Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley joined members of the digital games community at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) to launch the program for the Asia Pacific’s biggest games celebration - Melbourne International Games Week 2016.
Running from 29 October to 7 November, Games Week 2016 will include a range of events, conferences and activities for games industry insiders, game enthusiasts, educators and families.
Now in its second year, Games Week 2016 will include industry conferences Game Connect Asia Pacific and Unite Melbourne; an Education in Games Summit for teachers, and games expo PAX Australia, which will take over the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 4-6 November.
The week’s events will bring superstars of the games world to Melbourne, such as Corey May, one of the writers of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, and Larry Hryb, Xbox Live’s Emmy Award-winning Director of Programming.
In 2016 ACMI has come on board as a Games Week partner. ACMI will host Games: A Family Affair, a special day of free activities for children and their families; and Game Changer: ACMI VR Experiences, a day for all ages to experience, and test out, the latest virtual reality technologies.
Specially commissioned for Games Week 2016 are two live and augmented reality games by Pop Up Playground and digital artist Troy Innocent.
The Games will follow in the footsteps of the Pokémon Go phenomenon and invite players to connect with others and explore the city in a whole new light.
In 2015 more than 60,000 people took part in Games Week activities, illustrating the broad appeal of digital games – which is the world’s largest entertainment market.
Melbourne International Games Week is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $115m Creative State strategy. It aims to support Victoria’s games sector to connect with consumers and international peers while showcasing the possibilities of games and game technologies to the digital games industry, the community and businesses.
For full program details visit gamesweek.melbourne
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“Melbourne is the home of games in Australia with local studios, independent developers, composers, animators and performers playing a role in creating globally successful games.”
“Melbourne International Games Week celebrates our games strengths, brings the international games community to our city and provides opportunities for people of all ages to experience the latest in games.”
“The Labor Government is strengthening our creative sector and backing local talent. Games Week helps to deliver on this and is another reason why Victoria is the creative state.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020