Company type | Private nonprofit |
---|---|
Industry | Workspace |
Founded | September 2013 |
Founder | Tony Reed |
Headquarters | Levels 1-2, 71-75 City Road, , |
Number of locations | 1 (2016) |
Area served | Melbourne, Australia |
Key people |
|
Services | |
Owner | Game Developer's Association of Australia |
Website | thearcade.melbourne |
The Arcade is an Australian nonprofit company that houses indie game developers in designated workspaces in order to foster a creative community "using game methodologies and technologies". [1] They share property rent and are open to game testing each other's games to offer critique and support.
The company was established in 2013 in Melbourne. [1] Tony Reed, president of the Game Developer's Association of Australia, came up with the idea in 2010. After being declined two times by the Australian government, they were given a chance to test it successfully, after which they were given funding from Film Victoria, as well as seed money from the GDAA. [2] Part of the rationale is due to politician Joe Hockey cancelling the Interactive Media Fund, thereby taking $10 million out of the Australian video game industry. [3]
As of 2016, the company hosts 33 [4] [5] video game studios from a small amount the previous year. [6] The company moved to a new premises in South Melbourne in early 2017.
In March 2020 IGEA merged with GDAA, acquiring all assets including The Arcade. [7] Key Arcade members Ceri Hutton and Sav Emmett Wolfe continue to run The Arcade whilst also assuming new roles within IGEA.[ citation needed]
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the company "offers discounted office space and hot desking, plus the significant benefits of shared knowledge and networking that come with working alongside others". [8]
One of the devs explained: "I was working from home, going insane. I found out that this space was starting up...It’s been incredible. If I’ve got a question from a tech perspective...I can just go and talk to some of Australia’s foremost experts...That kind of expertise is just invaluable as a developer". [9]
It currently houses 33 Australian gaming development studios including: