Australia getting in on the tax breaks. I think the UK better act before the horse bolts.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=33647%5B/quote:66bedc5975%5D
I think the horse has bolted in that regards, Krome Studios (Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide) has well over 400 employees now. Are closely connected to Microsoft, have a track record with Konami, LucasArts, Vivendi to name just a few.
Just across the road from them you will find Pandemic.
From what I have seen regarding Australia game development is a massive push, but most students in Australia don’t do a BSC or MSC, they do TAFE courses or wok as interns.
Mind you there are countless studios in Australia
This should give you an idea as to what Australia is going after.
With regards to France their Granting System is based on how applicable socially the game is. So something like Manhunt2 wouldn’t be considered an valid applicaiton. While something with Artistic merit would rate more favourably.
Considering a more European wide game initiative :
So the avenues are there, and anyone that think Ex Havok Guys, Dave Perry, the Government or the likes are our golden ticket really need to consider what it’s going to take for that to happen. Sure some ex Havok guys could setup shop in the morning, get some press and start some games, they still need all the business infrastructure, all the financing, location and countless other elements in place. Otherwise it’s just another wishful startup. (I know about wishful startups, and there is a huge difference between a wishful startup and one that has the potential to grow and become financially sustainable)
Or alternatively we could all spend some time developing small tiny little games, building up a reputation for Irish development and simply tap into the market by making it aware that there is talent here, there is real innovation in gameplay. I look at things like DARE and feel they are the direction we should be gunning for, as these are the roots which open awareness and eventually we will have some small startups that will get the VC’s interested, that will get the Publishers knocking. Expecting a Valve to open up shop over night is unrealistic, even to get NickelodeonGameCreator9 to setup here would be an achievement.
I also don’t have much faith in these game courses popping up throughout the country. It would appear as a ploy to get otherwise un-interested students interested in doing these courses. Where the draw is they think they will play games all day and perhaps make some, but soon realise it’s a tough gig and pack it in. Granted the Trinity course is a step in the right direction and there are surely merits to all courses, but trying to flood the country with developers, where there are no jobs and no real initiatives to setup small studios… it seems like an exercise in exporting even more talent out of the country.