About | CODE

WHAT IS CODE?

CODE is an economic development initiative designed to nurture a nationally significant, sustainable game development ecosystem in Aotearoa – New Zealand, supporting the broader target of New Zealand achieving an industry revenue in excess of $1BN annually.

CODE has three main pillars:

CODE is the New Zealand Centre of Digital Excellence - a Dunedin-based hub designed to support a sustainable and equitable expansion of New Zealand's video game development industry.

FUNDING

CODE directly supports game development in Aotearoa – New Zealand, funding throughout a studio lifecycle – Kickstart for the creation of Prototypes, Start Up for Production support and matched Scale Up funding for successful companies to drive ambition and employment. We also fund curriculum development and community programmes that support the teaching or learning of game development skills.

PATHWAYS

CODE works with its partners in education, for example Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago to help with curriculum development and provide industry-ready programmes, all the way from Levels 4 to 7. Along with Game Dev Clubs for Intermediate age kids and other initiatives still in development, CODE supports many pathways for rangatahi into the industry. See Learning page for more information.

CAPABILITY

CODE organises workshops, seminars, masterclasses and meetups accessible to all members of the game dev community, with the goal of uplifting the capabilities of individuals and companies in the industry. Additionally, CODE organises targeted mentorship for both funded teams and those who have not yet submitted successful applications to help them on the journeys to operating sustainable studio businesses.

CODE VALUES

Leadership
CODE aspires to provide a unique combination of interventions that will have a direct impact of the success of studios and show leadership within Aotearoa – New Zealand.

Partnership

CODE is interconnected throughout the industry and with communities it touches – working as a team and collaborating systemically with partners around the country, the region and the globe.

Sustainability

CODE focuses on outcomes that will become self-sustaining over time, driving efficient, dynamic outcomes and a healthy ecosystem.

Diversity

CODE nurtures an inclusive, equitable and respectful environment within studios in Aotearoa – New Zealand, protecting the interests of underrepresented groups and uplifting those whose voices need to be heard and protected from harm.

Development

CODE actively encourages tuakana – teina relationships between studios, nurtures great learning outcomes in conjunction with its partners and promotes a commitment to excellence in the local industry.

Integrity

CODE should be honest, open and trustworthy – showing discipline in its processes, accountable for its decisions and balanced and fair in its support.