Understanding Small Video Game Developer Contexts in Australia and Japan

Japan is widely considered a dominant force and global leader in the international video game industry, while Australia’s national industry is much more marginal (de Pablos, 2024; Jørgensen, 2019; Keogh, 2019). However, despite the Japanese industry’s influence and international reputation, the smaller video game developers operating in its national industry have not been explored (Kobayashi and Koyama, 2020). Indeed, research into the diverse local contexts around the world that collectively make up the international video game industry is still fragmented and emerging (Daiiani and Keogh, 2022). Given the disparity in terms of the resources, business structures and experiences of small developers compared to large international developers like Nintendo, there are rich insights to be learned by understanding how a small video game developer located in a dominant industry (such as Japan) might differ compared to a small video game developer in a marginal industry (such as Australia). As such, this research explores and compares smaller, independent video game developers in Australia and Japan to understand their approaches to video game development and contribute understandings regarding the global industry (Kerr, 2017; Sotamaa, 2021). By comparing national industries, rich insights into differences in industry structures and cultures can be revealed (Eklund et al., 2024).