Founded in 2018, Playtopia has quickly become Africa’s premier destination for Indie Games and immersive Arts, marking its presence as an annual celebration of creativity and innovation. The recently concluded Playtopia Festival 2023, held at the Homecoming Centre in Cape Town from December 7th to 9th, was a vibrant convergence of South African and global creators and players.
The Essence of Playtopia: A Festival for Creators
Playtopia stands as a unique platform that not only showcases the talent within Africa but also serves as a hub for international collaboration. The festival embraces a diverse range of disciplines, bringing together individuals who share a passion for game development, immersive arts, and creative expression.
The festival featured a compelling mixture of games, game art exhibitions, and insightful talks, creating an atmosphere where ideas flowed freely and connections were made across continents.
Volunteering at Playtopia: Team Members Shine as Volunteers
This year, Playtopia saw the active participation of dedicated team members from Maliyo Games including Oluwatosin Olayinka ( People Operations Lead), David Sibato ( Game Developer), and Dorothy Orina (Project Manager), who took on the role of volunteers. Their contribution added to the festival’s success, ensuring smooth operations and a positive experience for all attendees.
One standout moment was Dorothy Orina’s participation in the hyper talk, delving into the intriguing theme “But who is the Audience.” Her talk on #Game Design Thinking was not only an honour but also a valuable addition to the festival’s lineup of engaging discussions.
Dorothy Orina’s Reflections: A Dynamic and Fun Experience
Dorothy Orina shared her excitement about the Playtopia Festival 2023 experience. She said, “Honored to have given a talk on #But who is the audience at Playtopia Festival 2023 in Cape Town. It was an incredible experience to be part of this dynamic and mostly SUPER FUN event that brought together art exhibitions, arcades, and conferences.”
She expressed gratitude to the impressive array of international speakers who fueled their passion for creating and developing. The convergence of creativity and technology at Playtopia left an inspiring mark, fostering innovation, collaboration, and sheer gaming joy.
Looking Forward: Enthusiasm for the Future of Game Development in Africa
The Playtopia Festival 2023 left attendees with a sense of anticipation for the future of game development in Africa. The organisers were lauded for creating a platform that not only celebrates the current achievements in the field but also ignites the spark for future innovations.
As Dorothy Orina expressed, “Can’t wait to carry this enthusiasm forward and see what the future holds for the game development community in Africa! #Playtopia2023“
In conclusion, Playtopia Festival 2023 in Cape Town was a resounding success, reinforcing its position as a crucial event in the global gaming and immersive arts calendar. The vibrant mix of creativity, technology, and collaboration sets the stage for an exciting future for the African gaming community.
