SME Chamber

Strategy for digital gaming industry launched


Malta Enterprise, the University of Malta and the Malta
Council for Science and Technology in collaboration with the Ministry of
Finance, the Economy and Investment launched the digital gaming strategy for
Malta to facilitate the growth of this lucrative niche as an offshoot of the
flourishing ICT industry.

The strategy was launched during a one-day-conference on
April 27 that was opened by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and which was attended
by several industry stakeholders as well as students who are looking at a
career in digital gaming.

Malta's Special Envoy for Digital Gaming Chris Deering
highlighted not only the exponential growth registered in digital gaming in
recent years, but also the wide ranging opportunities that social media and
portable devices have created and that Malta could target to become the world's
leading country for trans-media interactive digital arts.

On his part, Prof. William Latham presented the findings of
the report compiled by Games Audit Ltd team, which was commissioned to
research, carry out interviews with stakeholders and analyse the digital gaming
sector in Malta and its potential for growth as a guide to setting up the
national policy for this industry.

The report focused on the attraction of global gaming
companies and the encouragement of local company start-ups, as well as
initiatives that need to be taken to enhance education in this sector and to
nurture a games eco-system.

Amongst other recommendations, the report suggests that
possible areas of specialisation for Malta could be downloadable games for
mobile, tablet, pc and consoles, as well as browser games such as html, flash
and social games including for the popular social network websites.

Whilst noting that the digital gaming industry is still in
its early stages in Malta, the report comments positively on the country's
potential particularly in view of the strong ICT industry and the possibility
of transferring skills not only from other existing sectors such as software
development or iGaming, but also from other industries such as film and
audiovisual which make use of similar skills as those required by the digital
gaming industry.

The report also highlighted other benefits that Malta offers
and which could attract other foreign companies or encourage local start-ups,
such as the support of educational institutions which provide tailor-made
courses as well as the availability of wide-ranging fiscal and financial
incentives to support the industry's growth.

The conference also provided the opportunity for those
present to discuss the report prepared by Games Audit Ltd, the industry's
prospects and issues of concern during a panel discussion.

Besides Prof. Latham,
the panel also comprised some of the industry's stakeholders, namely Ingo
Mesche from AV Technologies, Matthew Pullicino from The Bigger Picture, Michael
Pitzschel from Big Point International, the EU expert on digital games Carlo
Donzella and the President of ICT section within the Malta Chamber of Commerce,
Enterprise and Industry Keith Fearne. Nick Porsche, himself a game developer,
moderated the debate

What we can do for you

EMPLOYMENT & CONSUMER LAW

INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE

PRIORITY ACCESS

LOCAL ISSUES & LEGISLATION

NETWORKING EVENTS

LEGAL ADVICE

EU FUNDS AND SCHEMES

INFORMATION SESSIONS, MASTERCLASSES AND CONFERENCES

BECOME A MEMBER

The Malta Chamber of SMEs represents over 7,000 members from over 90 different sectors which in their majority are either small or medium sized companies, and such issues like the one we're experiencing right now, it's important to be united. Malta Chamber of SMEs offers a number of different services tailored to its members' individual requirements' and necessities. These range from general services offered to all members to more individual & bespoke services catered for specific requirements.

A membership with Malta Chamber of SMEs will guarantee that you are constantly updated and informed with different opportunities which will directly benefit your business and help you grow. It also entails you to a number of services which in their majority are free of charge and offered exclusively to its members (in their majority all free of charge).