The Game Developers Association of Australia (GDAA), the governing body for the Australian Videogame Industry, announced that Australian videogame companies are planning ahead and looking for talent at this years GDC to help fuel the booming games industry Downunder in years to come. During GDC 2005 in San Francisco, California (March 7-11, 2005), interested parties wishing to learn more are asked to stop by and visit the BigWorld Booth # 827 or Auran Booth # CP160 and talk with the GDAA executives.
The Australian videogame industry, which already features a huge talent pool due to the ongoing convergence of the videogame and film industries in Australia, is growing at such a fast pace that studios are looking a few years down the road and snapping up todays talent in order to be ready for tomorrow.
This includes talent from the U.S., said Evelyn Richardson, exec director, GDAA. Talented people are attracted to Australia because of our reputation for high quality work, original IP, and the vibrant fast-growing games environment not to mention all the benefits of living in one of the most spectacular countries in the world.
The Australian education system also nurtures the videogame industry with many electronic entertainment courses ranging from diplomas to Masters Degrees that are producing hundreds of graduates annually. There are more than 20 universities and colleges including specialist game schools such as the Academy of Interactive Entertainment and QANTM offering games courses.
Even though Australia produces excellent talent for the videogame industry, we are always on the hunt for experienced game development professionals. Our studios take every opportunity to meet with some of the best in the industry at events like GDC to entice them to Australia, said Richardson.
At GDC 2005, Australian developers will also be pitching for lucrative development business from some of the worlds biggest publishers, and presenting some of their self-financed original IP titles.
Some of the studios currently recruiting include:Tantalus (www.tantalus.com.au)Auran (www.auran.com)BigWorld (www.bigworldtech.com)Blue Tongue (A THQ company) (www.bluetongue.com)IR Gurus Interactive (www.irgurus.com)Ratbag (www.ratbaggames.com)
The Game Developers Association of Australia (GDAA) was established in December 1999 and comprises corporate members from game development companies and educational institutions, Associate Corporate Members (in service sectors that support the industry), individuals and students. Current membership includes companies and institutions from all over Australia and the U.S. The main purpose of the GDAA is to increase the profile of the Australian interactive game industry both domestically and internationally in order to represent the interests of GDAA members, attract capital and publishers from offshore, retain and grow talent in our local industry, and promote a sense of community within the industry. For more information, visit www.gdaa.com.au.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
