In recent years, New Zealand has emerged as a hotbed for mobile game development, with its vibrant indie game scene captivating audiences worldwide. The country's government-funded Centre of Digital Excellence, Code, has played a significant role in nurturing this growth, providing funding, mentorship, and training to developers.

At the annual Pax Australia gaming conference, attendees were treated to a showcase of New Zealand's finest mobile games, including titles like Headlice, a comedic game where you control a parasitic headcrab monster, and How Was Your Day?, a cozy time-loop game set in New Zealand. These innovative games not only showcased the country's creative prowess but also its ability to produce engaging, unique experiences that stand out in a crowded market.

According to a survey by the New Zealand Game Developers Association (NZGDA), the total revenue for local game developer studios has risen steadily each year since 2018, with a significant jump of 38% between 2024 and 2026. This growth is largely attributed to the success of independent games like Grinding Gear Games' Path of Exile series, which reported revenue of NZ$105m between October 2024 and September 2026.

Code's innovative approach to supporting developers includes a program that not only provides funding but also educates them on best practices within the global industry. This comprehensive support system has helped many New Zealand-based studios achieve success, including PikPok, which has achieved over 500m worldwide downloads across all titles.

The country's unique focus on training developers to compete internationally sets it apart from other countries offering government funding for game development. Code's program encompasses not just grants but mentorships and specialized skill workshops, helping developers build the skills they need to succeed in a competitive market.

As Vee Pendergrast, development manager of Code, notes, "In this day and age, publishers and investors only want to engage with you when you have already got some degree of validation." By providing training and mentorship, Code helps developers achieve this validation, making them more attractive to investors and publishers.

The results are impressive, with every dollar spent by Code generating NZ$2.67 of investment back. The console release of Abiotic Factor, a Code-supported title from Deep Field Games, has sold over 1.4m copies on PC alone, further testament to the program's effectiveness.

On the floor at Pax, the developers showcased their games, which all shared one thing in common: they looked good, demoed well, and the developers knew how to talk to the media. Canvas City, a turn-based tactical combat rollerblading game, was a personal favorite, with its studio, Disc 2 Games, having spun off from Black Salt Games, which created the Code-supported smash hit Dredge.

Code's focus on supporting first-time developers has also been instrumental in helping new studios achieve success. As Nadia Thorne, chief executive and producer of Black Salt Games, notes, "A lot of indie studios wouldn’t be able to afford [coming to Pax for] this kind of exposure. Pooling together all those resources means that we’re able to come to a lot of shows that just would be out of reach otherwise."

The collaborative nature of the New Zealand game development scene is also noteworthy, with developers sharing ideas, experiences, and contacts to support one another. As Jevon Wright, developer of Adaptory, notes, "We all know each other, and we’re all here to support each other."

With 61 upcoming New Zealand games set to release on Steam by the end of the year, it's clear that this small country is producing a disproportionate number of innovative mobile games. To stand out in a crowded market, these games offer something unique – whether it's quirky storytelling or engaging gameplay mechanics.

As Vee Pendergrast notes, "We get a lot of cool, quirky, Kiwi-oriented stuff. That’s part of our whole brand." And with Code at the helm, New Zealand is well-positioned to continue its rise as a major player in the world of mobile game development.