Screen Australia’s Investment in the Australian Games Sector
Screen Australia, a government agency, announced a $2 million investment in September to support the Australian games sector, as part of a larger $12 million commitment to game development made in January. This investment is crucial for nurturing talent and providing a pathway to other IT and innovation sectors.
Deirdre Brennan, CEO of Screen Australia, emphasized the agency’s commitment to fostering growth and innovation within Australia’s games industry through this investment. By supporting local developers and small to medium studios, Screen Australia aims to solidify Australia’s position as a global leader in independent game-making.
As Australia grapples with an IT skills shortage, strengthening the game industry can help bridge the talent gap.
From Games to NASA
In 2017, Opaque Space, an Australian game developer, transitioned from creating games to collaborating with NASA on developing virtual reality training modules. This shift highlighted the broader impact of video game skills and underscored Australia’s ambition to lead in space technology.
While Opaque Space is no longer active, the fusion of video game development principles with space tech remains part of Australia’s innovation legacy.
Game Development: A Source of Talent
Game development serves as an attractive entry point for individuals with software design and IT skills, offering a demanding yet effective way to train talent quickly. Ross Symons, CEO of Big Ant, a prominent game developer in Australia, emphasized the value of games programming and development in building essential skills.
Many game developers eventually transition to enterprise software roles, with former Big Ant Studios employees landing senior positions in companies like Microsoft, Google, and Tesla.
This career transition showcases the talent pool cultivated by the gaming industry, which can address the IT skills shortage in Australia and beyond.
A Source of ‘Brain Drain’
The movement of former Big Ant staff to the U.S. highlights the challenges faced by Australia’s gaming and IT sectors, often leading to a ‘brain drain’ as talent seeks opportunities abroad. However, recent research shows a significant increase in full-time workers in game development in Australia, offering opportunities to retain talent domestically.
To attract talent back to Australia, stability and investment in the gaming industry are essential, especially in a post-COVID world. Building pathways for game developers to transition into enterprise roles can also help address the IT skills shortage in the nation.
Expanding knowledge of enterprise software technologies, gaining experience in frameworks like .NET and Spring Boot, and obtaining certifications in enterprise tools are crucial steps for game developers looking to transition into the corporate world. The demanding nature of the gaming industry cultivates quick learners and adaptable individuals, making it a potential feeder to solve IT skills shortages in enterprises, provided sustained investment in building the gaming industry continues.
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