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The New Zealand games industry is on the rise, growing 18 per cent year-on-year in 2014.

According to research commisioned by trade body IGEA, this is largely thanks to a 34 per cent jump in digital sales, which accounted for around 62 per cent of the market.

Download sales increased 13 per cent, while mobile games and in-app purchases generated NZD$132m (62m).

In total, the New Zealand games market was valued at NZD$347m (162m) last year.

Physical retail was largely static in 2014, dipping two per cent to NZD$130m (60.9m). Meanwhile sales of physical games dropped 9.3 per cent year-on-year.

New Zealand’s hardware market remains healthy, too, rising 24 per cent year-on-year. The new consoles have had the highest sales within 12 months of any hardware in the market ever.

While New Zealand’s gaming culture differs in many respects to Australia, that country plays a big part in how games go to market.

Some firms, including Sony and Microsoft, have a local footprint, but much of the industry’s activities, including much of the PR and marketing, are run from territory offices in Australia.

Physical units are handled via a network of locally based distributors. Some of these firms handle marketing and PR in New Zealand, such as Total Interactive with Activision.

The New Zealand Games Development Association (NZGDA), represents a vast network of locally based developers, with many success stories such as Pik Pok.

The NZGDA has been recognised for its resourceful and innovative projects in securing greater national success for its members.

Population: 4,570,038

Capital City: Wellington

Currency: New Zealand dollar

GDP (Per Capita): $41,555.83

KEY RETAILERS

EB Games, JB Hi-Fi, The Warehouse, Noel Leeming, Dick Smith Electronics, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Kmart, The GoodGuys

TOP DISTRIBUTORS

Total Interactive, AID, GDE Distribution, FivEight, All Interactive, Gamewizz, QV Software, Tuff Kat

TOP DEVELOPERS

Binary Star, Boolba Labs, CerebralFix, Custard Square, Gameloft, Grinding Gear Games, Launching Pad Games, Ninja Kiwi, Pik Pok, Runawayplay, Sidhe, Stickmen Studios

PUBLISHERS IN THE REGION

Sony, Microsoft, Take-Two, Bandai Namco, EA, Warner Bros