NZ Game Developers Association

Save 15% on Icarus: Dangerous Horizons Expansion on Steam DANGEROUS HORIZONS opens access to Elysium, a hazardous new map warped by radiation and exotic fallout. Discover Eden, tame new mounts, survive 30+ new species, and dive deeper into six chained narrative missions. Push yourself further with the arrival of Tier 5 tech, oil drilling and advanced gear.

Icarus launched their Dangerous Horizons expansion which totally boosted them up the Steam charts over the weekend to #10 Global Top Sellers 😱  Well done RocketWerkz 👏🙌

CODE funding round 12 now open for expressions of interest until 5pm Monday 16th March.  Find out more here https://www.nz-code.nz/post/code-opens-eoi-submissions-for-new-funding-round-12

You can save the date!  We're happy to share that NZGDC 2026 will be held from 30 September - 3 October in Auckland at the new NZ International Convention Centre.   See you there!

Submission to Inland Revenue — NZGDA To the IR Policy Team: The New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Income Tax Treatment of Software Development Expenditure issues paper. As the industry body representing New Zealand’s videogame sector, a high-value, weightless export industry

Catch up on the latest NZGDA submission regarding Inland Revenue's proposed tax treatment of software development expenditure.  It's worth a read as the proposal has the potential to effect NZ devs & our industry's international competitiveness

New NZGDA Constitution — NZGDA Consultation is now open on proposed changes to the NZGDA Constitution. These changes are needed to comply with legislation, and to reflect how the Association operates today. The Board has undertaken a comprehensive review of the current Constitution and is now seeking members’ feedback ahead

Member consultation is now open on proposed changes to the NZGDA Constitution. These changes are needed to comply with legislation, and to reflect how the Association operates today.  Members feedback is welcome by 3rd March. Read more here:

2026 NZGDA Webinar Series - Ep 1 Join NZ On Air as they walk through the 2026 GDSR Registration Process.

Need more info on how to start the GDSR Registration process? We've got you covered.  View last weeks webinar with the team from NZ On Air as they walk us through it

Pavs Game Awards submissions close this Saturday the 14th of February! ❤️  Submit your game here: https://forms.gle/DxAwowtYxQHHYMXYA

There's still time to register tomorrow's webinar (3rd Feb).  Join NZGDA & the NZ On Air Games Rebate team as they walk us through the 2026 GDSR Registration Process - the first step in applying for the rebate.  Register here: https://forms.gle/H3tWu4USDmhKfUAt8

Business got you busy?  Thinking about applying for the GDSR?  Join us at our first NZGDA Webinar of the year with the Game Rebate team from NZ On Air to walk-through the 2026 GDSR Registration process.  Register here: https://forms.gle/APMEED2uRE6rMmYcA

Are you looking for ways to contribute to the wider game dev community? Become a mentor for the AUT Women in Tech Programme! Read the key initiatives here: https://tinyurl.com/3mesppas OR register your interest here before 12th Feb 5pm. https://forms.office.com/r/tyGUyer74R?origin=lprLink

It's nearly the weekend and we've got you covered. Join Wellington's first Game Review from 6pm TONIGHT at Respawn. Playtest for free, chat to the devs & generally have a good time!  Deets at https://www.nzgda.com/events

Woot!  NZGDA Member, Jevon Wright and her team at Stormcloak Games have released their first title Adaptory after loads of work and heaps of determination.  Congrats 🙌🥳  Let's play! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2201620/Adaptory/

The Pavs Game Awards are back for 2026 & submissions are now OPEN (closes 14th of Feb ❤️) If you are from NZ or Oceania & have a physical or digital game already released in the last year or due for release this year, find out how to enter here: https://forms.gle/EvrREDpMJixUmfLf6

Kickstart 2026 with some great events: join the first GAME REVIEW at Respawn Esports, talk creative tech with Wahine Fuelled Tech, go offline & social with AMG or get down to business with NZGDA's 1st webinar on GDSR rego's. There's something for everyone! https://www.nzgda.com/events/

New Zealand's booming video game sector making waves around the world The local gaming sector's annual pre-tax income was up 38 percent this year, while the global industry is falling behind.

🎄 This article is sure to get you into the festive spirit!   

Oh! It's a two-for-one - incoming NZGDA Board Member, Emma Procter and outgoing Board Member Johnson Witehira crushing the Creative Tech Summit panel like the legends they are! 🙌

With the 2026 NZGDA Board voted in 😀 we're now pleased to announce elected roles are: 
CHAIR Anna Barham (Balancing Monkey Games),
VICE CHAIR Stacey Wood (BSA),
TREASURER: Lance Burgess (PikPok),
SECRETARY: Elissa Snowball (RocketWerkz).
Congrats to you all! 👏

December CGDA Meetup - Ben Maher, Thu, Dec 11, 2025, 6:15 PM | Meetup Welcome to the December 2025 Christchurch Game Developers' Meetup! **Location:** EPIC Innovation, 106 Manchester St, Christchurch 8011 **The meetup will also be streamed

Catch up before Christmas? 🎄 Sure!  👍  Join other Christchurch Game Devs tonight at the EPIC Innovation Centre. 

Oh yes they did! 🥳  WINNERS in the 17th Unity Awards include Best Mobile Game: Dredge (Black Salt Games) and Publisher of the Year: Synty Studios 🎉. Watch the awards on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/live/7PUHMd7kx2U

Check out the latest jobs on the NZGDA jobs board, including opportunities for Programmers, Marketing Specialists and more. https://www.nzgda.com/jobs

Apple unveils the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards Apple announces the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards, recognising 17 apps and games for their technical ingenuity and lasting cultural impact.

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS 🙌 The results of the 2025 App Store Awards are in and NZ's own Black Salt Games wins the iPad Game of the Year award for Dredge!!  See the full list of the 17 stand-out developers here

NZ Game Development Workforce Survey When we first began developing this survey, the intention was to benchmark salaries only. As we progressed, it became clear that there were other important questions to ask, so the scope was expanded and the survey renamed as a Workforce Survey. This survey aims to better understand the experiences, challenges, and aspirations of people working in the New Zealand game development industry. Your responses will help inform advocacy, shape industry support, and highlight opportunities to better support the individuals in our industry. No identifying information is collected. To ensure robust insights, all questions are mandatory unless otherwise noted. We are collecting salary information to allow us to report on current pay rates and trends across the industry. This helps studios benchmark fairly and provides NZGDA with evidence to advocate on behalf of the sector. At the end of the survey, you will be offered the opportunity to go into the draw for some Steam vouchers. To maintain anonymity, the link to enter the draw will take you to a separate form so your responses cannot be connected to your identity.

Why not end your year by taking part in the first NZGDA Workforce Survey?  Share your views, and your voice, today.

It's December and you know what that means ...... it's time to kick-off the Christmas lunches and parties! 🥳🎄  Why not start tonight with Game Devs of Wellington and their Pitchmas!  Check out the NZGDA events calendar for more info! www.nzgda.com/events

The zombie apocalypse is where NZ games maker PikPok thrives Zombies, silly puns, and an eccentric collection of driving, flying, sports and, frequently, shooting games with plots you may not expect have driven a Wellingt...

PikPok's very own Mario Wynands, wins the startup CEO of the Year in the inaugural BusinessDesk CEO Index Awards.  Congratulations Mario!   👏🎉

There are some great game dev events coming up over the next few weeks including the NZGDA AGM where you can find out the results of the recent Board Elections.  Check out the website for more info! https://www.nzgda.com/events

Dinosaur Polo Club are recruiting for an Intermediate Developer.  See this and other jobs on the NZGDA jobs board www.nzgda.com/jobs

NZGDA Board Elections are now closed.  Results will be shared at the upcoming AGM - you are welcome to join us https://nzgda.glueup.com/event/2025-nzgda-annual-general-meeting-161237/