My name is Rami Ismail, and I am the Government Relations board member of the Dutch Games Association. I’d like to give you occasional updates on the work we’re doing, behind the scenes, to ensure the government and the industry work together to ensure we all have the best opportunities to make games in the Netherlands.
It’s been a while, and I apologize for the radio silence. A lot has happened both in life (good things) and the industry (both good and bad) – and as such, I’ve been a bit more heads down and behind-the-scenes than I would like. As the government navigates the recent developments, my work might be a little more unpredictable, but it does give the industry more time to align our narrative with policy opportunities.
As for projects and initiatives, the following has been keeping me busy:
- I can say it now: INDIGO was a great success, and I could not be prouder of the Dutch Games Association team and the organizational crew for its achievements executing an ambitious plan to not just preserve, but set up INDIGO for a bright future. I cannot thank our partners at the municipality of Rotterdam, the province of South Holland, FLEGA, and the Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds for their support. I also want to thank every studio, every developer, every student that sponsored, volunteered, or otherwise contributed to making sure INDIGO can continue into the future. I genuinely hope we delivered an event you can be proud of. I know I was.
- At INDIGO, we were proud to host a Policy Track in close collaboration with our friends at Discord. With industry stakeholders and policy leaders from every corner of the Dutch political landscape present, we discussed the opportunities and challenges for the games industry in the Netherlands, and the positioning of our industry in the European and global market. While I am grateful for everyone who was present, I want to make a small additional mention of Director of Media and Creative Industries Youssef Louakili for the clear focus his team and Youssef have placed on games as a medium with cultural and societal importance. Additionally, I want to extend the same to Heleen Rouw, Program Director of the CIIIC, for her optimistic and significant focus on ensuring that games are a proud focal part of the exciting new funding landscape for immersive media and technology in the Netherlands.
- The Games Monitor is a critical part of proving the size, scope, opportunities, and threats that affect the Dutch Games Industry. In collaboration with and with support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science the Dutch Games Association has worked tirelessly to create a new edition of this critical piece of statistics. It was presented at INDIGO by project lead Christel van Grinsven and presented to Samantha Castano of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science. The full report is available here, and paints a picture of a versatile and resilient industry that maintains a (decreasing) lead in talent, creativity, and professionalism when measured against comparable countries.
- An appropriate positioning of ‘games’ as part of the future positioning for the Federation Creative Industries, with clear focus on topics that matter to us. This agenda informs the government of our hopes and needs for the financing mix in the Netherlands as part of the creative field – ensuring that our competitive advantages compared to our neighboring countries are not further eroded. It also tackles topics such as tender agreements, which might primarily affect our applied and serious members. If you have any questions, perspectives, or thoughts on topics you think the Dutch Games Association should be tackling on your behalf – do let me know.
- There is now a proposal for a (slightly) improved SBI code for game developers. SBI codes are the reporting methodology Statistics Netherlands (CBS) uses to identify distinct economic categories. Right now, game development is scattered across codes with vaguely relevant titles as ‘software development’, ‘board games’, or any other code that a studio found “close enough” to fill in on their Chamber of Commerce application. As is, the new proposal is a massive improvement, but still falls short of the more incisive standards that have been adopted in many nations around the world with game development-focused policies, but the conversation will continue. Either way it pans out, it seems like our industry (and the government) will have a bit more clarity on our direct economic impact – which can guide more focused and targeted support and policy.
- I’ve been forming new partnerships and strengthening existing collaborations with both public and private partners. While a lot is ‘in the oven’ right now, I cannot speak to any of them before they are locked in. The Dutch Games Association’s lobby remains a very resource-constrained effort, and I do not want to be announcing things we cannot make happen.
That was it for this time! There are a few projects I’m working on with the support of the incredible team at Dutch Games Association, many of which I hope can continue to position the Dutch Games Association as the central organisation for game development in the Netherlands.
The government relations efforts are just a small part of our work as an organisation: our mission is to help the Dutch games industry reach its full potential. As we look back on one of the busiest months on the Dutch Games Association calendar, I cannot stress enough how much the team has stretched to fill the gaps the loss of the Dutch Game Garden created in our industry. Things like INDIGO, the Network Lunch, the Games Monitor… our events, mentorship programs, trade missions, community, and support efforts, I believe the DGA has a critical impact on our industry cohesion and its potential.
Ultimately, we can only achieve these goals and protect these pillars of the industry with your support. We are a member organization: your participation directly impacts what the Dutch Games Association can do for you. So as always – if you have a moment, whether you’re at a larger studio, a small indie team, or you’re a student or an individual – check whether you or your team can become a member of the Dutch Games Association, or if you are, whether you are able to support us in other ways. It helps us help you.
For now, if you have any questions, find me at rami@dutchgamesassociation.com or on the Dutch Games Industry Slack channel.
Until next time,
Rami