The Dunedin video game industry took a leap forward yesterday.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between Japanese video games company JP Games and the recently announced Centre of Digital Excellence (Code).
Dunedin City Council economic development programme manager Fraser Liggett said it was an exciting opportunity for Dunedin to expand its gaming industry and meet global players.
‘‘JP Games are a big company and it’s a real opportunity for us to meet and create a billion-dollar gaming industry, which is our goal.’’
Mr Liggett said the end goal was to have gaming studios in Dunedin, creating work and helping to boost the Dunedin economy and presence on the international gaming stage.
‘‘This could be the start of something big for us and provide us with some global connections.’’
Code working group chairman Murray Strong said the memorandum would provide a basis for developing links between JP Games and Code in computer game development.
‘‘The Code project team have met with the founder and chief executive officer Hajime Tabata, who has confirmed they have similar values to Code and an interest in Dunedin’s wider creative economy and institutions.’’
Code was looking to create sector networks and a national and international ecosystem which supported Dunedin and New Zealand game developers, critical to helping grow a $1billion industry, Mr Strong said.
JP Games founder Hajime Tabata said JP Games were interested in activities that involved taking on new challenges.
‘‘We hope our collaboration with Code presents us both with stimulating challenges to conquer.’’
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While new and growing industry in Dunedin is certainly a plus, I believe there is too much emphasis on gaming tech. DCC likes to get in and back the tech startups, but I see little if nothing of any business parks where small business startups can get going. Manufacture and process is a proven export earner and employer. The skills learnt at PolyTech should also include a way for the students to start their own business in manufacturing and design. Their are also others out there who have a lifetime of skills, but not the massive amounts of cash required to get themselves going. Lack of workshop space and high rental being the biggest barriers. Tech has the advantage of a small space, a desk, computer, very low ACC and compliance costs, but are we all destined to sit at screens doing very little with our hands?