A new Powerhouse initiative that celebrates First Nations creativity and storytelling through videogames has been announced in collaboration with First Nations operated, social enterprise Awesome Black.
The unique collaboration seeks to grow and foster the Australian games industry through a two-year project that encompasses creative learning programs and events, industry growth and skill development.
Founded by Travis DeVries in 2020, Awesome Black is a Sydney-based organisation that generates opportunities for First Nations creative practitioners to successfully work in the arts, digital and other creative industries, while also developing games, podcasts and digital content.
“Awesome Black is absolutely blown away to have our work in the video game development space recognised in this way,” said Awesome Black Founder, Travis DeVries. “This opportunity builds the foundation for cementing our creative output as works of cultural significance, both now and in the future.”
“Such achievements are only possible through collaboration and industry support. Having Powerhouse join us as a partner on this project is an honour we did not foresee when we started.”
“We were so glad to be able to be a part of this initiative, with the Powerhouse team recognising video gaming and First Nations culture in the spaces that it deserves to be recognised,” said DeVries.
This initiative will see Awesome Black collaborating with Powerhouse and TAFE NSW to develop and deliver a free school holidays Creative Studio Workshop focused on specific aspects of game creation.
The workshop delivered to high school students and emerging game makers in 2024 will later become part of the Lang Walker Family Academy program at Powerhouse Parramatta.
Powerhouse will support the learning and skill development of Awesome Black by providing connections to industry partners and mentoring opportunities. Support will also be provided for Awesome Black to attend relevant conferences, courses and workshops to successfully deliver their first videogame, Fear of a Blak Planet that explores re-Indigenising Australia.
Once released, Awesome Black and Powerhouse will deliver an industry-focused event that showcases Fear of a Blak Planet alongside a documentary that explores the making of their game and celebrates the First Nations creatives who supported its development.
“Powerhouse are thrilled to collaborate with Awesome Black and integrate videogames into our programming. This is an exciting opportunity to highlight the cultural significance of videogames and how, as a modern medium, they can deliver new and complex ideas in an accessible and interactive way,” said Powerhouse Chief Executive, Lisa Havilah.
“Supporting and championing the growing NSW games community to create unique stories and support knowledge sharing has been an important driving force for the work we are doing at Powerhouse” said Powerhouse Games Curator, Chloe Appleby.
“I am thrilled that this initiative with Awesome Black will not only create opportunities for mentorship within the team for the development of their game but empower young creatives in learning about game creation,” said Appleby.
Image: Fear of a Blak Planet (Concept Art) – courtesy of Awesome Black