Oz Gov Neglects Games Industry
Australian IT has posted a sobering report that claims this year an estimated $500 million will be spent by Australian gamers on software alone. You would think that this compares more than favourably to an ABS verified 1999-2000 figure of $679 million on box office receipts for cinemas. However, when it comes to industry support from the government in the form of grants and handouts, it’s a different story:
The federal Budget allocated $20.5 million to the Australian Film Commission (AFC) for 2002-03, and provides generous tax incentives to those investing in the Australian film industry…The AFC provides some funding for “interactive projects” - including video games, interactive television and broadband content - but it pales in comparison to funding for traditional film and television.A grand total of $500,000 was allocated from the fund for so called “interactive projects”, most of which probably weren’t games. It may be wishful thinking, but there seems to be a huge opportunity being missed to support the local gaming industry - as the job post below demonstrates.
posted by devo · at 10:45 am · filed under News