PC, MAC OR CONSOLE? - DIGITAL GAME DEVELOPMENT IN AUSTRALIA

The First Issue of Digital Game Development Services, Australia, 2006-07 (cat. no. 8515.0) was released on 8 April. This collection, conducted in respect of the 2006-07 financial year, provides measures of the performance, structure and activity of digital game development businesses operating in Australia. It includes aspects such as the composition of income earned, details of expenses incurred and the characteristics of the workforce. A state/territory dimension is also presented.

At the end of June 2007, there were 45 businesses in Australia involved in the provision of digital game development services. These businesses employed over 1,400 people and generated a total income of $136.9m which represented an average of $3m per business. Income from the provision of game development services accounted for 85.4% ($116.9m) of total income. Income from the provision of game development services received from non-resident businesses accounted for 79.1% ($108.3m) of total income.

Games developed for console formats (e.g. PS2, PS3, Xbox, Wii) accounted for nearly three-quarters (71.1% or $83.2 million) of game development services income. Games developed for PC and Mac formats accounted for 14.6% ($17.1 million).

Businesses with a head office situated in NSW accounted for 17.8% (eight) of all businesses, 8.5% ($11.6m) of total income and 7.2% (103 people) of employment.

Employment: There were 1,431 people employed in game development services in Australia at the end of June 2007. The majority (90% or 1,227 people) were male. Artists and animators (491 people or 34%) and programmers (417 people or 29%) represented nearly two-thirds (64%) of total employment. There were 87 non-residents working in the industry at the end of June 2007.

For further details, contact Sophie Vassiliou on (03) 9615 7442 or email client.services@abs.gov.au.