Video games have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, captivating people of all ages and becoming an essential part of our modern culture. The games industry has transformed into a behemoth, generating massive revenue that now rivals entertainment industries like music and movies.
According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the global games market is forecast to grow to a $485 billion per year industry globally by the end of 2027, which is up from $327 billion last year. Developing games is a serious business and Australia’s local games industry is thriving.
Financial incentives like the Digital Games Tax Offset (DGTO) support Australian game developers with generous tax incentives to support these highly creative digital businesses to scale and deliver content to a global audience. As a result, there is strong demand for highly skilled creative game development workforce.
Where does this growing innovative industry find new talent? Whether it's creating captivating storylines, immersive graphics, or complex code, talented graduates are sought-after by games developers. Where are these graduates coming from and which educators excel in preparing aspiring developers for games careers?
By searching LinkedIn for Australian game studios, you are able to find educational background information through the company insights feature to see where people working at that studio had studied.
Based on graduate employment outcomes, Australia's best educators in game development soon becomes clear.
In first place with double the numbers of graduates working in industry compared to their closest ‘rival’ is…
1. AIE, otherwise known as the Academy of Interactive Entertainment. AIE has been training game developers since 1996 and was created by a game studio – Micro Forté, developers of Fallout Tactics, amongst others. AIE started out as a vocational educator with close industry links, which means a focus on practical skills, working on real projects, fostering teamwork and specialist streams in art, design and programming. AIE Institute has since received accreditation for its own Bachelor of Game Development which it delivers from campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra.
2. Coming in second place is RMIT University. Their game development program focuses developing student’s game design principles and technical skills. The curriculum emphasizes project-based learning and exposes students to the latest trends and industry standards.
3. In third place is Swinburne University of Technology. Students in Swinburne’s programs examine the role of games in contemporary society and how they are developing as a cultural industry. During the course students undertake a range of projects, developing practical and creative research and communication skills in a game lab environment.
AIE’s success at getting graduates into industry is likely a result of the specialist focus and being the first games educator in Australia. Educational institutions such as the AIE with their long-established relationships in the game development and film industry are in a better position to provide students with internships and job placements.
Graduate success in the game development industry, and their contribution to the local games industry, depends on the quality of education they receive. The educators mentioned above have made a significant impact by providing comprehensive and industry-focused programs. Their commitment to practical learning, strong industry connections, and emphasis on collaboration have resulted in exceptional employment outcomes for their graduates. If you or someone you know are considering pursuing a career in this field, it's important to choose an educational institution that offers the best opportunity for success.
Published: 9 November 2023
