The global games industry moves from strength to strength as every year more people play, buy, and make games. From breakout international indie success stories, to the steady return of AAA development, to the quest for government and public recognition, the Australian games industry in 2023 is no exception.

Despite being a fraction of the size of games industries in other countries and working an often inhospitable ecosystem, the Australian games development scene is resilient, vibrant, and thriving. It represents an industry that weathered worst-case scenarios and still earned its place on the global stage. It’s a case study in the importance of fostering and celebrating creative communities.

In this session, SXSW Sydney Head of Games Luke Lancaster will discuss the unique landscape of the Australian games industry and provide an insiders' perspective on tapping into that spirit to shape the Games Festival for the inaugural SXSW Sydney in October 2023.