Games business website, MCV.com, has an article comparing the surprisingly different tastes between Australian and New Zealand gamers. While Nintendo consoles remain a dominant choice for Australian gamers, the Playstation 3 reigns supreme for our cross tasman friends. Most interestly about the MCV article is the input from various local developers on the gaming markets, current issues, and the development industries in the two countries.
Sidhe Interactive managing director, Mario Wynands, had this to say about the New Zealand game development scene...
"The New Zealand development community is small but growing rapidly," he explains. "There are over 20 different development studios, although most operate in the mobile, PC casual, Flash or handheld spaces."
I'm beached bro!!!
Makes me wonder when the "I'm beached bro..." game will be released...
Oh snap!
OH SNAP BRO!
Seriously though focusing on small budget/team size games is a very secure business strategy. A studio that has 3 or 4 separate short term projects can whether more blows then a studio working on just 1 big console title.
With online arcades like Steam, XBOX live, PSN network and the iPhone the market can support those who have good game ideas and wish to start on the small scale of games development. Developers can make a living and niche for themselves this way.
Infinite interactive is a good example of an Australian studio taking this approach.