Answers to Questions

Video Game Development

504 Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (8 June 2021). Do any of the locally developed video games have in-built capacity to encourage gamers to purchase add-ons for real money while gaming?

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley—Minister for Innovation and Skills): I have been advised:

About three-quarters of Australians engage in some form of video game play—that's according to the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association, or IGEA, the peak industry body.

In designing the South Australian Video Game Development Rebate, the government has made it clear that the rebate is not available to gambling games.

South Australia's game development industry has never been in better shape, thanks in part to our nation-leading video game development rebate which provides support to enable local businesses to grow. The Marshall government's nation leading South Australian Video Game Development Rebate has created the settings for expansion and growth in game development businesses locally. The government welcomes the Morrison government's introduction of a similar rebate at the national level, giving our local businesses further access to supports for growth.

Some video games, including those made in South Australia, offer in-game purchases—this is a standard feature of games worldwide. In-game purchases are legal and there is nothing improper about their use in-games when implemented responsibly. I am advised by IGEA in-game purchases are always optional and are never necessary for playing or finishing the game, even when those games are already free.

I further understand that the video games industry has taken several steps to give players greater information and choice about whether they wish to make in-game purchases. For example, all the major video game platforms provide tools, settings, or controls to limit spending and access to credit cards, including the ability of players or their parents or carers to turn off in-game spending entirely. All major video game storefronts also provide specific consumer advice at the point of download to indicate whether a game contains in-game purchases.

Further, most major video game companies are also now providing, or are in the process of introducing, additional transparency through the disclosure of the relative rarity or probabilities of randomised items in games (also known as 'drop rates').