New Zealand's game sector continues to grow as combined studio revenue supported by its Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR) rose 17% to $829 million in 2025/26.
Data reveals growth across 43 studios, with games in development rising to 194. According to data from NZ On Air, 43 studios received $21.9 million in funding, compared to $22.4 million the previous year. While the number of games in development grew from 170 to 194, the decrease in overall funding was attributed to the rise in the number of studios. Ninety percent of studios benefiting from GDSR were small to medium-sized businesses. Medium-sized studios reported the strongest gains, with a 44% increase in revenue. Small studios saw a 21% rise, and large studios grew by 10%. Export revenue accounted for 98% of total revenue for studios receiving GDSR funding. While total full-time employment fell from 1,288 to 1,124, the average studio increased its workforce by 14%. Last month, the New Zealand game development industry surpassed $1 billion in revenue, reaching this milestone two years ahead of schedule. The 2026 GDSR result contributed the majority of this total. The New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA) had projected the sector would reach this target by 2028, following the introduction of the GDSR in 2023. In the previous year, the sector generated $758.9 million and saw a 29% increase in workforce numbers.
