Announced at this weekend's Australian Games Development Conference (AGDC) in Melbourne, Brumby says the funding is a part of the Bracks Government's second computer game industry plan. Called "Game Plan: The Next Level", according to Brumby it reaffirms the Victorian State Government's local commitment to the industry, which is ongoing.
The Bracks Government is investing $500,000 in our computer game industry to ensure Victoria remains a world hot-spot for computer game development," Mr Brumby said today.
"Victoria is already home to half of Australia's computer game industry - employing more than 300 people - and the State Government is committed to further supporting local companies' development.
Brumby was quick to highlight the economic benefits of supporting high-tech industries like interactive entertainment.
"The worldwide computer game industry is worth $20 billion a year, and in the past two years, with the support of the Government through our Game Plan initiative, the Victorian industry's share of that revenue has grown substantially.
Mr Brumby said new initiatives of "Game Plan: The Next Level included investigating options for industry to establish a motion-capture facility in Melbourne and exploring methods of supporting the local creation of computer game content, which is has not reached its full potential.
Mr Brumby said the A$500K commitment delivered on many of the initiatives outlined in last year's 'Game Plan".
These include:
* $250,000 to support local companies' access to computer game developer kits;
* $50,000 to complete a feasibility study into establishing a computer games incubator in Melbourne;
* $150,00 towards establishing the Game Developers Association of Australia headquarters in Melbourne;
* $50,000 for the successful Trade Fairs and Missions Program, with a particular emphasis on computer game events.
According to Brumby, computer games development is far more than just an interesting distraction for tech-savvy young persons. The monetary benefits of supporting such activities in a business fashion are now being aggressively pursued. Brumby elaborates:
"The Bracks Government commitment to the Victorian computer game industry recognises that interactive entertainment is helping power the high-tech economy of the 21st century," he said.
"Every new computer game developed in this state represents an investment of about A$3 million and the potential to create up to 30 additional jobs."
