South Australia’s games industry was showcased at World Expo as part of the South Australian Government’s $1 million partnership with the Australian Government.
Taking part in ‘Learning and Playing Week’ at World Expo, South Australian games studios, supported by the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA), the Office of the Arts and the Department of State Development’s Invest SA team, had the opportunity to network with global games representatives at the Australia Pavilion.
The event launched a new Australia-wide website in relation to the Australian games industry to enable international companies to easily access information relating to the sector – www.gameonaustralia.com
Japan is the third largest market for video games worldwide, with an estimated 75 million consumers spending US$16.3 billion dollars on video games in 2024.
Two South Australian games studios were selected to showcase their games to representatives from around the world – Ortum Games demonstrated ‘Belt it Out’, a hyper-casual mobile game and Jonniemadeit demonstrated ‘Uncle Unco’, South Australian Emerging Game of the Year, and ‘Plumbo’, with both studios promoting South Australian game development to the world.
Ortum Games was co-founded by Adam Klappers and Lawrence Rosal. Belt it Out is a fast-paced puzzle game moving resources from point to point and Jonniemadeit, owned by Jonathon Anderson-Wills, has developed Uncle Unco, a cute, fluffy, loveable character who can’t catch a break – or his bus – as he dodges hazards with a unique control system and races to the bus stop.
His other game, Plumbo, features goofy gizmos and charming tunes as you dodge danger and outwit machines in a world where nothing is quite what it seems.
As a leader in game production investment, South Australia offers a competitive advantage to studios looking to establish in the state. The South Australian Video Game Rebate enables a 10 per cent rebate on development costs incurred in South Australia on eligible projects with a minimum expenditure of $250,000.
The Digital Games Tax Offset is a 30 per cent refundable tax offset delivered by the Australian Government.
Developers meeting eligibility criteria can claim both rebates.
