Games Sunshine Coast May Meetup
When: 29th May 2025
Where: Duporth Tavern 52-62 Duporth Ave, Maroochydore QLD 4558
Hear from Speaker: Sebastiaan Fehr – Actuator Digital
- How Actuator Digital started and our entrepreneurial journey.
- Why we’ve diversified our projects and client base, including insights into overcoming related challenges.
- Winning strategies for securing projects and growing our business.
- Future directions in game development and serious games markets.
- Actuator Digital’s ambitions moving forward.
Games Sunshine Coast is a welcoming community of game developers based in and around the Sunshine Coast, proudly supported by the not-for-profit Sunshine Coast Screen Collective. Open to all experience levels, we offer a regular space to connect, share knowledge, and grow together.
Our meetups provide a safe and inclusive environment where members can share their passion for game development and game technology. Events provide opportunities for learning, sharing, networking, gaining insights from guest speakers and the chance to share what you’re working on, whether a rough idea or a work-in-progress; get feedback, encouragement and have some fun!
LEVELLING UP SUNSHINE COAST GAMES DEVELOPERS
MARCH – MAY 2025
Join us on Facebook & Discord
Game on, Sunshine Coast. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a budding games developer, Season of the Dev is here to connect and grow our local games scene. From March to May 2025, we’re bringing together our Sunshine Coast games development community for informative workshops, networking events, a community day and an exhilarating 3-day Game Jam.
All events are free or low cost, but have limited capacity. Register for your chosen Season of the Dev events today to secure your spot. Any questions, please email projects@essentialscreenskills.com.au.
As part of the program, we are offering five mid-career game developers the chance to undertake free Mental Health First Aid Training through our partners Hey Mate. Please complete our EOI by 7 April: https://forms.office.com/r/3ZVwRyUCQA
Proudly presented by Screen Queensland, Jobs Queensland and Essential Screen Skills.
COMMUNITY DAY
RESCHEDULED TO Saturday 15 March, 10am – 4pm
Innovation Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Dr, Sippy Downs (parking available in P1)
Free entry! No registration required. Bring your family and friends.
Kick off the Season of the Dev right with a vibrant community day at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Enjoy a jam-packed day of games-focused fun.
- Discover amazing games created by local developers in games showcases and demo stations
- Interactive workshops
- Esports competition and console play arena
- Hear from inspiring figures in the games industry
- Meet exhibitors, win lucky door prizes and get exclusive game access codes
- Food and drinks available for purchase throughout the day
Click to view SCHEDULE
10am – Doors open
10.30am – Welcome to Country and opening speeches
11am-12.30pm – Games studio showcases – Actuator Digital, Carrot Commotion, Broadside Games
12.30pm – Q&A Bootstrapping Your Indie Game from Concept to Kickstarter Success
1.30pm – Painting and Lighting Animation Session with Pixel Zoo
2.30pm – Entertainment – Screening of 8-bit Domination and chiptune performance from Tuberz McGee
3.30pm – Esports competition final battle
4pm – Event ends
WORKSHOP: GAMES DESIGN [SOLD OUT]
Thursday 13 March, 2pm – 6pm
Venue 114, 14 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina (parking available on site)
Free to attend and afternoon tea provided. Limited spots.
Dive into the world of digital games design with our interactive workshop, exploring fundamental game design concepts and how industry thinks about products.
WORKSHOP: PROGRAMMING [SOLD OUT]
Thursday 20 March, 2pm – 6pm
Venue 114, 14 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina (parking available on site)
Free to attend and afternoon tea provided. Limited spots.
Learn essential coding techniques and improve your programming abilities. Delivered by Benjamin Finlay of PlaySide Studios.
GAME JAM [REGISTRATIONS CLOSED]
Friday 28 – Sunday 30 March (Check in from 10am Friday, 4pm Sunday end)
Alexandra Park Conference Centre, 13 Mari St, Alexandra Headland
$20 registration fee per person, which includes a Season of the Dev t-shirt, all catering and accommodation for the duration of the Game Jam.
Sleep, eat, code, repeat. In our intensive three-day Game Jam, you’re invited to fully immerse yourself in digital games development and unleash your creativity. Work in a team or independently alongside fellow developers to rapidly build a game from scratch. You’ll be joined by industry mentors and a mental health first aid officer to help support you!
Accommodation will be shared quad or twin style bungalows with ensuites at Alexandra Park Conference Centre.
Wifi, powerpoints, chairs and tables will be available to work with. Participants will be required to bring their own computers/laptops, any specific consoles, or development equipment needed.
Registrations close 16 March and all applicants will be notified of participation by 17 March via email from Essential Screen Skills.
WORKSHOP: ART [SOLD OUT]
Thursday 10 April, 2pm – 6pm
Venue 114, 14 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina (parking available on site)
Free to attend and afternoon tea provided. Limited spots.
Delivered by world-class studio Gameloft, this workshop will cover essential skills for UI and 3D art.
Gameloft’s mission is to amaze the world so that everyone can enjoy a moment of happiness. They put all their art and craft into it and create multiplatform experiences that are a benchmark for the industry and downloaded by millions of players every day.
WORKSHOP: MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING FOR SUCCESS
Thursday 17 April, 1pm – 3pm
Venue 114, 14 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina (parking available on site)
Free to attend and afternoon tea provided. Limited spots.
Games development can be a demanding career. Delivered by Hey Mate, this workshop helps game developers manage industry pressures while maintaining their mental health and wellbeing.
Upon completion, participants will be able to recognise the importance of self-care and mindfulness in preventing burnout, develop resilience for navigating industry challenges, manage stress and fatigue effectively, build sustainable self-care habits, and promote mental health conversations in game studios.
NETWORKING EVENT: HOW TO START & BUILD A SUSTAINABLE GAME DEV CAREER
Thursday 24 April, 5pm – 9pm
Your Mates Brewing, 41 Technology Drive, Warana
Free, and includes light food. A great drinks selection will be available for purchase thanks to the team at Your Mates.
Connect with fellow developers while gaining valuable insights from a panel of industry experts who will give practical tips and tricks for establishing your profile and how to build a portfolio of work. A photographer will capture free professional headshots to help you make strong first impressions.
WORKSHOP: YOUR GAME IS A BUSINESS [SOLD OUT]
Thursday 8 May, 2pm – 6pm
Venue 114, 14 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina (parking available on site)
Free to attend and afternoon tea provided. Limited spots.
Gain skills and frameworks for how to budget, schedule, pitch and close publishing and distribution for your indie games.
With over 30 years of experience in the games industry, Jon Cartwright helps indie developers pitch, manage and publish their games. Step through the process of releasing a game, from the early stages of development through to final release.
END of FEST CELEBRATION
Friday 9 May, 1pm – 8pm
Aussie World, 73 Frizzo Rd, Palmview
$30 per ticket which includes access to Aussie World rides (1pm-4pm), and food and a drink on arrival at our networking celebration (4pm-8pm).
Join us to celebrate the Season of the Dev with our End of Fest celebration! Come in your best video game character cosplay (prizes will be awarded for best dressed), enjoy an afternoon of thrilling rides, and finish up with some food, drinks, and the announcement of our Game Jam winners.
A return bus from Brisbane city may be available. Please email projects@essentialscreenskills.com.au to enquire and reserve a spot.
Register for your chosen Season of the Dev events today to secure your spot.
Any questions, please email projects@essentialscreenskills.com.au.
Screen Queensland’s Season of the Dev is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government through Jobs Queensland and delivered in partnership with Essential Screen Skills.
