Young gamers and curious creators have something big to look forward to this December: PLAYTOPIA, Africa’s biggest Indie Games and Immersive Arts Festival, is coming back — and this year’s event is set to be one of its most imaginative yet.

More than 1,000 festival-goers are expected to attend, and they will step into a specially built fantasy-themed space called Arcadia. Designed by Natasha Davidson, known for her work on large-scale creative festivals, Arcadia will look like a magical old library filled with portholes, spell books, potions, and glowing crystals. It’s meant to spark imagination and make visitors feel like they have stepped into a story.

One of the major highlights for young players is the première of Shroom and Gloom, a new game created by South African studio TeamLazerBeam in partnership with international publisher Devolver Digital. The festival is even building a full “shroom tunnel” and cave inspired by the game for visitors to explore.

The popular Super Friendship Arcade is returning as well, offering unusual, hands-on gaming experiences where players use custom-made controllers instead of the usual ones found at home. It’s a chance to play games in a way that feels new and interactive.

Kids who are curious about how games are made can also hear from a line-up of international speakers, including artists, actors, and game designers from countries such as the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, and the United States. They will share stories, ideas, and advice for anyone interested in games or digital art.

PLAYTOPIA will again host its Indie Planet Exhibition, showcasing some of the best indie games from Japan, Germany, Australia, and Barcelona. This gives young South African players a rare chance to try games from around the world all in one place.

This year also marks a new step for the festival. A group of local artists known as The Art Massive will be creating the event’s interactive art installations. They have been meeting and collaborating throughout the year to design pieces that encourage creativity and exploration.

Behind the scenes, the PLAYTOPIA Foundation continues its work supporting young and emerging creators with workshops, mentorships, and grants. It helps make game development and digital art more accessible to people who may not otherwise have the opportunity.

PLAYTOPIA will end with an official after-party at Tommy’s Chop Shop hosted by Discotekah. Tickets for the festival and after-party are available on Airdosh.co.za and through the festival website.

tracy-lynnruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus 

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