Philip Mayes

We are seeing the renaissance of the Australian games industry. New studios are opening, existing ones are expanding, and Australian games are topping charts all around the world. Even the Federal government is talking about us!

But if we look a little deeper, there are some troubling signs. The four largest studios are owned by overseas companies. The breakout hits of the last few years were all published by overseas publishers. The rapid expansion risks diluting our talent pool.

It feels like our industry is at a tipping point. This is a moment of great opportunity, but also great risk. Have we learned from the mistakes of the past? Or are we doomed to repeat them?

I find this moment to be both exhilarating, and terrifying! Like it or not, the large publishers are returning, and that raises the bar for all of us. So how can we compete? What opportunities are there for studios that want to scale and grow, to build a billion dollar brand that is Australian owned?

I will attempt to answer these questions and more, by taking stock of where we are, what opportunities we have in our immediate future, and what plans we can make for the long term to create a robust, resilient, and diverse industry.

Talk: Where to from here? Putting the spotlight on the Australian games industry

Speaker: Philip Mayes

Our industry has come so far since the lows of the post-GFC collapse. We have rebuilt an industry that is far more diverse and resilient than what came before. We have proven that world class games can be made in Australia. And the world has been paying attention.

Change is coming. Publishers are coming back. Companies are being bought. Consolidation is happening. Subscription platforms have started a gold rush for content. New consoles are just around the corner, and streaming services want to eliminate consoles altogether!

Are we prepared for this new era? Have we invested in the right areas? Are the foundations we have built strong enough to withstand another global recession?

In this talk I will attempt to answer these questions (and more), by taking stock of where the industry currently stands, and what we can do to take advantage of the opportunities that the future holds.

Game Connect Asia Pacific 2019: Lighting The Way

Game Connect Asia Pacific is Australia's premier games development conference and a part of Melbourne International Games Week.

Situated in Melbourne, Australia during October, GCAP is world-renowned for its talks, collaboration, expression, networking and inclusive environment.

Video courtesy of GCAP and the Game Developers' Association of Australia.

www.gcap.com.au