MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
The Age’s ScreenPlay blog has Stephan Shutze as a guest writer today, delivering a very positive outlook for the Australian game development scene.
Shutze, who is the director and sound designer of Australian company Sound Library, says the benefit of the studio closures over the last 18 months frees developers from the constraints they’ve felt from the overseas hands which have been feeding them.
Shutze said: "Australia currently has more people working in the industry than ever before, and a large number of extras waiting in the wings. I have students producing projects that are more fun and better polished than games I have paid money for."
"Of course there are people losing their jobs through studio closures, and of course there are people leaving the industry for good.I am calling it, right here right now: the Australian games industry is not dead. It’s not even wounded."
"Australia is currently dominating much of the world market in mobile and casual gaming and I believe there is a lot more of this to come if events like Freeplay are anything to go by."
"I would also suggest that if the Australian industry evolves into a group of creative individuals who gather for certain projects, contract, produce and then move on; it will not only continue to grow, but will find itself in an ideal position globally."
"Teething is a painful part of growing up, but the ultimate result frees you from the reliance on the teat that has been drip-feeding you."
Stephan Shutze was a speaker at this year’s Freeplay 2011 festival in Melbourne, and has been working in the local industry for over 10 years.
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