Pioneers in the Gaming Industry: Gonzalo Banki Martínez

The Game Changers series by GamesIndustry.biz shines a light on individuals and groups making a significant impact in the gaming industry, promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and mental health. Read more about these trailblazers here. Uruguay is home to a thriving gaming development scene, and Gonzalo Banki Martínez has been instrumental in its growth. After transitioning to a career in game development in 2016, Martínez began supporting his peers, driven by the need for a more organized and prominent gaming community in Uruguay. In 2017, he co-organized the Level UY Game Dev Summit, a pivotal event for Uruguayan game developers, aimed at connecting them with publishers and showcasing local talent. The summit is run by the Uruguayan Chamber of Video Game Developers (CAVI) and highlights the country's gaming industry to attract international interest and potential business partners. Martínez emphasizes that the country's small size poses significant challenges in finding publishers and securing funding for local developers. 'We're a small country, with a population of just three million, making it difficult to attract publishers and secure funding,' he explains. The language barrier and high travel costs to attend international events like the Game Developers Conference (GDC) also hinder Uruguayan developers. To address these challenges, Martínez and his colleagues have worked tirelessly to secure funding for travel and maintain a booth for Uruguayan game creators at global events. A notable achievement is the establishment of an Uruguayan booth at GDC, where 10 local studios showcase their projects and pitches to attract publishers. Martínez takes pride in this accomplishment, made possible through the support of Uruguay XXI. He notes, 'It's expensive for publishers to visit us when they can attend larger events in neighboring countries like Argentina, where they can meet more developers.' To overcome these obstacles, Martínez has implemented various initiatives, including a program offering workshops and mentorship to help local studios prepare their pitches and presentations. He also facilitates virtual meetings with global publishers, allowing Uruguayan developers to showcase their games without the need for international travel. Martínez's efforts have yielded positive results, with grants and funding becoming available to support Uruguayan game developers. The Uruguayan Ministry of Industry provides two grants: one for $30,000 to support the development of a game project and another for $6,500 to aid new developers. Martínez acknowledges that these amounts are modest but is committed to improving them. He also highlights the importance of the Latin America Video Games Federation, which awards 10 scholarships annually for Uruguayan developers to attend GDC. The demographics of Uruguayan game developers vary, ranging from students to seasoned professionals. Martínez emphasizes that there is no specific age to start a career in game development, citing his own experience of beginning in his 30s. He also notes that language barriers can be overcome with the help of intermediaries and translators. Looking ahead, Martínez aims to increase support and visibility for Uruguayan game developers, exploring opportunities for delegations to attend events like Gamescom. While resources are currently limited, he remains committed to helping developers complete their projects and driving growth in the local gaming industry.