Big Australian Game Developers in the Brink of Destruction?
No, Australian developers are not prepping a first-person shooter titled "brink of destruction."
Australian developers are closing shops and are in danger of extinction. At least that is what looks like for KMM Brisbane that closed shop last Friday while some have thrived like Halfbrick Studios, makers of Fruit Ninja, according to ABC Melbourne.
The ABC article notes many high-profile game studios have shut down in the past few years starting with Pandemic Studios in 2009, Krome Studios in 2010, THQ Brisbae and Melbourne, EA's Visceral Games and Team Bondi at 2011. KMM Brisbane has just finished a game based on the movie Happy Feet.
Jason Stark, KMM Brisbane's art director, in an interview with ABC Melbourne, cites three main reasons Australian game developers are shutting down: the rise of the Australian dollar, tax breaks for game Developers in Canada and middle-ground games.
Industry Gamers notes that the Quebec government subsidizes 37.5% of a video game studio's payroll. The incentive has led to many publishers and developers to increase the size of their Canadian branches.
"They're hiring like crazy [in Canada] and that's where a lot of local talent is flocking to ... where streets are paved with video game gold," said Stark.