PLAYTOPIA, Cape Town’s first indie games, interactive art and playful media festival, takes place from Friday at The Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town. Part of Africa Games Week, the festival will showcase local and international independent computer games, interactive and digital art, talks, panels, workshops and an awesome music line-up.
Taking cues from international alternative games festivals, PLAYTOPIA 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 stands to celebrate the country’s diverse game development community, and inspire the next generation of creators, gamers and enthusiasts. Collecting the best of local art and games alongside international contemporaries,Playtopia promises to be one of a kind African gaming celebration.
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 the international exhibition ‘Digital Gardens’ created by A MAZE./Berlin.
Play with Ralph Borland’s robots, engage with the sensory art of Miranda Moss, marvel at the projection art of global artist Inka Kendzia and walk through the yarn art of embroidery artist Danielle Clough, along with various other artists showcasing custom designed playful objects.
Delegates (limited tickets, R820) have additional access to exclusive talks by local and international game developers and experts, such as world renowned feminist Anita Sarkeesian, working in the industry, participation in workshops and access to a private Delegate and Speaker bar.
PLAYTOPIA will run this weekend, from Friday until Sunday, at The Castle of Good Hope. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.playtopia.co.za.