Games Quarterly - June 2026

Kia ora koutou kātoa,

It’s our second Games Quarterly and once again we have a selection of studio spotlights and industry news to keep you updated.

If there’s something you’d like to see featured in Games Quarterly, or a studio win you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. Just email ​gamesrebate@nzonair.govt.nz​.

And, if you're not on the mailing list to get the Games Quarterly sent directly to your email inbox, just go here to subscribe to Game Development Sector Rebate newsletters.

We’re right in the middle of a busy phase for the Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR), with assessment currently underway for the 2026 GDSR and funding decisions due in July.

With 45 studios successfully registered – up from 42 last year – it shows a steady 7% year-on-year increase.

We have also seen an early indication that the New Zealand game development sector is tracking steadily towards a provisional annual revenue figure of over $1b. This comes as parts of the global games industry continue to navigate significant challenges, flat growth, layoffs and project cancellations. Despite these pressures, Aotearoa’s sector has remained resilient – growing at close to 20 times the global rate in 2024–25. Check out the NZ Studio Spotlight section below 👇 for more.

NZ Games Festival and NZGDC

NZ On Air was proud to support the 2026 NZ Games Festival in its milestone 10th year as Event Partner of the Play by Play Conference and a sponsor of The Pavs: NZ Game Awards. The festival brought the industry together to celebrate the craft of game development and the community behind it. Our support reflects our commitment to lifting New Zealand stories and voices, and contributing to a vibrant, connected games sector. Congrats to Jeremy Cameron (Unsung Hero award); Niamh Fitzgerald (Industry Pillar award) and Total Chaos by Trigger Happy Interactive (‘Slice of Heaven’ Grand Prize).

We’re also looking ahead to the New Zealand Game Developers Conference in October, where NZ On Air will be available to connect with studios interested in the rebate and share how the GDSR is supporting studios to grow, innovate and succeed. To find out more about NZGDC, ​go here​.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• We recently saw a significant moment for Aotearoa’s games sector — and one NZ On Air is proud to have played a big part in. The industry is on track to surpass $1b in annual revenue, based on early data from the 2026 GDSR process and insights from the NZGDA – hitting that milestone two years earlier than expected, with the final confirmed total due later this year. As our CE Cameron Harland puts it: “Crossing the $1b mark is a huge milestone and a strong signal that the targeted support of the GDSR is clearly working – helping New Zealand studios back themselves, invest in growth, build capability, retain talent and make their mark on the global stage.” Read more here.
• Kiwi studio Grandma’s Favourite Games is seeing breakout success with its Roblox hit, 99 Nights in the Forest, now the platform’s seventh most-played game of all time. The survival horror title has secured a major feature film deal with 20th Century Fox for creators Alec Kieft, Matthew Hufton and Cameron Angland, highlighting the scale of opportunity on platforms like Roblox, where Kiwi studios are finding new audiences and building globally recognised IP. Read the NZ Herald article here.
• In April, the NZ Herald highlighted the growing influence of women in the games industry. Women now make up almost half of all gamers globally, with those over 30 one of the fastest growing and most economically powerful segments. Sam Ramlu (Mighty Eyes and Mad Carnival) and NZ On Air’s own Chantelle Cole highlighted the rise of games that prioritise connection over competition – “cosy games, narrative games, games with cultural stories, with emotional depth… [that] put relationships, identity and emotional depth at the centre of their stories”. To read more, check out the article here.
• Dry Cactus, a South Island-based studio, marked a milestone in April with the launch of Poly Bricks. The clever puzzle-builder invites players to experiment, create and problem-solve through a world of modular bricks and inventive challenges. Since launching on Steam, the game has received praise for its relaxing, tactile gameplay and creative freedom. Poly Bricks is already beginning to find an audience among players looking for cosy, creativity-led experiences. Check it out here.

If your studio has news to share, we’d love to hear it — drop us a line.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A snapshot of global industry news, spanning the latest data and insights, behind-the-scenes features and stories showcasing the global impact of video games.

• Sony Santa Monica Studio has announced God of War: Laufey, the next instalment in the critically acclaimed God of War franchise – and amongst the newly announced cast, you might just recognise the super-talented New Zealand actor/presenter Perlina Lau, known for her presenting work with RNZ on Culture 101 and as an actor in Kiwi content such as Creamerie and Friday Night Bites. Lau voices the character Rue and joins an international cast in what is expected to be one of the industry's most closely watched upcoming releases. Check out the YouTube Meet The Cast video here.
  
• Game development timelines are coming under increased scrutiny, with creators highlighting the growing complexity behind modern titles – from larger teams and higher player expectations to the ongoing demands of live-service development. In his podcast, developer Thomas Brush discusses the realities of long production cycles and the journey from idea to completion. Why Do Games Take SO Long To Make? | Thomas Brush
• New statistics shared by open-source engine provider Godot suggest indie developers are building sustainable businesses in spaces traditionally underserved by major publishers. The piece points to the role of accessible tools, digital distribution and community-led development in supporting a growing global indie economy. Check it out here: Indie games thrive in territory traditional publishers ignored | GamesIndustry.biz
• Proving innovation can come from anywhere, even the past, indie publisher New Blood recently surfaced more than 1,000 player-submitted ideas via a retro voicemail tip line – and used it to inform future concepts and creative direction. The approach highlights how developers are experimenting with different forms of community engagement to generate ideas and strengthen audience connection. Indie publisher New Blood | PC Gamer
• IGN Entertainment has released a public report, developed in partnership with Kantar and UC Berkeley, offering insight into content discovery and player behaviour trends. You can find out more here: IGN Entertainment releases internal data as public report | GamesIndustry.biz

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In April, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) released two reports – one on the economic value of New Zealand’s cultural systems and the other on how those cultural systems contribute to Aotearoa’s international relationships.

The research was commissioned to assess the economic value of Aotearoa’s cultural sectors – and showed that productivity in the arts and creative sector in New Zealand is growing, driven by industries such as film and TV, music and game development. The research shows that in 2025 these industries contributed over $26m to GDP, with creative exports generating almost NZ$3.8b.

You can find this research on the MCH website:

• ​Economic value ​
• ​Global connections ​

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You’re known for your work on cosy games. What makes that genre resonate?

If you look at stats, you’ll see lots of reasons people play cosy games, with relaxation, escape from stress, and low pressure play fairly standard answers. I’d say there’s something more, though, and it’s about community.

A lot of cosy games are about characters who were alone coming to a new place and becoming part of a community. Many evoke a real sense of belonging, and logging in after a period of absence can feel like coming home. It’s a safe and warm respite after a hard day.

I understand it is of particular appeal to women? Why do you think that is?

From studies, more than half of cosy gamers are women. We also know women statistically experience more stress than men, so if escaping from stress is a pull, that could be a big reason.

Where do you think cosy games will go next or what will be the next growth area in games?

The million-dollar question! I think cosy games will continue to rise in popularity …I also think players will value authenticity and human voices more as AI slop rises, so I hope to see growth in stories that are more quirky, personal and meaningful. And if it can be done with cute art and awesome gameplay, count me in.

To read the full interview, you can find it here on our website.

Ngā mihi nui

NZ On Air is committed to supporting sustainable, globally competitive game development across Aotearoa. If you have questions about the GDSR, want to share studio wins or have any other information to include in our Games Quarterly, just get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Stay in the loop: Share | Send us your wins

Contact: gamesrebate@nzonair.govt.nz

More info: NZ On Air