Gaming isn’t all about pixels and controllers; it’s about the people who breathe life into virtual realms. Conventions, award ceremonies, and other industry events can play vital roles in uniting, inspiring, and celebrating developers. A vibrant ecosystem of innovation, creativity, and community spirit exists in the ever-evolving world of gaming.
Colossal conventions like PAX Australia and Games Connect Asia Pacific (GCAP) gather gaming enthusiasts from around Australia to celebrate their shared passion. From insightful panels and workshops to engaging demos and the chance to meet those you’ve only known online, these events provide a sense of belonging and connection within the gaming community. They are spaces in which ideas are shared, and friendships are forged. These events also remind us that we’re part of something much larger than ourselves. They provide a sense of belonging and a reminder that we’re united by a common love for the gaming art form.
Conventions and award ceremonies provide unique opportunities to explore new horizons, challenge perspectives, acknowledge innovation, and fuel pre-existing passions for game development. Thanks to the generous support of Screenwest and the awesomeness of IGEA, some of our Defy Reality Entertainment team were able to attend the 2023 iterations of these GCAP, PAX, and the Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs) in Melbourne last month (shout out to WA’s Caitlin Lomax of Intr Studios who received the Empower Award!).
Zaedyn – the youngest member of the Defy Reality team – was particularly appreciative of the chance to play a wide range of demos at PAX. He loved playing everything from Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Tears of the Kingdom, to a diverse range of Indie games, including (but definitely not limited to!) Wombat Brawler’s Crash Course Builder; Turtle Flip Studio’s Which Way Up; and Devolver Digital’s Karma Zoo.
Zaedyn’s absolute highlight was meeting the Massive Monster legends, whose creativity genuinely knows no bounds. On a very-related note, hearing the Cult of the Lamb soundtrack performed by an orchestra, accompanied by the soundtrack’s composer, River Boy (Narayana Johnson) at ACMI for MIGW was such a surreal experience! Moments like these are testament to the extraordinary artistry that emerges from the gaming world, proving that games are not merely played; they are felt, heard, and celebrated.
Massive events like PAX, GCAP, MIGW, and the AGDAs are intensely invaluable, but we can’t forget the heartbeat of our local gaming community. Western Australia has a comparatively small but undeniably vibrant scene, hosting impressive events like WA Games Week, Perth Games Festival, and Immerse Connect. These gatherings offer more than just social interaction; they provide a space for local talent to shine, connect, and grow. They provide opportunities for Perthians (or W.A-liens?) to chat with fellow creators, test innovative demos, and celebrate the diverse talent pool within our community.
This year, we at Defy Reality Entertainment have been fortunate enough to attend a multitude of exciting events spread across WA Games Week, Perth Games Festival, Immerse Connect, and XR:WA.
Throughout WA Games Week, we were able to learn from so many talented and hard-working humans. Thanks to The Talks (which were beautifully organised and emceed by Caitlin Lomax) we explored Unreal Engine with Epic Games’ Chris Murphy; learned about indie dev life with Tinyware Games’ Michael Pearce; and investigated grants funding with Mark Smith from Screenwest, and so much more. Other inspiring speakers and panelists included Lee Naimo, Amy Doherty, Jane Kennington, Michal Nepora, and Ivan Ertlov, and many others!
The Mandurah Coder Dojo Ninjas – accompanied by the lovely Michelle Wong – had an absolute ball playing demos and speaking to developers at Perth Games Festival! Some of the favourite games of the day were Arch Rebel’s Ghost Cam; Winterwire’s Power Sink; Echidna Studios’ Ricochet Rodeo; Studio Kraze’s Courier Tale; Tinyware Games’ Misc. A Tiny Tale; Funny Fintan Softworks’ Incolatus; Level126games’ Tether; Vivski Entertainment’s Fiasco at the Agency; and (of course!) Defy Reality Entertainment’s Neyyah… shameless self-plug alert!
We were incredibly excited to finally share Neyyah’s demo with the world at Perth Games Festival! This was an invaluable experience, on so many levels. There is no way to adequately express our gratitude to the organisers for their vision, efforts, energy, and dedication. We can’t speak highly enough of the WA game dev community, who are consistently supportive, inclusive, and proactive!
In the gaming industry, conventions, awards, and local events are not just events; they’re moments of inspiration, connection, and celebration. They remind us that the gaming world is not just about the games we create; it’s about the people who make it all possible. As we continue our journey through this ever-evolving landscape, let us acknowledge and embrace the community that stands as the beating heart of the gaming industry. These events are testament to the power of human creativity.
Defy Reality Entertainment 