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August 2026 | Here-turi-kōkā | |
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He kōrero nā te kaihautu | Executive Director's Note | |
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NZGDC 2026 is just two months away, and we are gearing up for our biggest conference yet!
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Bulk Registrations Ticket prices rise again after 15 August, so now is the time to get your team registered. We have made it easy for studios to register multiple staff at once with our bulk registration form, available on the tickets page of the NZGDC website.
Speaker Programme We have a fabulous lineup of speakers confirmed, and in a late announcement we are thrilled to add representatives from Supercell, Nintendo, and Epic Games to the programme. We will also be releasing a list of Ask Me Anything sessions, where you can - well - ask the speakers anything. We have MBIE and Immigration NZ in the lineup, Unity, publishers such as Akapura games and Jackbox games. Keep any eye out on the programme for the next update!
NZGDA Pitch Event Entries Closing Soon For studios looking for investment, the NZGDC pitch event is your chance to shine. There are only a few weeks left to get your submissions in, and with publishers and investors from around the world making their way here to find the next big hit out of New Zealand, this is an opportunity too good to pass up.
And Speaking of great games…. Congratulations to Mitch and the team at Eat Pant Games on the release of Teeto and Zsombor and the Space Rock Games team on the release of Doomsday Diner we wish you all the greatest of success with your newly released games!
Busy at the Beehive Our advocacy efforts are seeing real success, from the tax exemption of the GDSR to active and ongoing discussions with Immigration NZ, MBIE, MFAT, and IRD, who all want to better understand and serve our industry. We have also made good progress with Minister Todd McClay, where we discussed various support mechanisms to help NZ game developers get better exposure to international markets. MBIE is working to define the creative and game development sectors so it can provide better support. This is essential to ensure game development is considered when making policies that affect what we do and how we do it.
Ngā mihi nui,
Joy Keene, Executive Director
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Congrats to Space Rock Games who launched Doomsday Diner - their first game! Check it out on Steam here | | | |
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NZGDA Executive Director, Joy Keene, and Board Member, Lance Burgess met with Honorable Minister Todd McClay and talked about foreign investment, international support and other ways that the government can help support the NZ Game Development ecosystem thrive internationally. | | | |
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NZGDA and IGEA Release 2026 Policy PlatformerThe New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA) is pleased to announce the release of the 2026 Policy Platformer, a joint document produced in partnership with the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA). Read the full article. | | | |
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Update: Significant progress on Game Dev Tax Policy NZGDA advocacy has resulted in initial progress with the Inland Revenue officially confirming that the GDSR is to be treated as a non-taxable grant for tax purposes.
Read the full article and what's next | | | |
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A big hello to our most recent individual and student members - we hope to meet you in person soon 👋
And we extend a warm welcome to our newest Studio Members: | |
Fnife Games are a small Ōtautahi-based indie video game studio, focused on creating fun LGBTQIA+ narrative projects. Their core team functions like a collective, combining skills from eclectic artistic backgrounds including graphic design, sculpture, kids TV, bedroom pop and comics to deliver fresh (queer) gaming experiences! Learn more | | | |
Vonk Studios are a tight-knit, family-run indie game startup from Auckland, driven by a shared passion for game development. We are excited to grow our small studio, connect with the local developer community, and bring our creative vision to life. Learn More | | | |
Hugenormous Games Limited is an indie game studio based out of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. We're composed of industry veterans, having worked on Path of Exile and Path of Exile 2 for many years. Our debut title is Into the Rootforge, an Action Combat Roguelite Runner. | | | |
Rare Parrot Games is an independent 3 person studio based in New Zealand focused on creating co-operative experiences that weave narrative into sandbox fun. Website | | | |
Vinebright Foundry Ltd is an independent game studio building living worlds, adaptive systems, and responsibility by design. We build immersive worlds you can lose yourself in - where characters feel real, relationships change dynamically over time, and your actions are remembered. Find out more | | | |
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Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support. It's because of you that we are able to do what we do 🙏 Together, we’re building something incredible! | |
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See the latest jobs from Outerdawn, Deep Field Games, StaplesVR and more ... | | Catch up on NZGDA news, government submissions, industry insights and more .... | | | |
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Introducing Closing Keynote Speaker: Chris Wilson
Why New Zealand Is the Best Place to Shape Our World From
After co-founding Grinding Gear Games and helping build Path of Exile into a globally successful live-service game, Chris Wilson once viewed New Zealand as a difficult place to start a game studio. | | | |
Looking back, he now believes it was one of the company’s greatest advantages, and that Path of Exile may only have been possible here.
In this talk, Chris reflects on his journey from teenage programmer to studio founder, his brief retirement, and his return to game development with Light Pattern. He explains why, when given the freedom to establish a new studio anywhere in the world, he chose New Zealand again. Drawing on the country’s growing talent pool, supportive game-development ecosystem, strong digital infrastructure, international connections and exceptional quality of life, Chris makes the case that New Zealand is not a barrier to building global companies, but a distinctive advantage.
He also explores how established developers can help shape the next generation through mentoring, education and community involvement, before offering practical advice for studios navigating the industry’s next cycle. | |
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Stand-alone Masterclasses & Events | If you're short on time, and can't attend the full Conference, we've got you!
Get your ticket for a Masterclass to level up your skills in an expert-led session designed to deliver practical insights; OR join us for a social or networking event to connect with fellow game devs and be a part of the conversation.
Just pick the Events Only option when choosing your registration type.
Get your tickets now. | | The Tabletop Games Showcase in the Kiwi Games Zone is an opportunity to share your game with passionate players, meet fellow designers and creators, exchange ideas, and be part of an event that celebrates creativity, connection, and play. Whether you're looking for feedback, new fans, or meaningful conversations, the Kiwi Game Zone is a welcoming space to grow your game. Apply now via this link | | | |
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For one exciting week, Auckland will be buzzing with events that celebrate the talent, innovation, and passion behind games made here in Aotearoa. Whether you're a lifelong gamer, an aspiring game developer, a student, a creative, or simply curious about how games are made, Auckland Games Week is your chance to get involved. Submit your event now | | NZGDC 2026 is bringing together an exclusive room of international investors, publishers, and studio scouts - and we want New Zealand's best studios on the stage. Find out more and apply | | | |
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