Crisafulli Government backs record-breaking digital game development

The Crisafulli Government delivers $3.7 million to support 20 new digital games projects.
Queensland games studios will contribute a record $23 million to the State’s economy through new projects, with more than 330 local games developers being employed.
Queensland is now the second largest State for games development, with full time employment quadrupling since 2021.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future and a better lifestyle through a stronger economy after a decade of decline under Labor.

The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future and the State’s games industry, with 20 new projects in development which will support 330 local jobs and boosting the economy by a record $23 million.

As Queensland continues to build its reputation as a global hub for games development, industry employment has surged four-fold to more than 665 full-time roles.

Queensland is now the second largest State for games development in Australia, with local games and studios attracting the interest of major publishers and platforms including Sony PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch, as well as expanding audiences on Steam and Apple Arcade.

New projects include Prideful Sloth’s Go-Go Town! (DGI) and Broadside Games’ CHUNK (Games Grants), as well as Momento from Fat Alien Cat x Nomo (Games Grants), one of the first games created through Screen Queensland’s highly successful Games Residency program for emerging developers.

Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the Crisafulli Government continues to back the State’s games studios and developers after a decade of decline under the former Labor Government.

“The former Labor Government failed to harness the potential of this growing sector and prioritised red-carpet appearances over genuine support,” Minister Langbroek said.

“Under the Crisafulli Government, Queensland-made games are gaining global attention and our state’s reputation is growing as a worldwide hub for digital games development.

“This latest slate announcement reveals a strong uplift in premium titles being made here in Queensland.

“We’ve seen significant growth in local expenditure, exceeding the previous financial year by 20 percent in just six months.

“This is creating jobs for local Queenslanders in industries they’re passionate about and helping to build a skilled and creative workforce for future industries.

“As our state aims for gold ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, our digital games sector is leading the way - building the jobs of tomorrow, today.”

Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said the agency’s funding for digital games development had helped reignite the State’s games sector.

“Over the last 12 months, we’ve not just met the height of the previous boom, we’ve exceeded it,” Ms Feeney said.

“We are committed to supporting our homegrown developers to continue punching above their weight on the global stage and we are actively working with industry to foster a pipeline of talent to keep pace with the ever-increasing demand for Queensland-made games.”

In addition to the latest slate of funded games, recent releases include SMG Studios’ LEGO® Party! which received a coveted international nomination at The Game Awards 2025, Cozy Caravan from 5 Lives Studios and Isopod: A Webbed Spin-off from Sbug Games.

The next Games Grants round, offering funding of up to $200,000 per project will open in the second half of 2026.

More information is available at screenqueensland.com.au/games

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Kate Rogers, 0426 414 298

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DIGITAL GAMES SUPPORTED BY SCREEN QUEENSLAND

Digital Games Incentive — July to December 2025

Go-Go Town! – Prideful Sloth

8x unannounced titles from Gameloft Brisbane, Krome Studios, Nightwake, SMG Studios and Spunge Games

Games Grants — August 2025 round

CHUNK – Broadside Games

Cloudlings – Osh Studios

Cyber Buglets – Team Buglet

Dungeon Pizza – Growing Games

High Society – Gud a Mess Studio

Kokato Dispatch – Reece Wherry

Momento – Fat Alien Car X Nomo Studios

On The Hearth – Crystal Chemello

Doubtbound – Moontail Games

Zolana: Girl Galactic – Alana McAnulty

Unannounced Game – Byter

Digital games supported by Screen Queensland include:

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, Capes, Carmen Sandiego, Catto’s Post Office, Cities: Skylines – Remastered, Cozy Caravan, Go-Go Town!, Isopod: A Webbed Spin-Off, Key Fairy, LEGO Party!, Macabre, Max Mustard, Momento, Mowing Mazes, My Little Pony: Mane Merge, Unpacking and Servonauts.  