New Zealand is a country with a rich gaming history and a thriving gaming industry. In recent years, the country has produced some exceptional gaming studios, which have been recognized globally for their innovative game design and high-quality gameplay. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best gaming studios in New Zealand today, highlighting their notable games, unique strengths, and why they are worth recognizing.
Before diving into the list, let’s take a moment to provide some context on the gaming industry in New Zealand. The country has a relatively small gaming industry, with around 500 game developers and 80 studios, but it is a rapidly growing and dynamic industry. According to the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association, the New Zealand gaming industry generated $407 million in revenue in 2022 and is expected to grow to $650 million by 2025.
New Zealand’s gaming industry has a history that dates back to the 1980s, when the country’s first gaming studio, Sidhe Interactive, was founded. Since then, the industry has grown steadily, with more and more gaming studios emerging and producing games across a variety of platforms. Today, New Zealand’s gaming industry is known for its creativity, innovation, and ability to produce games that stand out in the global market.
Methodology
To compile this list of the best gaming studios in New Zealand, we looked at a variety of factors, including critical acclaim, commercial success, and overall impact on the gaming industry. We also took into consideration the studio’s unique strengths, such as its expertise in a particular genre or its use of innovative technology. Our list is based on our own research and is by no means exhaustive or definitive.
One studio that has made a name for itself in the online casino industry in NZ is PikPok, which has developed popular casino games like Super Cat Casino and Four Guardians. These games have earned high ratings on the app stores and provide players with hours of fun and entertainment. The success of PikPok’s casino games is a testament to the growing popularity of online casino gaming in NZ. While the gaming industry in New Zealand is not just limited to traditional gaming studios, the emergence of new online casino platforms in the country highlights the expanding reach of the industry. With innovative studios like PikPok leading the way in the market of online casinos in NZ, it’s clear that this industry will continue to grow and play a vital role in the overall gaming landscape.
Top Gaming Studios in New Zealand
1. Grinding Gear Games
- Location: Auckland
- Notable Games: Path of Exile
- Strengths: Expertise in the Action-RPG genre, free-to-play model, regular updates and expansions
- Why it deserves to be on the list: Path of Exile is one of the most popular online action role-playing games in the world, with a dedicated fan base and frequent updates that keep the game fresh and engaging.
2. PikPok
- Location: Wellington
- Notable Games: Into the Dead, Rival Stars Basketball, Flick Kick Football
- Strengths: Expertise in mobile games, visually stunning graphics, focus on intuitive gameplay
- Why it deserves to be on the list: PikPok has produced a wide range of successful mobile games that are visually impressive and fun to play, with gameplay that is easy to pick up but difficult to master.
3. Ninja Kiwi
- Location: Auckland
- Notable Games: Bloons Tower Defense series, SAS: Zombie Assault series, Battle Panic
- Strengths: Expertise in tower defense games, accessible gameplay, strong community engagement
- Why it deserves to be on the list: Ninja Kiwi has a loyal following of fans who appreciate the studio’s fun, addictive tower defense games and their commitment to engaging with the community.
4. RocketWerkz
- Location: Dunedin
- Notable Games: Out of Ammo, Living Dark
- Strengths: Expertise in VR games, innovative gameplay mechanics, commitment to pushing boundaries
- Why it deserves to be on the list: RocketWerkz is at the forefront of VR game development, producing games that use the technology in creative and unexpected ways and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in virtual reality.
Honorable Mentions
While the above studios are undoubtedly some of the best gaming studios in New Zealand, there are many other studios worth mentioning. Here are a few more notable gaming studios in New Zealand:
1. Aurora 44
- Location: Wellington
- Notable Games: Ashen
- Strengths: Expertise in action role-playing games, immersive storytelling, visually stunning graphics
- Why it deserves to be on the list: Aurora 44 has created a beautifully crafted game in Ashen that stands out in the role-playing action genre with unique features like cooperative gameplay and immersive storytelling.
2. Runaway Play
- Location: Dunedin
- Notable Games: Flutter, Splash: Underwater Sanctuary
- Strengths: Expertise in mobile games, focus on environmental themes, visually appealing games
- Why it deserves to be on the list: Runaway Play is a studio that prioritizes environmental themes in its games, creating mobile games like Flutter that are visually stunning and bring players closer to nature.
3. A44 Games
- Location: Wellington
- Notable Games: Ashen, The Pathless
- Strengths: Expertise in open-world adventure games, emotionally driven storytelling, visually stunning graphics
- Why it deserves to be on the list: A44 Games is a studio that is known for creating open-world adventure games that are both visually stunning and emotionally powerful. Their game, The Pathless, is a game that brings together stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and an immersive story that explores themes like trust, loyalty, and friendship.
Conclusion
In conclusion, New Zealand has a rich and growing gaming industry, with many talented studios producing innovative games across a variety of platforms. The best gaming studios in New Zealand stand out for their unique strengths, expertise, and their ability to produce games that captivate audiences around the world. From Grinding Gear Games and PikPok to Ninja Kiwi, RocketWerkz, Aurora 44, Runaway Play, and A44 Games, these studios are paving the way for the future of the New Zealand gaming industry. With so much talent and innovation in the industry, it’s no wonder that the New Zealand gaming industry is growing and becoming a key player in the global gaming market.
