“In 2004, a largely anonymous team of Australian video game developers released a prototype video game titled Escape from Woomera.”

“In this 3D adventure, the player takes on the role of Mustafa, an Iranian refugee fleeing violent repression who is being held in a virtual re-creation of the (now-shut) Woomera Immigration Reception and Processing Centre.”

“Mustafa is facing deportation back to Iran – which will mean almost certain death. He and the player must escape.”

“Escape from Woomera was one of the first Australian video games ever to receive government funding to support its development.”

“In 2003, the creators received a A$25,000 grant from the national arts body, the Australia Council for the Arts (now Creative Australia).”

“The game itself, and the fact it was awarded public funding, were highly controversial.”

“Australia has a robust ecosystem of video game development supported by grant programs across the country.”

“My research looked at the scope and structure of these programs and examined how they affect game developers.”

“The structures of funding programs emphasise generating profit and growing the video game industry.”

“I read through more than 50 annual reports, strategic documents and other materials from Australian arts funding bodies to analyse funding policies for Australian video games.”

“I interviewed 11 game developers to understand their experiences with public funding.”

“The language it asks you to use is so corporate, you know, and it’s like, who is this talking to? Who is this for? And the answer is always a company. I’m not a company, I’m a person.”

“They suggested funding agencies provide venue space and smaller, more accessible funding options for developers to run events and support communities.”

“The documents emphasised the economic potential of the video game industry, frequently citing growth rates, expenditure figures and returns on investment as justification for continuing to fund game development.”

“Australian-made games such as Untitled Goose Game and Cult of the Lamb have achieved international critical success.”

“When public funding is unavailable, video game developers often rely on crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter.”

“Recommendations for changes include example applications, feedback on applications, and flexible formats for diversity information submissions.”

“Tensions were particularly acute around providing diversity information. Most funding applications ask applicants to submit information about diversity, equity and inclusion in a highly formalised format.”

“The developers I spoke to felt 'icky', 'gross', 'weird' and 'uncomfortable' while completing these forms, describing them as 'tokenising', 'dehumanising' and 'impersonal'.”

“They generally held positive sentiment towards the funding available to them, describing it as a 'lifeline', 'fantastic' and 'awesome'.”

“Many video game developers struggle to find secure public funding options.”

“These agencies’ economic priorities heavily influence how public funding programs are structured – which can make them seem highly formal and business-like.”

“They found the application processes for public funding overly formal, forcing them to adapt their artistic practices to a rigid, business-like structure.”

“Company or community? This formality creates difficulties for game developers, whose work practices are often artistic, informal and adaptive.”