The Australian games industry's journey back to a "complete healthy ecosystem"

gamesindustry.biz:

Melbourne International Games Week 2023 felt like a triumphant return to form for physical events in Australia, marking a record year for the week-long celebration of all things gaming.

There were over 58 events held during this ninth edition (versus 33 last year), plus record attendance for PAX Australia and conference Games Connect Asia Pacific, which both run alongside MIGW at the beginning of October.

"It's lovely to welcome back the regulars, and it's wonderful to see new [faces], and a lot of imaginative thinking from organisations this year," says Fran Kerlin, senior manager for digital games and fashion at MIGW organiser Creative Victoria.

Following the event's successful return in 2022, AU$2 million was allocated to the expansion of MIGW for 2023 and 2024, as part of a AU$5.25 million funding boost for the games industry in the state of Victoria. And the effects of this boost could be felt this year.

"It allows us to look at more events, it allows us to work with partners to amplify those events," Kerlin says about the funding. "[MIGW] became like the house that Jack built; things were bolted on and bolted on and [we've] expanded to arguably make it the premier games event in South East Asia."

MIGW held the very first Australian international market representing the games sector this year, Play Now, put together by funding body VicScreen and connecting 39 developers with over 60 publishers and platform holders including Sony, Devolver, and more.

"It was really important to ensure that this was a national event and that we could project this market to the world," VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher tells us.

Lise Leitner, VicScreen's coordinator of games and digital media, adds: "We have devs from interstate