Malta to establish Council for Interactive Media to support game development and esports sectors

The Government intends to set up a Council for Interactive Media next year, which will be tasked with providing high-level advice and acting as a liaison between the private video game development and esports sectors and Government entities.

Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri made the announcement during the official opening of Playcon on Thursday. Held at the MFCC, Playcon is Malta’s video games and esports expo, and “proof that this industry is located in our country and is bearing fruit,” according to the Minister.

The new Council for Interactive Media will be led by Gaming Malta under the Ministry for the Economy.

Gaming Malta, a foundation established by the Government and the Malta Gaming Authority to promote Malta as a hub of gaming excellence, also plays a part in organising Playcon, which showcases local and foreign companies engaged in the broad gaming sector. The Government hopes that video game development, esports and augmented reality will contribute one per cent of Malta’s GDP by 2028.

Apart from the entertainment aspect at Playcon, there is no shortage of educational aspects that explain the various jobs this industry needs. Between Thursday and Friday, over 3,000 students from 20 different schools are expected to visit the event. Among the exhibitors are leading educational institutions which are displaying the courses they offer in these industries.

“In 2018, when together with Gaming Malta we launched the strategy on video games and esports, it was a dream. But today, four years later, our country has attracted big names in this sector, Dorado Games, Narc, Exient, Keyword Studios, ESL, among others. We already have about 25 companies and over 250 people working directly in the sector. Playcon, with the participation of industry and even educational institutions offering courses for further training in these fields, are a testament to where we are and where we want to continue moving,” said Minister Schembri.

On Saturday and Sunday, Playcon will be open to the public free of charge between 10.30am and 6.30pm.