At PAX Australia 2025, New Zealand indie games stood out, with 18 developers showcasing their titles at the booth run by Code, the government-funded Centre of Digital Excellence. Notable games included the comedic Headlice, the cozy time-loop game How Was Your Day?, and the cooperative multiplayer action game Killing Things With Your Friends.
New Zealand's indie game sector is booming, with total revenue for local studios rising 38% between 2024 and 2025 to NZ$759 million (A$657 million), nearly double Australia's A$339.1 million. Successes include Grinding Gear Games' Path of Exile series (NZ$105 million revenue) and PikPok's 500 million global downloads.
Code, established in 2019 in Dunedin and expanded nationally in 2022, offers grants, mentorships, and workshops. In September, minister Shane Reti pledged an additional NZ$2.75 million per year, more than doubling its funding. Code's model focuses on training developers for international competition, with grants up to $250,000.
Code-supported title Abiotic Factor sold over 1.4 million copies on PC. Developers at the booth praised Code's support, which includes media training and budgeting skills. Every dollar spent by Code generates NZ$2.67 in investment, according to its calculations.
