LEVELLING UP SUNSHINE COAST GAMES DEVELOPERS
MARCH – MAY 2025
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.
Proudly presented by Screen Queensland, Jobs Queensland and Essential Screen Skills.
COMMUNITY DAY
Date and time: 8th March 2025, 10am – 4pm
Location: 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 game showcases.
- 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 & drinks available for purchase throughout the day.
Click to view SCHEDULE
10am – Doors Open
10.30am – Welcome to Country and opening speeches
11am-1pm – Games Showcases
1pm – Keynote speech
2pm – Entertainment
3pm – Esports Competition Final Battle
4pm – Event Ends
WORKSHOP: GAMES DESIGN
Date and time: Thursday 13th March, 2pm – 6pm
Venue: Venue 114, 14 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina (parking available on site)
Cost: Free to attend and afternoon tea provided. Limited spots. Registrations open soon.
Dive into the world of game design with our interactive workshop, exploring game genres, interactive design, and translating your game from pen and paper into digital concepts.
WORKSHOP: PROGRAMMING
Date and time: Thursday 20th March, 2pm – 6pm
Venue: Venue 114, 14 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina (parking available on site)
Cost: Free to attend and afternoon tea provided. Limited spots. Registrations open soon.
Learn essential coding techniques and improve your programming abilities.
GAME JAM
Date and time: Friday 28th – Sunday 30th March 2025 (10am Friday arrival, 4pm Sunday end)
Location: Alexandra Park Conference Centre
Cost: $20 registration fee per person
Sleep, eat, code, repeat. In our intensive three-day Game Jam, you’re invited to fully immerse yourself in game development and unleash your creativity. Work in a team or independently alongside fellow developers to rapidly build a game from scratch.
Registration fee includes a Season of the Dev t-shirt, as well as all catering and accommodation for the duration of the Game Jam.
Places are limited and registration closes 21st March 2025. Registrations open soon.
WORKSHOP: ART
Date and time: Thursday 10th April, 2pm – 6pm
Venue: Venue 114, 14 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina (parking available on site)
Cost: Free to attend and afternoon tea provided. Limited spots. Registrations open soon.
WORKSHOP: MENTAL HEALTH
Date and time: Thursday 17th April, 2pm – 6pm
Venue: Venue 114, 14 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina (parking available on site)
Cost: Free to attend and afternoon tea provided. Limited spots. Registrations open soon.
Games development can be a demanding career. This workshop will explore the importance of mental health and wellbeing and how to incorporate good practice into your projects.
NETWORKING EVENT: HOW TO START & Build a SUSTAINABLE Game Dev Career
Date and time: Thursday 24th April, 4pm – 8pm
Venue: Your Mates Brewing, 41 Technology Drive, Warana
Cost: 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.
Registrations open soon.
WORKSHOP: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Date and time: Thursday 1st May, 2pm – 6pm
Venue: Venue 114, 14 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina (parking available on site)
Cost: Free to attend and afternoon tea provided. Limited spots. Registrations open soon.
Gain skills and practical templates for how to budget, schedule, pitch and close publishing and distribution for your indie games.
END of FEST CELEBRATION
Date and time: Friday 9th May, 1pm – 8pm
Venue: Aussie World, 73 Frizzo Rd, Palmview
Cost: $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.
Registrations open soon.
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 Sunshine Coast Season of the Dev is funded by Jobs Queensland and powered by the Queensland Government’s Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032, delivered in partnership with Essential Screen Skills.
