Frosty Games Fest is ANZ’s own Summer Games Fest

Posted on October 1, 2024

Summer Games Fest who? There’s some “cool sh*t from ANZ” on the way. It’s always been a bit weird watching as the US harps on about Summer Games Fest every June, especially now that E3 is basically dead and buried. Set to launch during Summer Games Fest in June 2025, Frosty Games Fest is a brand-new curated online showcase aiming to spotlight talent from down under.

Supported by Screen Australia’s Games Event Fund, the Frosty Games Fest intends to spotlight local games by Australian and New Zealand-based developers. The events director, Amy Potter wishes to aid in showcasing local talent saying “We’re often under-represented on the global stage, and I think that’s criminal considering the outstanding quality of games that are produced in this part of the world!”.

Frosty Games Fest’s team features seasoned game professionals with a wealth of experience across game development and games media such as Lucy Mutimer, Pritika Sachdev, and Keiron Verbrugge. The crew will personally be curating the showcase that will also premiere at a reasonable time for viewers in Australia, New Zealand, and the west coast of the US.

The event aims to connect global players with exciting new and recently released games, highlighting the talent in the region. Thanks to Screen Australia’s Games Event Fund, the festival will shine a spotlight on the most talented offerings from Australia and New Zealand, giving them attention during one of the biggest weeks in the video game industry.

“Frosty Games Fest represents a much needed opportunity for talented Australian gamemakers to showcase their incredible work to the world. Greater visibility for the unique and amazing games being developed here is only a benefit to the wider Australian games community, and we’re proud to support Frosty Games Fest making that possible.” – Lee Naimo, Screen Australia Head of Online and Games

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The news of the game showcase comes off the back of an article in The Saturday Paper, with Jackson Ryan detailing the local development communities’ frustrations with IGEA. Despite unprecedented expansion in recent years, with games like Cult of the Lamb and Stray Gods achieving international success, many developers feel the disconnect is growing concerning.

“Senior developers and industry insiders complain of a lack of support and initiatives focused on small studios, freelancers and contractors, and worry that IGEA is not serving the interests of the wider development community, nor engaging with the challenges it faces.” – Jackson Ryan, Australian gaming advocates call for further industry support

The local industry needs to see the association target the industry’s current situation and aid in accessible initiatives for the community’s needs. It’s a timely plea given the studios that have been forced to shutter while the prices have kept rising. You can read the full article here.

It’s exciting to see a games showcase rising up in spite of it all but it’s clear that there is further work that can be done to help the games industry weather tough times. Seeing a showcase rise up is an excellent sign of the industry’s determination to survive. Frosty Games Fest is certainly one to keep in your sights for 2025.

You can stay updated on Frosty Games Fest via Twitter/X, Instagram, or the official website.