Tasmanian video game expo returns to PW1

Video game enthusiasts will descend on Princes Wharf 1 in April for the 2026 Level Up Tasmania Video Game Showcase.

The event will feature 26 video game developers, all of which are Tasmanian or have a connection with the state.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy, Madeleine Ogilvie, said the 2026 expo was shaping up as another drawcard event for video game fans, following Level Up Tasmania’s successful first instalment in 2024.

“The 2024 Level Up Tasmania Video Game Showcase had more than more than 1,500 people of all ages through the doors, and helped to raise the profile of our local developers,” Minister Ogilvie said.

“The Tasmanian Government is proud to support our video game developers, and this showcase forms part of our $500,000 investment into the sector.”

Attendees will have the chance to try more than 40 Tasmanian video games for free, with the program also including a retro games corner, a video game–themed cosplay competition, and a lineup of speakers to take the stage throughout the event.

Minister Ogilvie said the diversity of games on show symbolised the talent in Tasmania.

“This year’s showcase features games funded through Screen Tasmania’s Games Development program, such as Giant Margarita’s Golfle and Lindsay Mansfield’s Atlantic,” she said.

“The program also includes a dedicated Industry Day on Sunday 19 April, featuring panel discussions and talks from Australian and international industry experts.

“This year for Industry Day, we are thrilled to welcome games industry veteran David Gaider, Creative Director at Melbourne-based Summerfall Studios, among many other creatives.”

CEO of the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA), Ron Curry, said IGEA was proud to be supporting the second instalment of the event.

“IGEA is thrilled to support Level Up Tasmania to showcase highly talented and creative Tasmanian game development practitioners,” Mr Curry said.

“Bringing the games community together with the broader community will create many opportunities for the industry to learn, share and collaborate both now and in the future.”

President of Tas Game Makers and Co-founder of Secret Lab and Yarn Spinner, Dr Paris Buttfield-Addison, is looking forward to the showcase.

“Tasmania punches well above its weight in game development, and Level Up Tasmania is where that talent gets to step into the spotlight,” Dr Buttfield-Addison said.

“The event reminds me just how much creative energy exists on this island, giving developers at every stage of their career the visibility, connections and shared sense of community that turns a collection of passionate individuals into a real, sustainable industry.”

The Level Up Tasmania Video Game Showcase is presented by Screen Tasmania and financed with the assistance of Major Government Partner Screen Australia. The event is supported by City of Hobart, Secret Lab, Tas Game Makers, IGEA, Ionata, Apple Box Studio, Cam Rogers Legal, Ctrl Alt 3D, PW1, Intuit Technologies, Tasminé, Sush and Unreal Technologies.

The showcase will run at PW1 on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April 2026, with an Industry Day dedicated to industry development happening on Sunday 19 April 2026. Attendance is free, but registration is essential: www.screen.tas.gov.au/leveluptasmania