Did you know Melbourne boasts more than half of Australia’s game -industry? Is it any surprise that Melbourne also hosts the largest digital games celebration in the Asia Pacific, Melbourne International Games Week. MIGW runs 2 to 10 October this year with a packed digital program that celebrates the fun and fantasy of games as well as exploring games for good, games as art and games that grow industry and business.

The Rise of Victorian Games

On the cutting edge of creative technology, digital games are very big business. From console giants to mobile chartbusters, entertainment to training and education, pure distraction to complex strategy, the games industry is multi-faceted and ubiquitous. Globally, the digital games industry generates US$60.7 billion a year, surpassing film box office, music and DVD sales - and it's growing exponentially.

Victoria also produces more than 1,000 graduates a year in disciplines ranging from programming to animation, multimedia design, digital art, and design. Their career is ripe with opportunities at home grown studios Hipster Whale, House House, Playside Studios, League of Geeks and Zero Latency, or global leaders such as Firemonkey EA and Sledgehammer Games.

Melbourne is home to 170 of Australia’s 200 digital games studios, where 87 per cent of revenue is generated from soaring overseas sales. Growth is being accelerated by international studios that are acquiring and expanding Melbourne’s world-class resources. 

Global powerhouse Keywords Studios that has worked on some of the most iconic video games enjoyed by millions around the world, such as Fortnite, Mortal Kombat, League of Legends and Halo, has chosen Melbourne for its Australian base. The attraction of Keywords Studios follows the launch of VICSCREEN a four year, $191.5 million strategy to reshape Victoria into a global powerhouse for screen across games, film, television and online content.

SAE and The Arcade join forces to level-up grad outcomes

Opportunities are growing for game developers, with the national hub of video games talent, The Arcade, and SAE  teaming up to offer an immersive learning experience like no other for game design students in Australia.

The partnership follows recent announcements of investments in the video games industry from the Federal and Victorian State Governments. From day one, SAE students from around Australia will get the chance to learn from a multi-skilled community of over 150 talented resident developers in the industry.

SAE General Manager, Dr Luke McMillan, who has a PhD in Game Design, said that this partnership will be invaluable in the development of the next generation of game developers.

“Our students will get first hand experience to engage with game development professionals that are working in the industry,” Dr McMillan said.

“The Arcade is the largest game creation space in Australia. Through this partnership, SAE students will be able to network, whilst bringing added value and talent to developers that they otherwise wouldn’t have had - it’s part of our vision to make sure our graduates are ‘real-world ready’.”

The Arcade is Australia's first not-for-profit, collaborative workspace created specifically for game developers and creative companies. Notable studios residing in The Arcade include Armello developers League of Geeks, and independent game publishing label Fellow Traveller. The organisation is a key component of the industry’s peak body, Interactive Games & Entertainment Association.

“We understand that game development is an increasingly competitive field and the best way to have an edge on the competition is to engage directly with experienced developers while in the early stages of your career,” Ceri said.

“SAE’s vision of delivering industry-ready graduates through industry-focused outcomes directly aligns with The Arcade’s values on supporting and nurturing early-career developers.

“We’re excited to work closely with SAE to unlock the true potential of this year’s immensely talented cohort and provide them with every opportunity needed to succeed in their game development career.”

SAE has had a wealth of successful graduates in recent years who have gone on to have games published by heavy-weights like Nintendo; develop their craft at major studios including Electronic Arts, and  Bandai Namco; and start-up their own niche studios.

One SAE student, Rohith Maddali, has already been taking advantage of the partnership by working on his major project, Spectrum, at The Arcade with 15 other students.

“The opportunity at The Arcade has been one of the best experiences I've ever had whilst studying,” Rohith said.

“Being exposed to so many different students in other disciplines at SAE like animation, audio and design, gave me the platform to have constructive conversations with experienced developers at The Arcade.

“From what we’d learnt at SAE, we were able to understand the suggestions on how to improve the game, and then put that feedback into practice.”

Read more about The Arcade and SAE below.

Melbourne International Games Week

Connecting Games, Technology & Culture from 2 - 10 October 2021

Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW) is Asia Pacific’s largest digital games celebration featuring conferences, events and activities for the games industry, games enthusiasts, the general public and educators. In 2021, MIGW events will be held online for audiences to livestream or participate. 

Join Australian and international influencers, businesses and industry for Melbourne International Games Week – Asia Pacific’s largest digital games celebration – featuring online conferences, workshops, events and activities for the games industry, enthusiasts, educators and public. 

Creative Victoria is the Victorian Government body established to champion and support local games and creative talent and grow the state's creative industries. Explore all the events at MIGW2021.

Victoria’s gaming development sector accounts for 52 per cent of Australia’s gaming workforce,1with the accessible development studios and creative talent that global companies need to create games that make significant returns. Invest Victoria recently hosted a series of webinars about global opportunities for games created by world-leading developers in Victoria. 

Level up and expand your games studio right here in Melbourne

Expand your studio international with Victoria's digital games strategy webinars.

Games development studios eyeing expansion into the Asia-Pacific region should look no further than Australia’s premier tech city, Melbourne. Victoria’s gaming development sector accounts for 52 per cent of Australia’s gaming workforce,1with the accessible development studios and creative talent that global companies need to create games that make significant returns. Find out more about opportunities to:

The Arcade Melbourne

The Arcade is Australia's first, not-for-profit, collaborative workspace created specifically for game developers and creative companies that strive to create a diverse and inclusive community that welcomes everyone. All creative companies using game methodologies and technologies (for example film & television, VR and XR) are welcome at The Arcade.

In 2020, The Arcade merged with the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA), a member-led not-for-profit industry association representing and advocating for Australian and New Zealand companies in the computer and video game industry. This means not only can we provide you space to grow both personally and professionally, you will also experience how we actively work to support and encourage growth for the industry as a whole. Interested in learning more about The Arcade, or considering renting a space? Click through to see what's on offer, and what kind of benefits The Arcade offers.

SAE Creative Media Institute

SAE is a dynamic global institute with high industry credibility, we provide specialist vocational and higher education courses worldwide to inspire and develop our graduates. Delivering programs across seven disciplines – Animation, Audio & Music, Creative Industries, Design, Film, Games, and Web & Mobile. We also offer Postgraduate certificates, diplomas, and a master's program.

2021 marks SAE's 45th anniversary in Australia, celebrating our continuous delivery of world-class creative media education at campuses across the nation. Located in Brisbane, Byron Bay, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, our Australian student body consists of over 2,500 creatives who excel in programs across seven disciplines – Animation, Audio & Music, Creative Industries, Design, Film, Games, and Web & Mobile. We also offer Postgraduate certificates, diplomas, and a master's program.

SAE students, have access to industry-leading campuses, utilise the latest equipment and software, and benefit from our extensive industry network. If you are interested in a future in the creative industries, why not join the #saecrew. Check out the different ways to connect with SAE here. Part of this article was originally published by SAE on 22 September 2021.

 Check out upcoming events on games right here on the DIF Online Event Hub!