Taking cues from international alternative games festivals, Playtopia MGA marks South Africa’s debut homegrown celebration of games and interactive art.

Producing a series of surprise global hits, South Africa’s game makers (and their unique creations) have landed up on the international map, and Playtopia MGA stands to celebrate the country’s diverse game development and immersive arts community, to inspire the next generation of creators, gamers and enthusiasts.

Collecting the best of local art and games alongside international contemporaries, Playtopia MGA promises to be a one-of-a-kind African gaming and tech art celebration. This festival is truly the future of entertainment!

Playtopia and Make Games Africa (MGA) have joined forces to make one ecstatic 3-day event where attendees can revel in local and international indie games, eye-melting interactive and digital art and a killer music line-up! 

There will be two conferencing streams available to delegates this year, the MGA Business To Business Conference and the Playtopia Talks aimed at delegates interested in the creative side of game development.

Playtopia delegates are invited to attend talks, panels and workshops hosted by both international and local industry experts in the field of Indie Game development and the MGA talks are aimed at business development of gaming within the African context, tickets are very limited and booking is essential!

Gamers, developers and event-goers will have a plethora of games, music, food and experiential art to enjoy. Exhibitions by some of South Africa’s top interactive artists, 30+ alternative, art and party games, a Super Friendship Arcade room with games played on custom controllers, VR rooms and music entertainment.

NB – Please take note, MGA tickets and Playtopia Talks tickets will be priced differently, and whilst an MGA ticket gives you complete all-access, a Playtopia Talks ticket will not give you access to the MGA talks. 

This event is strictly 18+ in order to protect children from very adult-oriented games. 

What to Expect at Playtopia 2019

Playtopia Main Exhibition

The main Playtopia exhibition is a hand-picked collection of games, playful experiences and interactive narratives. The exhibition representing some of the most inventive, vibrant and moving games of recent years.

A selection of both South African, and international titles, the exhibition includes critically acclaimed indie releases, as well as under-recognized gems, celebrating the future of digital storytelling, and playful art.

Super Friendship Arcade “Punk Game Party” Exhibition

Super Friendship Arcade is an ever-growing collective of friends using games to hack The Planet. Creating pop-up arcades in unexpected spaces, SFA breaks down the typical “gamer” stereotype, celebrating games that are welcoming, easy to pick up, and most importantly, shared experiences that bring people together.  SFA’s message is that games are for everyone!

Not just for everyone to play; games are for everyone to make too! Through jams and workshop’s, the SFA gang share their passion and experience with newcomers, aiming to grow an ever more diverse and vibrant community of DIY game developers.

SFA’s “Punk Game Party” exhibition collects the best of the communities 5-year output. Expect irreverent party games, and joyful multiplayer experiences played with unique, hand-made controllers and digital toys.

Music

Music artists for the event include Thor Rixon, Tommy Gun, Markus Wormstorm, Julia Robert, Sassquatch and many more!

Amazing Speakers

Speakers at Playtopia include the likes of Mitu Khandaker (USA), Kamina Vincent (Australia), Johan Gjestland (Norway), Nicole He (USA), Evan Greenwood (Creative Director Free Lives, creators of Broforce), Robin Baumgarten (Germany), Ingrid Kopp (Electric South), Hanna Fogelberg (Sweden) and many more!

Installation Artists at Playtopia

Playtopia 2019’s installation artists to look out for include Inka Kendzia, Tulips & Chimneys (Eden Labs ‘The Lost Botanist’), Emma Jean Wrigley, Tim Smith, Noël Labridy and more!

Venue

Playtopia MGA will take place at The Castle of Good Hope. The venue is the oldest building in South Africa and is a maze of rooms and history. This collision of past and future adds energy and creativity to the Playtopia MGA setting.

Ticket Info

Playtopia Ticket Info

• Playtopia 3-day pass: R340
• Playtopia 1-day pass: R180

*This ticket grants you access to the games arcade, interactive art exhibits and entertainment areas of the event. No access to talks. 

• Playtopia Talks Delegate 3-day pass: R600
• Playtopia Talks Delegate 1-day pass: R250

*A Playtopia delegate ticket grants you access to all Playtopia talks, games arcade, interactive art exhibits and entertainment areas. No access to MGA talks. 

MGA Ticket Info

• MGA International Delegate all-access 3-Day pass: R5000
• MGA Local Delegate all-access 3-day pass: R3000
• MGA Student/Startup all-access delegate 3-day pass: R1250

*MGA ticket grants you all access to every aspect of the event. You have access to MGA talks, Playtopia talks, games arcade, interactive art exhibits and entertainment areas. 

For the full line-up on everything happening at Playtopia from installation artists to speakers and more, visit: https://www.playtopia.co.za.

Stay up to date with all things Playtopia via their website, Facebook and Instagram.

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