Game Connect 2011: Who Says the Australian Video Game Market is Dead?

Who Says the Australian Video Game Market is Dead? It Doesn't Even Smell Funny

Tom Crago
CEO, Tantalus

Tom Crago is the CEO of internationally renowned video game developer Tantalus, a studio with more than thirty-five highly acclaimed titles to its credit. Tom is also the CEO and Founder of Straight Right, a sister company to Tantalus focusing primarily on digitally distributed content. Straight Right recently released Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed on iOS, in partnership with EA Mobile. Recent Tantalus titles include Cars: Race o Rama, Drift Street International and MX vs ATV. Tom has degrees in Arts, Law and International Business, is a past President of the Game Developers' Association of Australia, and is presently serving on the Federal Innovation Minister's IT Industry Innovation Council, as well as the Book Industry Strategy Group.

JAY WILBUR
Vice President of Business Development, Epic Games

Jay Wilbur is a 22-year veteran in the computer gaming industry. Currently, Wilbur holds the position of Vice President of Business Development to Epic Games where he works as part of the Epic management team. Jay's responsibilities include managing Epic's Business Development, Finance, Legal and Engine Licensing teams. Under Jay's management Epic's success in these key areas remains dramatic most recently expanding Epic's reach with engine license and/or support teams in Asia and Europe. Previously, Wilbur was the co-owner and business manager of id Software, a highly successful computer game development company. At id, Wilbur managed all of the company's business activities including developing, implementing and maintaining id's highly successful direct and retail distribution and marketing strategies for such blockbuster titles as Wolfenstein 3D, Spear of Destiny, DOOM, DOOM II, Final DOOM, QUAKE and all related ancillary software/non-software products. Wilbur's responsibilities at id also included managing publishing and third party developer relationships; public relations; overseeing legal affairs, including all contract negotiating/closing activities; and managing financial related activities. Prior to id Software, Wilbur managed Apple II and IBM-compatible software development at Softdisk Publishing in Shreveport, LA. Before that, Wilbur spent three years managing Apple II software development for UpTime, a software development company in Newport, RI.

ROD FUNG
Senior Developer Account Manager, Worldwide Games Publishing, Microsoft Corporation

For the past 21+ years, Rod Fung has led top-tier game development studios, created AAA award-winning games, and led major games publishing divisions. In addition Rod is a founding member of the the Xbox 360, Kinect, and Xbox LIVE launch teams. He is currently a senior manager within Microsoft's Worldwide Publishing team, Rod manages developer relations with top tier game studios throughout the world helping them to create 'best in class' titles for all Microsoft gaming platforms including Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, Games for Windows Live, and Windows Phone 7 gaming.

JIM WILLSON
Konami Digital Entertainment

As the Head of Sales and Marketing, Americas for Mobile at Konami Digital Entertainment, Jim Willson is responsible for defining the business and product strategy for mobile and driving revenue for the division. Prior to Konami, Jim held various roles in sales, operations and business development with JAMDAT Mobile, EA Mobile and Vivendi Games Mobile.

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• GCAP
• GDAA
• Australia
• games
• industry
• Tom
• Crago
• Tantalus
• JAY
• WILBUR
• Epic
• Games
• ROD
• FUNG
• Microsoft
• JIM
• WILLSON
• Konami
• Digital
• Entertainment

[Dimitri0809]

@2GuysThatPlayGames

Most developers are located in japan, america and europe but most develpers in australia can distribute games from australia aswell.

[2GuysThatPlayGames]

Is there alot of oppurtunites of creating games in Australia?

Because I thought it was America that was bigger.