Dunedin's "gravitational pull" in the gaming industry could result in the city become an industry-leading developer in digital health innovation.
In an update report submitted to the Dunedin City Council, the company outlined its plans to expand to a national level, establish its headquarters in Dunedin and seize opportunities putting the city at the forefront of an invaluable industry.
Wearable digital technology, self-managed rehabilitation and greater access to health records were a few of the innovations game development could apply to public health.
This had excited the start-up community. Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand had expressed interest.
Code chief executive Tim Ponting said Dunedin had "quite a head start" in the game development industry.
"We’re at the beginning of a journey, but we are the architects and builders leading the foundations for the industry here.
"Dunedin is a great place to live and start a business, particularly when it’s a weightless export," Mr Ponting said.
The company supported 25 studios, making Dunedin second only to Auckland in the number of game development studios in New Zealand.
Code chairman Murray Strong said Dunedin had the chance to take the lead on national developments and Code was resolved to continue this.
He said the professional, scientific and technology sectors accounted for 16%-17% of Dunedin’s gross domestic product. Code had targets to expand this to more than 20%.
City councillors raised questions about the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the game development sector.
"Things like ChatGPT worry me, but they also provide opportunity for things to be done more quickly," Mr Strong said.
Mr Ponting shared Mr Strong’s concerns about the ethics of AI, but said the technology could be used responsibly as part of a whole toolset.
Cr Lee Vandervis emphasised the opportunities this technology presented and the effect it would have on gaming.
"This is not just another tool, this is a revolution and we really need to try and stay on the forefront and ride the wave of it."
Mr Ponting said he expected a large amount of routine programming work would be carried out by generative AI in only a matter of months.
He said the power was there to do both "really bad and really good things".
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said the "interconnecting spokes" of Code’s work would make a big difference to the city and could make Dunedin the tech centre of New Zealand.
