Developing new connections for NSW creators

Five rising games practitioners will have the opportunity to travel to GCAP (Games Connect Asia Pacific), Australia’s leading professional gaming event, this October to gain invaluable insights and connect with leading creators and decision-makers in the games industry, with support from the NSW Government.

Screen NSW’s GCAP 2024 Travel Support Program opens for applications today and will provide $500 in travel support and an all-access ticket to the event for up to five emerging or mid-level NSW game practitioners.

Hosted annually since 2005, GCAP is Australia’s premier professional development and networking event for the game development industry. With support from Screen NSW, five emerging game-makers will have the chance to travel to Melbourne for the event and attend lectures, workshops, exhibitions as well as networking events to build connections with key industry stakeholders.

Increasing support for digital games was a commitment as part of Creative Communities and will be a key pillar of the upcoming three-year NSW Screen & Digital Games Strategy. This program is the second offering of market travel support for NSW game makers by Screen NSW, following on from the recent announcement that Screen NSW supported five experienced practitioners who attended Gamescom 2024 in Germany.

For the 2024 edition of GCAP, Screen NSW is partnering with Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) as a silver sponsor and the Screen NSW team will be available for meetings throughout the event. Screen NSW will also host a breakfast for NSW based GCAP attendees on the opening morning of the event on Monday 7 October.

Applications close on Friday 6 September 2024 at 2pm.

For more information and to apply, visit here.

Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said:

“Our Gamescom 2024 Market Travel Program was a great opportunity to support our established creators with games ready to market internationally. Here we can support our up-and-coming practitioners looking to upskill and establish their professional networks with lead developers and studios at GCAP.

“Ensuring our NSW creators are well supported at every level of their career, particularly when they are looking to create career pathways and opportunities is important to ensure we have a sustainable digital games sector.”

Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) CEO Ron Curry said:

“We are thrilled that Screen NSW continues to champion local developers by supporting GCAP, the premier conference for game developers in our region. This year’s GCAP will facilitate connections with industry professionals, offering opportunities for business development, upskilling, and educational programs. It’s inspiring to see Screen NSW providing this funding, ensuring NSW game developers can expand their knowledge and networks across vital creative and business sectors.”

Image credit: GCAP 2023. Courtesy of IGEA.