As a nation known for its breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and welcoming people, there is more to New Zealand than you might think. In fact, this small yet influential country is rapidly becoming a significant player in the global gaming industry and looks likely to become one of the world’s next gaming hotspots. New Zealand’s gaming market is set to grow significantly in the coming years, with a projected annual growth rate of 7.18%. This growth is set to be so monumental that the number of gamers in the country will reach over 1.1 million by 2027. Driven by supportive government policies and a talented games development scene, this burgeoning industry is certainly one to watch over the next few years. In this article, we’ve taken a look at the reasons why New Zealand may well be the world’s next gaming hotspot!
New Zealand’s Current Gaming Landscape
There has clearly been growing interest and involvement with video games and online gaming amongst New Zealand’s population in recent years. Thanks to modern technology, it has become ridiculously easy to play a huge variety of games from portable devices like smartphones and gaming consoles, making this hobby more accessible than ever before. An impressive 67% of the population now plays video games in some capacity – meaning that despite the remote location of this island country, New Zealand is quickly becoming a major player within the global gaming industry. The country is home to a thriving, creative and supportive community of game developers, which hosts regular conferences, festivals and networking events to celebrate and grow game development across the nation. There have been many examples of homegrown success – you may have heard of the hugely popular RPG Path of Exile, which was released in 2013 by the Auckland-based developer Grinding Gear Games. The Wellington-based developer PikPok (formerly known as Sidhe) has also seen impressive levels of success since its creation in 1997, publishing a wide variety of games and collaborating with global names like Adult Swim and DreamWorks.
Whilst the video game development industry is clearly thriving in New Zealand right now, it is also interesting to consider the current national iGaming landscape. Online gambling is currently a legal grey area – although the government does not regulate a legal iGaming industry on home soil, Kiwis are able to play at offshore online casinos and enjoy a wide variety of table games and online slots from the comfort of their own homes. There is now an impressive global offering if you’re based in New Zealand and looking for a fast payout online casino since speed is king in the world of iGaming. There is strong competition between operators for the attention of players in this part of the world, meaning there is a huge amount of options available on the market. Due to the success of the offshore iGaming industry, it’s likely that the NZ government will soon create a regulated market. Legalising online gambling would generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue, and would improve player protection through safer licensing and regulation. The country could therefore soon be one of the world’s next hotspots for iGaming in particular.
The Impact of Education & Government Initiatives
Whilst New Zealand clearly has all the ingredients to become the next gaming hotspot, the impact of education and supportive government initiatives will be the key drivers behind the industry’s continued growth. Luckily, there is an excellent framework in place which will surely ensure the growing success of game development in the nation. Prominent educational institutions have given their support to the world of gaming – in fact, the University of Auckland even has its own Esports Arena allowing people to compete in tournaments with other gamers on the world stage. Fostering young talent is one of the most vital ways to sustain the success of a thriving industry, and thanks to initiatives like these, New Zealand’s gaming landscape seems to be in a strong position for the future. We’ve seen eSports become far more mainstream over the past decade, with the New Zealand Warriors taking part in many of the competitions, showing that it’s reaching all corners of culture.
Supportive government initiatives are also allowing Kiwi gamers to thrive, playing a crucial role in the rise of New Zealand as a gaming hotspot. The government has recognised the potential of this industry, with recent Australian research showing considerable capacity for improving children’s economic literacy through spending time playing video games. Due to this, there have been various new initiatives in recent years which have been implemented to support the growth of gaming. The government has offered a range of packages including funding for start-ups, tax incentives and grants for game development projects. The ‘Game Development Sector Rebate’ has been a hugely popular scheme, which provides $40 million per year to support eligible companies and has been a huge boost for local developers. By championing the world of gaming, the nation has encouraged both local and international companies to see New Zealand as a flourishing hotspot – bringing in countless new investments and innovations.
The Future of Gaming in New Zealand
The future of New Zealand’s gaming industry looks seriously promising, suggesting this small and isolated nation is rapidly becoming an international hotspot. Thanks to a talented workforce, supportive educational initiatives and government policies, and a sustained love of gameplay amongst the nation’s population, there are many reasons to believe that game development here will continue to thrive. Key developments to look out for will include the possible upcoming establishment of a legal, regulated iGaming scene, which would certainly strengthen New Zealand’s role on the world stage with regards to online casino games.
Ultimately, it is clear that New Zealand is on the brink of becoming one of the world’s next hotspots for gaming in all its forms. Thanks to a supportive local environment coupled with a thriving international gaming scene, the market seems likely to grow considerably over the coming years. It’s going to be seriously interesting and exciting to see where Kiwi gaming culture goes next, as this unique, creative nation carves out its own place on the international scene. Watch this space, as we think New Zealand is certainly the world’s next gaming hotspot!
Last Updated: October 11, 2024
