthermore, the industry is advocating for policy reform, specifically requesting that the government modernize the Postproduction, Digital and Visual Effects scheme. By expanding eligibility to include game-related visual effects, the sector aims to attract high-margin, multi-million dollar international productions. The findings are based on responses from 27 New Zealand game development companies for the period ending March 31, 2015.