The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (iGEA) has welcomed its New Zealand equivalent as a partner to better reflect the evolving interactive gaming landscape.
Formerly recognised as the Interactive Software Association of New Zealand (ISANZ), the industry body is changing its name and structure to bring the iGEA’s membership to a total of 22 companies.
The two groups formerly comprised 14 Australian companies and seven based in New Zealand, which published, marketed and distributed interactive games and entertainment content.
In 2009, video and computer game sales reached $2 billion in Australia and achieved a record $170 million in New Zealand, according to independent market research group GfK Retail and Technology Australia. Sales figures for the New Zealand market increased by 12 per cent – which is triple the growth in Australia in 2009.
iGEA Chairman, Edward Fong, said: “There is great opportunity to collaborate and share our knowledge, insights and resources with our New Zealand team and we are very excited to have them on board. Over the last few months, the iGEA has spent a lot of time and energy building our website and we hope it becomes a central hub of resources, not only for gamers, but parents, businesses, governments and the wider Australian and New Zealand community.”
Mark Goodacre, former president of the ISANZ and now an iGEA Director added: “This strategic partnership will help ensure we remain relevant to our members on a local and international level.”
More information on the iGEA can be found on www.igea.net.
