Film Victoria

This is the tsumea GDC 2012 Breakfast Club. No, they aren't a rag tag mix-match of high school students but a carefully selected team of the finest games developers that Australia and New Zealand has to offer. And whilst these guys weren't exactly confined to the local high school library, they were instead situated somewhere more chaotic and undoubtedly more stranger.

The first week has ended for the 2011 Play Well Cup, a 6-week Starcraft 2 tournament between local games developers and online/media companies, with all donations and proceeds going to the Child's Play charity. It's an exciting event instigated by James Croft who was inspired by the work of popular Starcraft 2 game casters on youtube as well as the distinct lack of local Starcraft 2 action.

The next round of the Film Victoria Games Investment program closes May 9th so get your pitches and prototypes ready!

The first round of applications to the Film Victoria's Games Investment Program is fast reaching the 29th of October deadline (this Friday!). If you haven't submitted your application, you don't have too long now!

The Games Investment Programme assists Victorian games developers to create a diverse range of games for any distribution platform with an emphasis on technical, creative or design innovation.

This programme recognises the need to support games developers to create a prototype or full game on any distribution platform. It assists games developers to create original IP, attract further investment, reach a targeted audience, and ultimately strengthen Victoria's screen industry.

Screenplay reports that Melbourne game developers have suffered a set back as support supplied by Film Victoria's Digital Media Fund has been halved by the Victorian Government. The Digital Media Fund has been extremely beneficial for the Melbourne games industry in sparking new opportunities and helping developers realise their goals.

Film Victoria’s Digital Media Prototyping, Production Investment and Downloadable Games Initiative funding rounds close Tuesday 27 April 2010. This funding offers Victorian producers, publishers and developers financial assistance in the development of locally owned intellectual property.

Film Victoria have announced the recipients of this year's Digital Media Prototyping program. The successful applicants who will be sharing the $244,450 fund to create self-published downloadable titles are: Touch My Pixel, Tin Man Games, Khrob Edmonds, and Andrew Spierings.

Each of the first three Victorian-based independent studios received $96,650, while $147,800 was awarded to Andre Spierings to develop a Facebook game called Bunni Social.

Film Victoria is providing funding to host companies with a substantial track record to engage an intern for a significant professional development opportunity with the possibility of ongoing employment.

Who is it for?

Well, that was quick! If you missed out on the Digital Distribution Summit that was held in Melbourne last week, then you'll be pleased to know that all the footage of the conference has been encoded and uploaded already to Vimeo!

The Digital Distribution Summit 09 featured the speakers David Edery (former manager for Xbox Live Arcade content), Simon Carless (Game developer mag, Gamasutra), Jamil Moledina (Outreach Director, EA), as well as Rob Murray from Firemint, and Shainiel Deo from Halfbrick Studios, and Rob Walsh from Krome Studios.