Victorian government helps out Aussie studios

One of the biggest points of concern for the Australian game development industry continues to be the ongoing lack of support from federal and state governments, whose financial involvement could help stem the declining state of the game development scene locally.

However, at least one state government is sitting up and taking notice--the Victorian Government announced in October last year that it would be introducing the Film Victoria Games Investment funding scheme, aimed at giving Victorian game developers financial security in the shape of up to A$100,000 per project. Interested parties had until October 29, 2010, to apply for the first round of the scheme, with funding to go toward a full game for distribution on any platform (including home console, PC, online, iPhone, and iPad), or a prototype to show potential publishers.

The results of this first round have now been announced, with Wicked Witch Software, Brawsome, Play-Bit Entertainment, Big Ant Studios, and Ivan Dickson and Greg Sharp all sharing the A$330,000 grant money for individual projects (listed below).

"By investing in five commercially appealing projects, we are assisting game developers to create content that attracts overseas interest, generates further investment opportunities, and stimulates the global market," Innovation, Services, and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said in a press statement.

Brawsome's Andrew Goulding, who will receive funding for a puzzle adventure game titled Urban Wolf, said the Victorian Government is providing the opportunity for small game developers to get on their feet.

"The beauty of the Film Victoria funding, as different from publisher funding, is that the developer gets to keep the IP, meaning the control stays with the company that is doing the hard work to develop the game and allows them to move away from the hand-to-mouth model of game development that sent so many large Australian games companies under in the last few years," Goulding told GameSpot AU.

"The alternative to publisher funding is to get venture capital or private investment, but you need to sign away a good chunk if not all of your company to do this and prove a way you’re going to make big return on their investment in a certain period of time. So unless you’ve got a rich uncle, opportunities like those offered by Film Victoria are few and far between."

The funded projects are:

Rugby Union by Wicked Witch Software. "This official football game for iPhone will feature all official clubs and players with 3D graphics for arcade gameplay and a range of fun activities and minigames," the studio said.

Urban Wolf by Brawsome. "A puzzle adventure game for PC/Mac/iPhone/iPad, where players help a magician escape unique puzzling rooms using the power of a mysterious amulet," the studio said.

Puzzle Treasure by Play-Bit Entertainment. "A free-to-play social game for Facebook that challenges players and their friends to solve, create, and share 2D dissection puzzles," the studio said.

Table Top Cricket by Big Ant Studios. "This PlayStation Network and Xbox Live game takes a fun and addictive approach to table top cricket while pushing the online aspects of the consoles and bringing players together in a world cup," the studio said.

Mykola on the Roof by Ivan Dickson and Greg Sharp. "This independent game for the iPad, iPhone, and Web features Mykola, a chimney sweep, who survives in a postindustrial world gone berserk by making friends and taming beasts," the developers said.