With local game developers gearing up for Melbourne International Games Week in October, a US based digital games start-up initiative has chosen Melbourne to host its 2017 program for the world’s most promising digital games developers.
Headquartered in Silicon Valley and with partners in Europe, Korea and China, each year Global Top Round brings together between 20 – 30 emerging games studios and games heavyweights from around the world for an intensive conference that focuses on turning good games ideas into thriving businesses.
Once the program concludes, up to 10 studios receive USD$50,000 each in seed funding to launch their games on the global market. Hosting the event in Melbourne will mean that at least one Victorian company will be among the exclusive participants.
Running from 22 – 29 October, Melbourne International Games Week will feature a range of conferences and business events that will bring local, national and international games talent to the city, an education in games summit for teachers and activities for games enthusiasts of all ages.
The program will kick off with a day of free family activities at ACMI, and includes the Game Connect Asia Pacific conference – which will bring over 1,000 games industry representatives to Melbourne; the annual Women in Games lunch, championing gender diversity in the industry; and major games expo and convention PAX Aus.
Also new to the Games Week program is Parallels: The Freeplay 2017 Showcase – a public event where local designers and artists will demo their games live on stage and discuss their work.
Melbourne International Games Week was established by the Victorian Government in 2015 and it has already grown to be the Asia Pacific’s biggest games celebration and industry event. Last year more than 60,000 people took part, ranging from industry insiders to fans.
“Melbourne International Games Week is a chance to immerse yourself in the world of games, learn about how games are changing the world and see how Victoria is leading the way,” said Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley.
“We created Games Week to showcase our games industry, businesses and talent and connect them with the world. It is wonderful to see how the world has taken notice. No matter what your connection to games is, get ready to power up for an action-packed program this year.”
Melbourne International Games Week 2017 will run from 22 – 29 October in venues across Melbourne. For more information, visit: www.gamesweek.melbourne for details.
Image: PAX Australia 2016 – courtesy of Creative Victoria