The year’s festival highlights include; former President of Worldwide Studios at Sony Interactive Entertainment Shuhei Yoshida (JP), Shared Memory Games Founder and the creator of the widely acclaimed game Animal Well, Billy Basso (US), and US-based Australian content creator and games thought leader Alanah Pearce (US).

ALT: GAMES PROGRAM

ALT: Play is an all-ages games expo featuring 35 in-development and newly released video and tabletop games from independent Australian and New Zealand game makers. Presented works have been selected as part of a call-out inviting game developers to show work that showcases unique stories, design and practice. Highlights include Management in Space, a sci-fi space strategy game that the team at Silver Stitch pitched during last year’s ALT: GAMES festival.

ALT: Ex is a showcase of experimental games developed by Western Sydney emerging writers, filmmakers and creatives. Presented in collaboration with Parramatta’s Arts & Cultural Exchange (ACE) as part of their Beyond the Script program. The games will be developed across three weekends prior to the festival, where emerging creatives will gather for ‘game jam’ sessions to create the code, art and sound for their games with limited time.

ALT: Sessions connects game enthusiasts and emerging developers with industry leaders through a series of talks and workshops. Presenters will provide career guidance and share industry knowledge from game making and adjacent practices. Highlights include a crash course in building worlds through music soundtracks with composers Patrik Jarlestam and Carla Dobbie, insights into what makes an indie game successful from renowned Tokyo-based software developer Shuhei Yoshida and a session on getting in, staying in and making a career with award-winning global studio Riot Games.

ALT: Features will connect game makers with international leaders through a series of talks. Games veteran Shuhei Yoshida will share his experiences overseeing the development of many global, best-selling franchises such as God of War®, Gran Turismo® and The Last of Us®. Alanah Pearce will delve into her journey building a multifaceted career in the industry; and in an Australian first, Billy Basso presents a talk on the making of critically acclaimed game, Animal Well.

ALT: GAMES is a Powerhouse initiative developed in collaboration with event partner City of Parramatta and supported by Screen Australia, Screen NSW and SAE University College.

Software Developer and former President of Sony Shuhei Yoshida said, ‘As a huge fan of independent games, I can’t wait to travel to Sydney to discover and experience games from some of Australia and New Zealand’s most exciting new game makers. I’m looking forward to meeting the community and hope to help independent Australian gamers turn their ideas into innovative interactive experiences.’

City of Parramatta Council Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said, ‘As the epicentre of culture and creativity, City of Parramatta is proud to partner with Powerhouse to deliver ALT: GAMES at PHIVE and Parramatta Town Hall. This festival is set to highlight Australian independent games and our innovative gaming industry, so I welcome everyone to come and game on in our vibrant City.’

Screen NSW Acting Executive Director Karla Lampe said, ‘Screen NSW is thrilled to support Powerhouse bring ALT: GAMES to Western Sydney for a second year. The festival showcases the depth of local talent in NSW, as well as providing a platform for community and industry to come together to network, collaborate and celebrate the power of games.’

Screen Australia Head of Games Joey Eggar said, ‘We are proud to continue our support for ALT: GAMES in Sydney. The event creates an exciting, inclusive space that brings Australian game makers together with peers, cross disciplinary creatives, and the public. ALT: GAMES further reinforces the value of games as culturally and artistically relevant works, bringing these remarkable Australian stories to a wider audience.’

Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said, ‘Powerhouse is proud to be delivering with our partners what is fast becoming the most important games festival in Australia. It is thrilling to see ideas pitched at last year’s festival return as playable prototypes — and to imagine that one of these demos may one day become a game loved around the world.’

ALT: GAMES will be presented at PHIVE and Parramatta Town Hall on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April 2026. To register or book tickets visit ALT: GAMES 2026.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

ALT: GAMES
DATE: 18–19 April 2026
LOCATION: PHIVE and Parramatta Town Hall
Returning in 2026, ALT: GAMES brings together the Australian games community and industry. Featuring games showcases, sessions and talks with industry leaders. This annual two-day celebration of games is presented by Powerhouse and supported by City of Parramatta, Screen Australia, Screen NSW and SAE University College.

ALT: PLAY
DATE: 18–19 April, 10am–3pm
TICKETS: Free, registrations required
LOCATION: Parramatta Town Hall
ALT: Play is a showcase of independent game makers across Australia and New Zealand. Discover and playtest 35 new and in-development video and tabletop games hosted by their makers. All ages welcome.

ALT: EX
DATE: 18–19 April 2026, 10am–3pm
TICKETS: Free, registrations required
LOCATION: Parramatta Town Hall
ALT: Ex is a showcase of experimental games developed by Western Sydney emerging creatives. Play selected works from ACE’s program Beyond the Script co-curated with NSW games collective Serenade and Made in the West Creative. Presented in collaboration with Arts & Cultural Exchange (ACE) Parramatta.

ALT: SESSIONS
DATE: 18–19 April 2026, 10am–3.30pm
TICKETS: $10
LOCATION: PHIVE, Parramatta
ALT: Sessions is a series of talks and workshops for game enthusiasts and emerging developers to gain industry knowledge from leaders in the games industry. Each workshop engages audiences in game making and adjacent practices.

ALT: FEATURES
ALT: Features connects Australian game makers with international leaders.

ALANAH PEARCE (US)
DATE: Saturday 18 April, 1pm
TICKETS: $20
LOCATION: Riverside Live at PHIVE, Parramatta
Join Alanah Pearce, a renowned US-based Australian writer, producer, actor, content creator and games thought leader, as she delves into her extensive and multifaceted career working with critically acclaimed games and studios. Recommended for ages 16+

SHUHEI YOSHIDA (JP)
DATE: Saturday 18 April, 5.30pm
TICKETS: $20
LOCATION: Riverside Live at PHIVE, Parramatta
Tokyo-based games industry legend Shuhei Yoshida will discuss his career at PlayStation with games thought leader and media personality Alanah Pearce. Yoshida will share his experiences working on groundbreaking games at Sony and insights on how to get a game published. Recommended for ages 16+

BILLY BASSO (US)
DATE: Sunday 19 April, 1pm
TICKETS: $20
LOCATION: Riverside Live at PHIVE, Parramatta
For the first time in Australia, join US-based solo developer Billy Basso, founder of Shared Memory Games, as he looks back at the making of the critically and commercially acclaimed Animal Well. Recommended for ages 16+