Sidhe Scores New Zealand Government Tech Grant

Independent Wellington-based studio Sidhe Interactive has received funding from New Zealand's Foundation for Research, Science and Technology for the company's cross-platform development framework. Sidhe, New Zealand's largest game development company, has released games such as GripShift, the Speed Racer film's game adaptation, and Rugby League 2. Said co-founder and managing director Mario Wynands of the news, "The TechNZ funding will enable us to reach our goals faster by accelerating our development of technology to address the largest issues for this and future generations of game production. "Every production would benefit from having issues surrounding compliance, usability, and standardized functionality addressed from the outset." TechNZ, the business development program that assigned the grant, specializes in information technology and other high-tech areas. It awards NZ$50 million (US$29 million) per year to encourage New Zealand-based research and development, but the specific amount given to Sidhe was not disclosed. TechNZ positioned its decision as benefiting both local business and New Zealand's development reach. "Sidhe has continued to grow its leadership position in New Zealand's interactive entertainment industry, and its technology is an exemplar of what New Zealand companies are doing to address global innovation needs," said TechNZ senior business manager Joseph Stuart.