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The SXSW Sydney Games Festival kicks off with a vibrant Opening Night Party on Wednesday, 16 October, at the iconic Abercrombie. Connect with developers, creators, and industry professionals while enjoying musical performances and diverse spaces for meaningful interactions. The evening sets the stage for a dynamic festival, offering opportunities to forge valuable connections in a lively and memorable setting.On Thursday, immerse yourself in the Midnighters program, featuring a curated selection of screenings, hands-on games, and commentary sessions that delve into dark, provocative, and unconventional media. The festival concludes with the SXSW Sydney Games Awards on Saturday, 19 October, at Fortress Sydney, where exceptional games and creators are celebrated across various categories. Join us for a night of recognition and celebration, honouring the best in game design and creativity.
Kick off the Games Festival at our unforgettable Opening Night Party. Join us at Sydney’s iconic Abercrombie, where you’ll find cosy nooks for deep conversations, a lively dancefloor, and a vibrant beer garden. This event is more than just a celebration; it’s a prime opportunity to forge meaningful connections with fellow developers, studios, and industry experts. Enjoy musical performances that set the tone for the festival and immerse yourself in an atmosphere brimming with creativity and excitement. Whether you’re networking or relaxing, the Opening Night Party offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Below is a preview of what’s in store.
The Midnighters program dives into the dark, eerie, and unconventional, celebrating the strange and the provocative. This Thursday night showcase features a curated selection of screenings, hands-on games, and commentary sessions that challenge mainstream norms and push creative boundaries. With a focus on bold, unconventional media, the Midnighters Screen Showcase is a must-attend for those who thrive on the unexpected. Expect to be surprised by unique performances and games that defy expectations, delivering an unforgettable evening of innovative storytelling and creative exploration.
Below is a preview of what’s in store.
INDIKA follows a young nun on a journey of self-discovery, accompanied by an unexpected companion: the devil himself. Studio Head Dmitry Svetlow invites you to explore an alternate 19th-century Russia through this visually stunning and narratively rich adventure. Discover why INDIKA stands out as one of the year’s most memorable games.
Welcome to the farm, where the sun is hot, the grass is green, and the horses are waiting for you. But as the sun sets, and shadows creep across the land, the tranquility fades, and the farm's facade begins to crumble. Join solo game developer Andrea Lucco Borlera and Pietro Righi Riva from Italy-based studio Santa Ragione as he traverses one of the most exciting and bizarre games of the year HORSES.
Artgame collective Serenade presents a series of microtalks from four emerging gamemakers about their work and what they're excited to do next. Hear from Jojo Zhou, lead narrative on megahit Cult Of The Lamb on the intersection of games and theatre, Cuauh Moreno, creator of Amberial Dreams on the poetics of space and Kurt Tikoft, creator of Your Holy & Virtuous Heretic on where the playful and the occult meet. Find out where they see the next opportunities for experimenting with what games can be and evolving our still maturing medium.
The SXSW Sydney Games Awards honour standout indie games from the festival’s showcase, recognising excellence in mechanical design, gameplay, narrative, and creative direction.
For 2024, the celebration merges Games and Screen industries, welcoming Platinum, Games, and Screen Badges to unite creators across fields. Network with industry peers and forge meaningful connections while enjoying live performances. Join us at Fortress Sydney on Saturday, 19 October at 7pm for an evening dedicated to celebrating innovation and creativity in gaming.
Below is a preview of what’s in store.
This award highlights an exceptional game created by a team outside Australia and New Zealand. It celebrates standout achievements from international developers. Discover the global talent pushing boundaries in game design.
This award celebrates a student game featured in the Student Showcase, recognising the creativity, innovation, and dedication of emerging developers.
The People’s Choice Award honours the game that captivated the audience's hearts and minds, as voted by SXSW Sydney attendees.
This award celebrates a predominantly non-digital game, such as card games, board games, and roleplaying games, that excels in thoughtful design and offers a compelling solo or social experience.
The Discovery Award honours the standout title from early career developers or new studios featured in the SXSW Sydney Games Showcase.
The SXSW Sydney Game of the Year celebrates the top game for its outstanding artistry and design. It honours a title that blends technical skill with creative brilliance into a remarkable experience.
Stay tuned for more updates and details. Nominees will be announced shortly.
Stay tuned for more updates and details. Nominees will be announced shortly.
Stay tuned for more updates and details. Nominees will be announced shortly.
Stay tuned for more updates and details. Nominees will be announced shortly.
Stay tuned for more updates and details. Nominees will be announced shortly.
Check out the past winners of the SXSW Sydney Game Awards. Discover the standout games that have been honoured in previous years.
This award recognizes exceptional games that have joined us from beyond Australia and New Zealand.
The Best Student Award celebrates the creativity, innovation, and dedication of the next generation of developers.
The People’s Choice Award is a testament to the game that captured your hearts and minds, as voted by attendees at SXSW Sydney.
This award honours traditional games that create memorable moments of laughter, strategy, and storytelling around the tabletop.
The Discovery Award goes to the best title from early career developers and newer studios within the SXSW Sydney Games Showcase.
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Chosen by industry judges from within the showcase, this award highlights the game that stands out for its exceptional artistry and design.
This award honors bold, visionary films that excel in areas of creativity and storytelling over the feature-length format.
This award recognizes forward-thinking short films that deliver compelling and impactful narrative within a brief runtime.
This award celebrates new episodic productions with outstanding storytelling and engaging craft.
This award acknowledges music videos that creatively merge music with unique visual artistry.
This award is given to the XR project that excels in immersive and interactive experiences.
This award recognizes bold, genre-defying, inventive cinema from emerging filmmakers across Australia and New Zealand.
This award acknowledges and honors the favourite film of the SXSW Sydney 2024 audience.
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Stay tuned for more updates and details. Nominees will be announced shortly.
Stay tuned for more updates and details. Nominees will be announced shortly.
Stay tuned for more updates and details. Nominees will be announced shortly.
Stay tuned for more updates and details. Nominees will be announced shortly.
Stay tuned for more updates and details. Nominees will be announced shortly.
Check out the past winners of the SXSW Sydney Game Awards. Discover the standout games that have been honoured in previous years.
This award honors bold, visionary films that excel in areas of creativity and storytelling over the feature-length format.
This award recognizes forward-thinking short films that deliver compelling and impactful narrative within a brief runtime.
Commentary Sessions offer a unique chance to engage directly with creators and hear about their creative journeys. Discover behind-the-scenes stories, inspirations, and challenges from the minds behind today’s most captivating games. These intimate gatherings are perfect for both seasoned developers and passionate enthusiasts, providing valuable insights into the world of game development. Join the conversation and deepen your understanding of the creative process behind your favourite games.
Below is a preview of what’s in store.
Join indie developer Rhea, as she takes you through her heartfelt coming of age game "Fishbowl". Delve into the life of Alo - a 21 year old - on a unique journey of self discovery after the death of her grandmother.
In this short talk, Matthew (Toot Games) will take you through the development iterations of the arm in their upcoming title, My Arms Are Longer Now (in which the arm is very important). The talk will dive into how the arm and its movement were transformed from its janky game jam form to a polished and satisfying feature.
Join acclaimed actor and game director Abubakar Salim as he delves into Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, inspired by Bantu tales. ZAU follows a young shaman facing three mighty beasts to save his father. Abubakar, known for roles in Assassin's Creed: Origins and House of the Dragon, now leads Surgent Studios.
Discover the top student games from ANZ at the 2024 SXSW Sydney Games Festival. The Student Showcase is back, spotlighting the next generation of game creators with hands-on experiences and networking opportunities with industry leaders.
Showcase your team's work, connect with potential mentors, and dive into panel discussions and interactive Q&As. Accepted students will receive credentials to access valuable insights and one-on-one meetings with investors and publishers.
For more details on student opportunities, click the link below.
Join the future leaders of the Australian Games Industry in their showcase during SXSW Sydney. Featuring the best game across a range of Australian Universities the All games within the Student Game Showcase are eligible for the SXSW Sydney Best Student Game Award.
Join us for the SXSW Sydney Queer Games Showcase, an event that champions creativity and diversity in the gaming world. Experience a curated selection of innovative, eccentric, and inspiring games created by talented queer developers who are pushing the boundaries of the medium. This showcase not only highlights their remarkable work but also fosters an inclusive and welcoming environment where artistry and community thrive. Immerse yourself in a celebration of unique perspectives and support these artists as they transform the gaming landscape with their distinctive voices and visions.
Below is a preview of what’s in store.
Pieced Together is a cozy scrapbooking puzzle game that tells a heartwarming story about friendship, getting older and letting go.
Everything you knew was burned down in flames, you set out for revenge and redemption, to relieve the curse, reverse what happened, and escape Sulfur.
Art School Detective is a Mystery Adventure featuring a cast of loveable weirdos! Befriend and investigate 7 potential suspects. Use psychic powers to astral project into their artwork and learn their secrets. Unmask the mysterious ART KILLER that’s terrorising your campus!
Dust off your hat, polish those spurs, and don your favourite chaps—it’s time to saddle up for the Cowboy Games Showcase. Immerse yourself in an evening dedicated to western-themed games, where dressing up is encouraged for full immersion. Leave behind clichés like “Rootin’-tootin’” and “There’s a snake in my boot” as we explore innovative takes on classic western aesthetics. Join us for a unique experience celebrating the rugged charm of the frontier with a fresh twist.
Below is a preview of what’s in store.
Saddle up for Ricochet Rodeo, a 2D-platform, pvp brawl to see who's the fastest shooter in the pixel-rendered west. Assemble a posse of up to 8 cowboys to dance in chaotic deathmatches where bullets bounce and 1 hit kills.
Rose, a former outlaw, travels through the spirit realm of the Underwest. Take up the once-forgotten skills of the gunslinger in this Action-Platformer adventure, and journey along the breathtaking landscapes on a quest to rescue your daughter’s spirit.
Step into Arco, a stunning tactical action game where your choices shape the story. Guide four heroes through forests, plains, and deserts in their fight against the Red Company. Battle diverse foes, fend off colonizers, and confront monsters as you journey across this enchanted world.
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