| He kōrero nā te kaihautu | Executive Director's Note |
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Kia ora,
Welcome to 2025!
As we all settle into the new year, we have been progressing work on our 2025 strategy, which will be set and confirmed by the new board on Tuesday, February 4th.
We’re also gearing up to share exciting details about NZGDC very soon so stay tuned!
A critical reminder for studios: if you plan to claim under the GDSR, you must register again—check out the details below to ensure you don’t miss out.
Ngā mihi nui,
Joy Keene, Executive Director |
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2025 GDSR submissions opening this Monday!
That's right. Registrations for the 2025 round of the Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR) open this Monday 3 February. |
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Registration is the first step in applying for the rebate. Once you have completed the registration process, you'll receive a Letter of Acknowledgement or Decline from NZ On Air. That will let you know whether you are eligible to go ahead and apply for the rebate when applications open in April.
Please note, GDSR Registration will be open for one month, closing on Friday 28 February.
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New privacy rules coming for biometrics The Privacy Commissioner wants to hear from game developers who use or are thinking of using biometric processes in their games. Biometric processes involve the identification or analysis of people’s biometric characteristics (face, fingerprint, gait). |
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The Commissioner intends to issue a Biometric Processing Privacy Code that would update the privacy rules for organisations that use biometrics. You can read the draft Code and other consultation material on the Office of the Privacy Commissioner’s website.
In particular, the Office would like feedback from game developers on: - The scope of the Code (which currently excludes biometric processes that are integrated in a consumer device e.g. VR headset, tracking camera).
- The definition of biometric processing in the Code (which include processes where an individual is categorised or analysed on the basis of their biometric characteristics i.e. emotion analysis).
- The restrictions in the Code (there are restrictions on some uses of biometrics, including biometric emotion analysis and certain types of biometric categorisation).
The Privacy Commissioner is accepting submissions until 14 March 2025. The Code is expected to be in force by mid-2025. |
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Expressions of Interest for CODE Round 10 Grants for Dunedin are now open.
THIS IS FOR THE DUNEDIN PROGRAMME DEVELOPERS ONLY |
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Ōtepoti Dunedin funding programme (Round 10) Expressions of Interest are open from 10:00am on Tuesday 28th January 2025 until 5:00pm on Tuesday 11th February 2025. From there we will be proceeding to the full application phase. Late EOIs will not be accepted.
For those outside of the Dunedin area, Round 11, CODE's third National funding round will open for EOIs in late February. |
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Game Dev Fashion Week returns Feb 10 - Feb 14 2025!
Game dev fashion week is a way to celebrate diversity, and challenge stereotypes in the game dev industry. Runaway started this in 2019 and the tradition continues! If you're a game dev (whether it's your day job or you're a hobbyist etc) please join in by taking a photo of your 'fit during the week using the hashtag |
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The full release of Age of Darkness: Final Standis now live - alongside the launch of PlaySide Studio's new Co-Op Multiplayer.
PlaySide want to thank the game’s incredible community for the continued support and feedback, which has truly helped make 1.0 possible.
There is no better time to face the darkness and embrace the challenge! ⚔️ |
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Check out the latest intro to "Teeto", the creation of game studio Eat Pant Games and finalist in the 2024 Kiwi Game Starter competition.
We can't wait for more!! 😆 |
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A very warm welcome to our newest Member Studio Frostoven. We look forward to getting to know you and your team, supporting you through your game dev journey and sharing your successes along the way! |
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And we also welcome our most recent individual members and hope to meet you an an NZGDA event soon! 👋 |
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Creative/office space available!
Below are two great offers from NZGDA Studio Members who have some stand-alone studio space available and/or office space to share. If you are growing your studio, ready to explore new opportunities or just keen to have other creatives around you, perhaps one of these spaces would be perfect! |
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A44 Games is on the look-out for a new tenant to take on additional space in their building in Lower Hutt.
They'd love it if they could help another game studio find some space to work in, either to get a project done in the short term, or support a studio over the long term.
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Frost Flame Games Community Shared Space
This awesome creative studio space on Cuba St is now open for new innovators to join! Run by veteran game designers Frost Flame Games and local software company Xequals, it’s a creative community hub that is actively seeking awesome, like minded companies and individuals to share this space. Click here to find out more and get in touch. |
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| Kaupapa whakatairanga | Events |
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2025 is starting to take shape with events so check the NZGDA events calendar regularly to stay up to date. Here are some to get you started: |
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Indigenising Design is a six-part webinar series that aims to bring together like-minded individuals from across the globe to discuss, unpack and explore the ways in which our world is designed.
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IGB will host the next instalment of its long-running Sessions series on 19 & 20 February (EST).
Industry experts will cover a range of essential topics designed to help bring your game to market. |
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The Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025 is your ultimate game power-up! From March 17-21, dive into game-changing sessions, breakthrough tech, and endless networking with top creators from every corner of the globe.
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We love jobs! Here's some that have been added this month: |
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If you have news, content, community activities, events or jobs to share, email info@nzgda.com |
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