Three Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) Bachelor of Screen Arts (BSA) students have gained valuable industry experience and new professional connections after securing CODE (New Zealand Centre of Digital Excellence) scholarships to attend the New Zealand Game Developers Conference (NZGDC) in Auckland.
The scholarships covered flights, accommodation and conference tickets, removing a significant financial barrier for the students and giving them the opportunity to meet game developers, studios and other industry professionals at the New Zealand International Convention Centre on 30 September to 3 October.
Third-year Bachelor of Screen Arts Game Design student Gary Polivert said the scholarship provided access to an event he otherwise may not have been able to attend. “The tickets alone were quite expensive, and I probably wouldn't have attended without the scholarship.”
Gary described the conference as inspiring, with a highlight being the opening keynote on cultural awareness in games. He also came away with a greater appreciation of the opportunities available to New Zealand developers.
“There is value in being a New Zealand developer. Internationally, it makes people curious, and locally, other Kiwis are supportive of that identity as well.”
The conference also encouraged him to continue developing the professional relationships he has made as he approaches graduation. “The conference made me much more aware of what's out there, so I plan to stay in touch with the people I met and continue building those relationships.”
Gary initially came to SIT from Wānaka to study Audio Production. Collaborating with a Screen Arts student on a Sound for Visual Media paper, sparked Gary’s interest in visual media and ultimately led him into the Bachelor of Screen Arts (Game Design).
Fellow scholarship recipient Winter Allerby said being immersed in the conference and its game development community was a highlight.
“For me, it was just walking around, checking out all the games people were showcasing, talking to creators, and getting to know people; everyone I met was super nice.”
Winter thought the timing was particularly beneficial. “It was amazing timing and a great opportunity to actually network before I graduate and join the industry.”
Winter also made a mark playing Ascension: The Immortal Alchemist. “I played for ages because they were doing a competition; I'm competitive. They had a level created especially for the event and were giving away Steam keys to the top people who could beat it,” Winter explained.
After being told nobody had yet beaten the level, Winter beat the game creator’s time by half a second, as well as being the first person to complete it. "By the end, it wasn't even about the Steam key. I just wanted the bragging rights of being the first player to finish the level."
After graduating, Winter plans to return home to family in Palmerston North for a well-earned summer break before seeking opportunities in Wellington.
“Ideally, I’d like to get a job in Wellington. It’s close to home and has a decent-sized game development industry, with quite a few people in the industry and studios based there.”
Third-year BSA student Lillia McNatty, who has lived in Invercargill all her life, hopes to relocate to Christchurch after graduating. She found the networking opportunities at NZGDC were particularly valuable. “Making new connections was the best part of it,” she said.
“I've found quite a few people who want my help and my expertise in the places I'm looking at moving to after I graduate.”
The scholarship made attending the conference possible for Lillia. “It would have been financially out of reach for me otherwise.”
She said the conference also provided insights extending beyond what students encounter through formal study.
“There was a lot of good industry advice as well. I learned a lot of things that you're not really going to be taught in school.”
Perhaps most importantly, the experience strengthened Lillia’s confidence about entering the industry. “It was such a warm and welcoming event. I didn't imagine that I'd be talking to everybody there.”
Vee Pendergrast, CODE Industry Development Manager said the SIT students innovation and enthusiasm helped to secure their scholarships.
“Broadly, [they] were all highly enterprising and very keen to get outside their comfort zones and seize this unique opportunity. It was certainly a mix of personalities, but everyone showed eagerness to engage, learn new things and bring knowledge back home.”
She said the significance of attending NZGDC was particularly about giving the scholarship recipients the opportunity to make connections with people in the industry.
“There's obviously not a huge game development industry within Invercargill, but the biggest things are the in-person conversations. Discord and online forums are great for continuing a relationship but not so great at organically starting things. So, we can solve that by getting people to meet developers in an industry setting, play some games, form some friendships and move forward.”
Ms Pendergrast said what the scholarship recipients took away from the experience went beyond attending lectures and sessions.
“We at CODE were very keen that while the scholarship recipients could go and attend a few of the lectures and sessions, it was all about the Kiwi Games Zone and making new relationships. Regardless of whether you're looking for a job or starting a new thing, building a network of peers is everything. Nothing gets you a job faster than being tapped on the shoulder; nothing gets you a reality check in indie dev (independent developer) business than getting on a call with someone more experienced.”
SIT Bachelor of Screen Arts Programme Manager James Wilkinson said SIT’s relationship with Dunedin-based CODE had helped make students aware of opportunities such as the NZGDC scholarships. CODE has visited SIT and presented to BSA students and is represented on the programme’s industry advisory committee.
However, Mr Wilkinson stressed the students had earned the scholarships through their own initiative. “Good on them to have applied and got the funding because it wasn't guaranteed. They had to show some motivation and initiative, and they were rewarded for that.”
With all three students now on the cusp of graduating, Gary says he’s taking valuable advice from his final year at SIT that neatly sums up his approach as he continues developing creative projects and building his industry experience: “Make stuff exist and then make it good.”