Pixels and perspectives: comparing the approaches of small video game developers in Australia and Japan

This study compares small video game developers in Australia and Japan to shed light on both industries and advance knowledge of local production contexts. Australia’s national industry is marginal, while Japan is considered a global leader in the video game industry. However, there has been limited research exploring Japan’s smaller video game developers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 Australian and 12 Japanese developers and analysed using thematic analysis. Despite existing in a marginal ecosystem, this study found that the small Australian video game developers demonstrated more commercial mindsets and focus than the small Japanese video game developers. Contextual factors unique to each country were behind this difference. This research contributes by adding to understandings of Australian and Japanese video game production contexts, and identifying structural and cultural differences, to advance knowledge of the global games industry.