Playmaker is an online community for Game Developers in New Zealand - anyone (professionals, indies, artists, students, hobbyists) is welcome to participate. It is run by the NZ Game Developers Association.
What are Indie Games?
Independent video games are those created without the financial support of a video game publisher.
Video games industry revenues now eclipse those of Hollywood and the opening weeks of several blockbuster games exceed those of films like The Dark Knight and Avatar. At the same time, online digital distribution, web-based games, social network gaming and mobile phones have made it possible for smaller teams or individual game developers to successfully create and self-publish their own games. Many indie gamers also operate as a hobby for the love of the craft.
What are Playmaker's goals?
(a) To support, nurture and develop the independent game development industry in New Zealand
(b) To be an advocate for the independent game development industry in New Zealand and further public knowledge and understanding of the industry
(c) To facilitate and support interaction and communication within the NZ independent game community
(d) To recognise and suitably acknowledge outstanding achievements in the field of independent game development
(e) To promote game development as a career in collaboration with the relevant educational institutes.
What does Playmaker offer and do?
* Run this online community for developers to share and collaborate
* Run the monthly Auckland Game Developers Meetups
* Connect with international indie gamer associations, participate in international industry competitions and festivals
* Coordinate the New Zealand legs of the annual Global Game Jam
* Share game development business advice amongst members
* Promote the local indie game developer industry (eg, on PC World coverdisk's Indie Game Corner, or TVNZ Media7)
* Connect and support New Zealand Game Developers
We also have connections with education institutes (such as the Media Design School), other industry associations (such as the NZ Game Developers Association, CDC-Auckland, Screen Auckland) and government agencies.
How is Playmaker run?
Playmaker is a not-for-profit association run by an elected committee.
How do I join?
Contact Damien Caine of Pixelati, or consider attending one of the Auckland Game Developers Meetups.
How is this website run?
Initially conceived by Damien Caine of Pixelati and developed into the first functional iteration by Andy Wiltshire of GameMold, the PlayMaker portal's development and administration is now handled by Erik Hogan, with strategy and direction maintained by the PlayMaker committee.