Understanding How Marginal National Video Game Industries Differ

This article compares small (19 employees or fewer) video game developers’ commercial and creative mindsets in three marginal video game industries, Australia, New Zealand, and Greece, to understand how these industries differ. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 62 participants across the three countries and analysed using thematic analysis. Despite all three national industries’ marginal status, there were similarities and clear differences in how the participant developers approached video game production. In particular, the lack of institutional support available for the Greek industry resulted in developers utilising networks and reputation. The research highlights how marginal, national video game industries cannot be simply grouped together because the developers within them display differences, as a result of their industry contexts, which influence and impact their video game development. These findings have implications for support from governments and education.