Str8JaktJimOver the weekend Perth Games Festival raised the bar for gaming events. Showcasing several local developers, the festival let visitors experience a number of video games in various stages of development.
About Perth Games Festival
Moving from its long-time home in the Perth Town Hall, Perth Games Festival expanded into The Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle. This gave more space for indie developers, tabletop developers and students from SAE and Murdoch University to get their games seen by more people.
Perth Games Festival is a joint production between gaming not-for-profit Let’s Make Games and developer conference WA Games Week. Coming at the end of WA Games Week, the Festival is an opportunity for developers to show off their games and get feedback from the public.
From cute puzzle game Nekograms and endearing 3D platform Misc. A Tiny Tale, to the chilling Ghost Cam and frantic couch multiplayer Ricochet Rodeo, there was a game to suit anyone’s tastes.
Tabletop fans could also try out the latest creations from several local creators.
Not Just Games
A highlight for me was a game from students at SAE. Escapism by CodyAquilinaVeitch is a 2D psychological horror game about a teenage girl struggling with ADHD, anxiety and depression who plays video games to escape from the problems in her real life. We’ve all been lost in video games at times but the way this game blurs the lines between real life and the game struck me, particularly with its repetition as the wall between real life and the video game slowly started to break down.
Local gaming events company Spacejump were running a Rocket League and Mario Kart station. Attendees were also able to witness the Supersonic Cup Spring Minor Grand Final between Team Gaming Esports Club and I Got To Meet Fiberr BROOOOOOO. Congratulations to I Got To Meet Fiberr BROOOOOOO on taking the win!
Perth Games Festival was a wonderful event with lots of things to do and see. If you saw a game you liked, don’t forget to wishlist it!
Chris Inglis