Wellington Games Week highlights surge in New Zealand game talent

Wellington is set to host Wellington Games Week, highlighting the growth and achievements of New Zealand's video game industry.

The event, held alongside the New Zealand Game Developers Conference, will place a particular focus on Wellington's contributions, including an unprecedented showcase of over 70 games developed in New Zealand. The Game Zone Public Day at Tākina on Saturday marks a record number of local titles available for the public to experience.

Growing industry

A prominent feature of the programme will be Wētā Workshop's recently released game, 'Tales of the Shire', which will be paired with a themed installation to bring a Hobbit hole to life in the heart of Wellington. This activation connects the well-known Middle-earth brand with the city's emerging status as a game development centre.

The past year has seen considerable international recognition for New Zealand-developed games. In the last 12 months, three locally produced titles achieved global top 10 status in most-played rankings. Notably, 'Grow a Garden' on the Roblox platform spent nearly two weeks at the number one spot worldwide, surpassing established industry leaders such as Fortnite and registering 21.3 million concurrent users.

This trend is further illustrated by the continued popularity of games such as Dinosaur Polo Club's 'Mini Motorways', which has now reached a player base exceeding nine million. Another example is Floating Rock's project 'KYŌRYŪ', which has recently attracted a global publisher and is now expanding its senior development team.

Wellington's position

"This is a true coming-of-age moment for New Zealand and Wellington's game industry," says Mark Westerby, Screen Wellington Head of Attraction. "From blockbuster fantasy worlds to record-breaking indie hits, Wellington - a UNESCO Creative City of Film - is home to a creative ecosystem where games can flourish, scale globally, and deliver world-leading digital exports."

The release of the 2025 NZ Game Development Industry Survey is expected to report another record period of sector growth. While the latest national figures are due to be announced soon, local data already indicate strong performance in Wellington. According to the most recent Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR) statistics, Wellington experienced a 12.8% increase in game development employment over the past year. Currently, 34% of New Zealand's GDSR-eligible game development workforce is based in Wellington, and out of 40 studios awarded GDSR funding in 2025, 11 are headquartered in the capital.

The GDSR offers a 20% rebate on eligible development expenses and is described as a significant driver of industry expansion, promoting investment, stimulating job growth, and enhancing New Zealand's international reach.

Wellington Games Week events

Wellington Games Week offers a range of public and industry-focused events, including workshops, studio tours, and networking sessions. The centrepiece is the public Game Zone day at Tākina, which aims to attract families, gaming enthusiasts, and industry professionals to observe the creative and economic growth occurring within the local digital sector.

Attendees have the opportunity to play over 70 New Zealand-made games and meet the developers behind them, gaining direct access to the talent and creativity that are currently shaping the country's video game exports.

The event is designed for a broad audience. Organisers have encouraged anyone interested in New Zealand's potential in the global digital market to participate, regardless of their background, highlighting the sector's potential as an export industry.

Wellington Games Week and the associated Game Developers Conference underline the importance of digital creativity to Wellington and New Zealand's broader economic outlook, supported by ongoing job growth and increased international attention for the region's games sector.